Ballinahinch goals prove fatal to Holycross Ballycahill effort in Junior A semi-final

FBD Insurance Junior A Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Ballinahinch 4-14

Holyross Ballycahill 1-13

By Michael Dundon

Conceding three first-half goals scuppered Holycross Ballycahill’s chances of reaching the FBD Insurance Junior A Hurling Championship Final as they shipped a heavy defeat at the hands of Ballinahinbch in the county semi-final at Annacarty on Saturday.

Runners-up in the Mid, Holycross-Ballycahill were hoping to get their hands on some silverware via the county series but they were outplayed by a serious Ballinahinch outfit that will take some beating.

Holycross were on the back foot from the start. Though Stephen Flanagan gave them an early lead with a point, Ballinahinch whipped over three in reply before, in the 8th minute, John Foley finished a Brian Keane delivery to the net. Two minutes later Foley bagged his second goal from a Ger Grace pass, and Holycross were in trouble.

Paraic Russell, their best forward, had a goal chance for Holycross but was off target, and with Ballinahinch growing in confidence as the game progressed, and Holycross having problems with their shooting, a third Ballinahinch goal after 19 minutes from Brendan Ryan put the North champions 3-5 to 0-4 clear and on their way to the final.

At the break, Ballinahinch led 3-8 to 0-6, eleven first-half wides not helping the Mid challengers, who saw a possible reviving goal chance for Stephen Flanagan go astray at the three-quarter stage as they trailed 0-10 to 3-10. What a goal then might have done for them is anybody’s guess. Instead, it was Ballinahinch who got a goal, Alan Kelly taking his chance confidently in the 55th minute.

Holycross eventually got the goal they needed so much earlier on when Tomas Comerford converted a penalty in the 57th minute, too late to influence the outcome.

Ballinahinch were worthy winners and look like a side capable of making a speedy return to intermediate ranks having been relegated last year. There is a wealth of experience in the team with former county star Shane McGrath a commanding influence tidying up the loose ends in defence and delivering quality ball to his attack. Joey and Karl Kelly, Davy Gleeson, and Brendan Ryan were other key players for them.

Had Holycross been more clinical in their finishing they might have upset their rivals but the concession of the first-half goals was their undoing and they were playing catch-up from an early stage. Pa O Dwyer, Stephen Ryan, Paraic Russell, Eanna Ryan, and Tomas Comerford when introduced were foremost for them on a day when they were not at their best.

Ballinahinch: Darragh McGrath; Adam Ryan, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Cathal Ryan P; Karl Kelly (0-2), Joey Kelly (0-1), Shane McGrath; Brian Keane, James Lynch; Ger Grace (0-1), Davy Gleeson (0-2), Paddy Kelly; John Foley (2-1), Brendan Ryan (1-5, 1-4f), Evan Kearns (0-2). 

Subs used: Alan Kelly (1-0) for Kearns (45); Dave Ryan for  Foley (55); Niall Harrington for K Kelly (57).

Holycross Ballycahill: James O Dwyer; Sean McGrath, Eddie O’Gorman, Michael Harty; Eoin Morris, Pa O’Dwyer, Stephen Ryan; James Doyle (0-1), Tony Leahy; Eanna Ryan, Stephen Flanagan (0-4f), Jamie Lee Dwan; Paraic Russell (0-3), Jack Skehan (0-1), Audie Lohan.

Subs used: Tomas Comerford (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-4f) for Lohan (30); David Manning for Harty (38); Frank Hanafin for Russell (55); John Dunne for S Ryan (56).

Referee: Donie Horan (Golden Kilfeacle)