Ballyhea are a 'proud senior club' for another season after shrewd approach against Fermoy

Nobody wants to be in a relegation playoff. But no one would have downplayed the stakes between Ballyhea and Fermoy as they fought to stay in the Senior A championship in Kildorrery on Saturday. It had the air of a county final, however unwanted.

Once the brief kerfuffle between the teams that started at the game’s conclusion had fizzled out, both camps felt the consequences. While Fermoy were dejected – heartbroken at the outcome – Ballyhea were elated. There was delight – that of a county title – but here it was mixed with relief and emotional exhaustion, after the hour of war they had fought with their Avondhu rivals. 

Ballyhea had poured everything into reaching the finish line and Eugene O’Leary’s goal had dragged them over it. Manager Noel Hanley and his son, full-forward Tom – whose four points had done so much to keep them up – embraced one another. Management, players and supporters shared in it.

“To be honest, these lads have absolutely given us everything the whole year,” said selector Johnny O’Callaghan. 

We had a tough group and we've had a huge amount of injuries throughout the season, to be honest. But they kept at it and they kept believing.

“That's why we love Ballyhea here and that's why we're a very proud senior club. And we're delighted to be back there again for 2027.

“I thought our lads stood up really well today. I thought we managed the game a lot better as well today,” O’Callaghan remarked. “We just worked our way through different phases and we got off to a great start.

“But in fairness to Fermoy, they threw everything at us. It was a fantastic game, to be honest.

“I'm thrilled more for the players than anything else, because they've absolutely given us everything. We're very proud of them.” 

Shrewd

A senior club since 2015, that will go on, deservedly so. Their tactical approach worked a treat in the first half, as the double sweeper forced Fermoy to push up on one and create a four-man half-forward line. It gave Ballyhea far greater control across the first period, and they made it count.

“Tactics-wise, we kind of got it right as well today,” O’Callaghan continued. “Very pleased overall, we got some great scores.

“We said to Eugene [O’Leary] at half-time to go at them, and he had a great chance and he stuck a great goal for us. We showed great belief and great spirit today.” 

Their work-rate across the hour was phenomenal.

“That's what it is. I think we had something like 19 tackles in the first half, that makes all the difference. You have to win your own battle.

The work-rate, the belief, the communication all across the pitch was actually top class today.” 

All throughout the grades, the gaps between teams is minimal. It means that, for Senior A, a side like Castlelyons who reached last year’s county final can see themselves eliminated at the group stage the very next year.

“All the teams are exceptionally close,” O’Callaghan added. “I suppose if you look at even last night there, Na Piarsaigh and Carrigtwohill, what an absolutely amazing game of hurling.

“Fermoy put up a great performance against Na Piarsaigh. There's very little between the teams. We're thrilled, we're relieved, no question about that, but we'll look forward now to next year. We have a couple of younger lads coming through and we'll drive on again.” 

Driving on

While one certain crop of young lads may be far down the pipeline of bolstering Ballyhea’s senior squad, their U16 – amalgamated with Milford – brought down Midleton in the P1 semi-final before eventually losing out to Ballinora in the decider. Despite the defeat, it was a fantastic campaign from the team, and offers plenty of promise for the future.

“It's great that the U16s were in the Premier 1 final, and our minors drew the other night and they're back in the semi-final of North Cork, so we'll drive on again!”