RedFM Hurling League Division 7: Subs give Barryroe the edge over Ballinora
Barryroe celebrate their win over Ballinora in Saturday's RedFM Hurling League Division 7 final at Newcestown. Picture: Jim Coughlan
Impact from the bench was a key plank of victory for Barryroe as they claimed the RedFM Hurling League Division 7 title at Newcestown on Saturday evening.
The Carbery club won a first piece of adult hurling silverware since the 2007 JAHC as the scored the last three points, all three coming from substitutes as part of a 1-6 total from players introduced in the second half.
The goal, from Ryan O’Donovan on 39 minutes, had given them the edge coming down the stretch but Ballinora swung things back their way as Mike Lordan’s good delivery allowed Ciarán O’Donoghue to set up Conor Quirke for a blistering strike to the net – 1-13 to 1-12 with five minutes of normal time left.
However, last year’s beaten junior A finalists missed chances to extend that advantage and Olan O’Donovan levelled for Barryroe before Conor O’Regan put them back in front – he was unlucky not to goal.
The possibility of extra time loomed large but an equaliser was elusive for Ballinora and O’Regan again went close at the other end, denied by a Donnchadh Murphy save, before Ryan O’Donovan made sure of the win with a clinching point.
In testing conditions, there was never much to separate the sides. Centre-back James Lordan was to the fore as Ballinora responded to an early two-point deficit by pushing 0-5 to 0-3 ahead, with Alan O’Shea on song from dead balls.
However, foreshadowing later travails, they failed to take the chance to establish more of an advantage and Barryroe came back well in the closing stages of the first half, frees from Adam McSweeney drawing them level before Quirke sent Ballinora in with a 0-7 to 0-6 lead.
Goal chances were at a premium in the opening period – the closest either side came was a half-chance for O’Shea, bravely blocked by Jerome O’Brien – but after the first two points of the second half were shared, Barryroe found the net.
While Ryan O’Donovan – impressive for Carbery footballers the night before – was the man to finish it just after his arrival, his near-namesake Brian O’Donovan deserved much credit, alert to intercept a Ballinora sideline cut and then providing the pass to set up the chance.
It left them 1-8 to 0-9 ahead but O’Shea and James Lordan tied the game again and matters remained tight.
Two from Olan O’Donovan had Barryroe 1-12 to 0-13 in front Quirke gave Ballinora the upper hand again but Barryroe had the stronger finish.
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