BALLYHOOLY GAA
Ballyhooly 1-14 Killavullen 0-8
Ballyhooly had a surprise but deserved 9 point win over neighbours Killavullen in an exciting and sporting 1st round junior a football c’ship game in Kildorrery on Saturday evening.
In ideal conditions for football on a well prepared pitch, Killavullen opened in whirlwind fashion and had 3 points on the board after 4 mins. Ballyhooly however kept their nerve, recovered their composure and got back into the game.
Midfielder Seamus Roche got us off the mark with a point in the 7th min, Jake Mehigan got no2 in the 11th min and Diarmuid Linehan had the Killavullen lead down to a single point when he pointed in the 16th min to leave the score 0-4 to 0-3.
Ballyhooly were now playing some lovely combined football and the next score to level the game came from Cathal O’Keeffe after a great move involving Jake and David O’Brien.
Ballyhooly with our two wing backs Darragh O’Reilly and Peter Ahern going forward at every opportunity and midfielders Seamus and Diarmuid doing well were the better team for the rest of the half and we led by 0-5 to 0-4 at the break – our 5th point came from a Cathal free after James Roche was fouled.
We also were unlucky with a few goal chances while at the other end goalkeeper and Captain Adrian O’Driscoll and the defence kept the Killavullen forwards at bay.
Killavullen again opened brightly after the break with two early points both from difficult angles on the right wing to regain the initiative. However, frees from Cathal and Fintan Linehan in the 32nd and 34th min put Ballyhooly ahead once more and a min later Darragh O’Reilly came forward from wing back to finish a move involving Fintan and Cathal.
Then in the 39th min came the vital goal – again Darragh won a ball in defence and headed goalwards evading a few tackles on the way, gave a cross-field ball to Emmet O’Riordan and he found Dylan Walsh in space in the opposite corner and Dylan first timed the ball to the net to put us 5 points clear 1-8 to 0-6.
Ballyhooly were now on top all over the field and they played some confident combined football for the rest of the game. Seamus Roche put Cathal through for point no9, Fintan pointed after Jake was fouled and Darragh put us 1-11 0-7 up after 47 mins.
At this stage Killavullen did put in a big effort but with Fergal O’Connor and his two corner backs Ml O’Connor and Fraech McGrath very alert and No 6 James Roche closing off the centre, the goal they now needed never came and points by Gerry O’Connor, Jake and Cathal in the final mins put the icing on the cake for Ballyhooly.
Well done – a great team effort from everyone. It can be difficult to balance hurling and football but Coach John Desmond and selectors Liam Dineen, Kevin Collins, Seamie Roche and Matthew O’Connor obviously have the balance okay in Ballyhooly at the moment.
This a very young team with many of them just out of minor ranks and the great coaching work put in by Joe Dowling and Ger Roche at underage level over the past few years is really paying off.
It is now back to hurling for the next few weeks and of course we will again face Killavullen in the hurling c’ship. Killavullen come into this game after a great year last year when they won the Co and Munster Junior B C’ship so they are sure to be formidable opponents.
Foireann: Adrian O’Driscoll, Ml O’Connor, Fergal O’Connell, Fraech McGrath, Peter Ahern, James Roche, Darragh O’Reilly, Diarmuid Linehan, Seamus Roche, Emmet O’Riordan, Cathal O’Keeffe, Fintan Linehan, Jake Mehigan, David O’Brien and Dylan Walsh. Fir ionaid a tháinigh isteach: Gerry O’Connor and Ml Hanrahan. Reiteoir: Justin Murphy (Castletownroche).
GOLF CLASSIC ON JUNE 15th
Our annual GAA Golf Classic in Fermoy Golf Club is eagerly looked forwarded to every year and is of course one of our main fundraisers. Jim McCarthy and his hardworking committee have organised this year’s Classic for Friday, June 15.
Once again, our generous sponsor is local Building Contractor Bertie Gowen and Gowen Construction. A team of 3 will cost €100 and the format is 3 Ball Champagne Scramble. We invite individuals or companies to sponsor a tee box for €50.
As usual there will be a special club draw, in conjunction with the classic with attractive prizes like €250 (sponsored by Toss Bryan, Fermoy), a Calor Gas barbecue etc.
This draw will be held at the ‘After Classic Presentation Party’ in the Roundy house on the night of the Classic. Ring Jim McCarthy at 087-2395784 for further information.
LOTTO JACKPOT NOW €2,600
Next draw for a jackpot of €2,600 will be in The Roundy House on Monday, May 21.
JOHN HARTNETT 10k
This very popular 10k race is now a regular on the calendar and is promoted and organised by the John Hartnett Committee in Ballyhooly and Grange AC. This year it is being run on Friday evening, May 25.
As well as being a very competitive fixture it is also a fun event and it is always great to see so many locals running.
John Hartnett’s exploits on the track at home and abroad were legendary and this year the organisers are hoping that he will again be present to present the prizes.
FIXTURE
Avondhu Junior A Hurling Championship: Ballyhooly v Killavullen in Castletownroche on Saturday, May 26 at 7.30pm.
Main club sponsor: The Roundy House, Ballyhooly.
