Ballinhassig return to senior camogie ranks after strong showing against Ballygarvan

Ballinhassig 2-11 

Ballygarvan 1-5 

Ballygarvan were crowned SE Systems Premier Intermediate champions in MTU as they overcame a Ballygarvan side losing in the final for the second year in row at MTU on Saturday.

This win sees them return to senior camogie next season.

It was very much a case of youth and experience for Hassig, with Eimear O'Sullivan, Ger and Catriona Collins, Deirdre Coomey and Niamh Sheehan blending with the younger brigade led by Millie Lombard and Grace Healy.

They showed their physical strength from the Hassig, despite playing against the wind, and hit the front quickly with an Aisling Lombard goal with their second attack. 

Catriona Collins converted a free before Ballygarvan opened their account with a Rachel O'Regan goal before Izzy O'Regan tied it up.

Ballinhassig were winning a lot of possession and Aisling Cussen’s pin-point pass to Catriona Collins, who off-loaded superbly for Grace Healy to finish to the net.

Hassig were on top around the centre and pumping ball to their inside line they add two points, through O'Sullivan and Lombard.

Cork star O'Regan was named at corner-forward but operating deep and Ballygarvan lacked a cutting edge. 

Aoife Ahern and Cliona O'Leary cancelled out two Collins frees and it was 2-6 to 1-4 at the interval.

Ballygarvan narrowed the gap with a Michaela Buckley point but it was to be their only score of the second half. 

Collins struck twice in response and with their defence superbly marshalled by captain Triona Healy, Millie Lombard and Cussen, there was no way through a solid Ballinhassig defence.

Ger Collins stretched the lead to seven with 15 left. Ballygarvan had now moved O'Regan out further and began to get ball to their inside line. Sarah Leahy had to make a good save as their Carrigdhoun rivals battled to the end. 

Former Cork All-Ireland winner Eimear O'Sullivan slammed over two more points to huge cheers from the Ballinhassig followers as they went nine points clear. 

They held that lead to ensure the Nano Nagle Cup was on its way to Ballinhassig and promotion to senior for 2027.

Healy led by example at full-back and her display earned her The Echo Player of the Match accolade.

Scorers for Ballinhassig: C Collins 0-5 (0-3 f), A Lombard, G Healy 1-1 each, E O'Sullivan 0-3, G Collins 0-1.

Ballygarvan: R O'Regan 1-0, C O'Leary 0-2 f, I O'Regan, A Ahern, M Buckley 0-1 each.

BALLINHASSIG: S Leahy; M Healy, T Healy (c), A Casey; A Cottrell, M Lombard, A Cussen; E Casey, E Collins; D Coomey, E O'Sullivan, G Healy; E Jordan, C Collins, A Lombard.

Subs: G Collins for D Coomey (42), E Deasy for A Casey (46), N Sheehan for E Jordan (52), C Crowley for G Healy (57), F Cullinane for E Casey (58), M O'Sullivan for M Healy (46).

BALLYGARVAN: S Ahern; K Kelleher, E O'Regan, E Casey; A Bowen, C O'Leary (c), S J Brady; E Kelleher, L Casey; M Buckley, A Ahern, H Sweeney; I O'Regan, A Browne, R O'Regan.

Subs: S O'Donovan for R O'Regan (38), N Crowley for E Casey (40), T Crowley for H Sweeney (48), A Cotter for C O'Leary (56).

Referee: Cathan Treacy (Nemo Rangers).