Castlelyons condemn Ballyhea to Senior A Hurling relegation decider

Castlelyons 3-23 Ballyhea 0-20 

Castlelyons concluded their Co-Op Superstores Cork SAHC with victory over Ballyhea in Mallow on Saturday, the 12-point winning margin securing them third position in Group 1, and while they exit the championship there are no relegation fears.

Ballyhea, however, who were without Pa O’Callaghan after he sustained a broken kneecap in the last round against Blarney, must win the relegation final against Fermoy to save their status.

The winners proved that goals win matches. They registered twice in the opening half from Anthony Spillane and Olan Lenehan to lead by seven at the break. 

And with the margin reduced to five points in the 50th minute, a late flurry including a green flag from distance by leading scorer and free-taker Alan Fenton clinched the deal.

They made the best possible start when Anthony Spillane struck in the fourth minute. A second Castlelyons goal in the 11th minute established more daylight when a Colm Spillane clearance was finished by Olan Lenehan.

By contrast, Ballyhea couldn’t find the net. The closest they got was in the 20th minute when they were denied by Jamie O’Leary, and later the Castlelyons defence had to be at their best again.

The East Cork side had most of the spadework done by the change of ends, 2-13 to 0-12.

They moved 10 points ahead early in the second half but Ballyhea wouldn’t relent and proceeded to outscore Castlelyons six points to one between the 37th and 50th minute with all six white flags from the stick of main talisman Patrick Daly, 2-17 to 0-18. The lead now down to five.

Breathing space came from Jamie O’Leary and Colm Spillane, epitomising the winners' overall resilience.

They finished on a roll, 1-4 to 0-1. Fenton’s goal from distance, which deceived Browne, the final blow in the 57th minute.

Scorers for Castlelyons: A Fenton 1-8 (1-3 f), A Spillane 1-2, O Lenehan 1-1, K O’Leary 0-3, J Kearney, O Hallihan, C Spillane 0-2 each, E Maye, J O’Leary, D Morrisson 0-1 each.

Ballyhea: P Daly 0-15 (0-13 f, 0-2 65), Tiernan Hanley 0-3, E O’Leary 0-2.

CASTLELYONS: J Barry; J O’Leary, C Barry, D Spillane; S Moroney, C Spillane, N O’Leary; J Kearney (c), A Fenton; K O’Leary, L Doocey, E Maye; O Lenehan, A Spillane, O Hallihan.

Subs: S Cotter for K O’Leary (35 inj), D Morrisson for E Maye (bs 35-38), D Morrisson for L Doocey (47), B Murphy for O Lenehan (55), B Spillane for E Maye (60).

BALLYHEA: M Browne; A Barrett, L Hanley, D Crowley; C Crowley, Tom Hanley (c), Tiernan Hanley; M O’Sullivan, W Carroll; J Morrissey, C Cox, E O’Leary; P Daly, G Morrissey, K Morrissey.

Subs: J Hickey for G Morrissey (h-t), J Lynch for C Cox (45), D Copps for K Morrissey (50), M Mortell for E O’Leary (53).

Referee: Dave Daly (Brian Dillons).