Tame exit from Championship

Castlelyons 0-16 Ballinhassig 0-24

Well defeat was our lot in Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday as once again we surrendered tamely to Ballinhassig in the Premier Intermediate Championship.  We were looking forward to this for a while as our form was indifferent all season but like some county teams there is always a game in our lads and if there was ever an example fire and commitment we had an example of it in Kilworth in the proceeding game as they overturned a seven-point deficit against Valley Rovers into victory.  Well done to Kilworth.

However back to our own game.  We started so well scoring 0-11 in 19 minutes as the points flowed to lead 0-11 to 0-5 as A Spillane had 0-5, A O Sullivan 0-2, Jack Barry 0-2, Ml Spillane 0-1, and even Tom Carroll landed a mighty 0-1 as he made his way from the backs. During this period Ballinhassig had 0-5 on the board and we led by seven points.  Then for the concluding 11 minutes of the 1st half we just managed 0-1 as Ballinhassig began to taken over in so many departments so much so that they scored 0-7 in 11 minutes before the short whistle.  Jack Barry had a mighty catch and scored our sole 0-1 from the wing during that period and A O Sullivan ran at them but had his shot saved for a ’65 which went wide after.  Half time and it was 0-12 apiece but we need to rearrange badly.

We did this and difference in body language coming out for the second half was noticeable as Ballinhassig roared through the doorjambs.  Castlelyons started the second half with two changes as Ciarán McGann, who had the shingles during the week came off and Phillip Mahon was replaced.  We just managed 0-1 from play and 0-3 frees, a total of 0-4 versus Ballinhassig’s 0-12.  We all know that just a point from play will in a half an over will not win anything for you. This was disappointing as Eoin Maye who came on for Phillip Mahon just lasted 12 minutes as he went into the game suffering from an ankle injury.  It is appreciated we were under pressure but we double marked the centre forward leaving Ballinhassig with a sweeper at the back as their midfield pairing of Shane McCarthy and Cian O Mahony put in a massive display.  This meant that we were in the very same trap as last year. Shane Moroney came on for Jack Barry, injured and Keith O Leary for Aidan O Sullivan both late in the game.

Shane O Sullivan had a good game for us between the posts and nothing past him. Colm Barry was outstanding at full back and might I say again showing his credentials as county material should he be fully fit and clear of injury.  Jack Barry also showed some great touches and got a few nice scores as he continues to improve this year.  Anthony Spillane had another great game as he accounted for 0-9 of our total. Indeed, all the lads give it their all but this fell short.  Some injuries, recent holidays and the loss of hard men like Leo Sexton, Colm Spillane and Darragh Lawlor was another issue.  Overall we were closer this year and hopefully we will continue this improvement. Thanks to Mick Spillane and his selectors and no doubt there will be a review and hopefully next year may be our year.

Team: - Shane O Sullivan, Brian Carroll, Colm Barry, Declan Varner, Ciarán McGann, Cian O Leary, Tom Carroll, Niall O Leary, Phillip Mahon, Jack Barry, Anthony Spillane, Michael Spillane, Jamie O Leary, Aidan O Sullivan and Alan Fenton.  Subs: - Eoin Barry, Alan O Regan, Liam Maye, Declan Sexton, Robbie Feeney, Keith O Leary, Eoin Maye, Ronan Bransfield, Shame Moroney, Michael John Dorgan and Ronan O Regan. Other (Shane Moroney for Jack Barry, inj), (Keith O Leary for A O Sullivan, inj)

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