Ciarán Joyce's new position helps Castlemartyr get past Ballinhassig: 'It worked for us today'

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PIHC: Mike Kelly drives Castlemartyr to four-point win over Ballinhassig

Castlemartyr showed their championship credentials on Sunday afternoon in the Co-Op SuperStores PIHC at Páirc Uí Rinn.

After their defeat first day out in Group 2, the Imokilly team responded here with a deserved 2-19 to 2-15 success over Ballinhassig.

They curbed the threat of a Ballinhassig side who were so impressive in their opening round victory over Ballincollig.

All four teams in this particular group have one win apiece going into the final round of group games.

Castlemartyr meet Ballincollig in just under three weeks’ time while Ballinhassig take on Kilworth. Knockout championship hurling at its best.

“It’s a massive win for us,” Castlemartyr manager Donal Burke said after the four-point win over Ballinhassig.

“We were very disappointed last time out in our defeat against Kilworth. The conditions probably did play a major factor in the whole thing. It does put you under pressure when you don’t win your first round, but we are an experienced bunch at this stage.

“We knew today was huge, if we lost we would have been in real trouble. We have football championship next week, but now we are talking about going back Thursday and doing some hurling as well.

“A win brings huge positivity to the set-up especially when you win like the way we did this afternoon. Ballinhassig are a fine side. We have had great battles with them over the years, so we would consider this a massive win.” 

Castlemartyr pushed Cork star Ciarán Joyce into the half-forward department against Ballinhassig. He ended up with two points and was very effective overall.

“During the last game against Kilworth, we actually thought about moving Ciarán Joyce from defence into the forward area,” Burke says.

“We didn’t do it at the time, but after losing, we definitely thought about it. He was named at centre-back in the programme today, but the intention was always to push him up. He made a huge impact on the game. He got a couple of points and won seven or eight frees.

“When the pressure did come on us there at the end, we decided to revert him back to his normal position. It worked for us today, some days it will, other days it won’t.” 

Two fantastic goals from Jack and Billy McGann were crucial as it pushed Castlemartyr eight points clear with 11 minutes remaining. The green flags proved important as when Ballinhassig did make a comeback, the team in red and white had done enough to see it out.

“Castlemartyr down through the years are always associated with playing through the lines. A similar style to maybe the Cork senior hurlers. We worked the ball through the lines very well especially in the second half.

“We decided to move Joe Stack out to the half-forward line for puckouts and he won a lot of ball. The goals then for us were massive considering that we were playing against the wind.

“When you score, you don’t want to concede straightaway. Unfortunately Brian Lawton spilled the ball into our net. We managed to keep Ballinhassig at arms-length though."

Castlemartyr will go into their season-defining game high in confidence against Ballincollig. It’s quite simple, the winners will qualify for the knockout stages, the losers will bow out of the championship.

“This group is dubbed the group of death. It’s obviously very interesting now. Everyone will be going at it now. We are all on two points in the group. It’s all to play for.” Burke ended.