Ballinahinch on cusp of quick Intermediate return

GAA: FBD Insurance County Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Ballinahinch 4-14

Holycross/Ballycahill 1-13

Report: Michael Dundon in Annacarty

Relegated last year, Ballinahinch look likely candidates for a quick return to the intermediate grade on the form shown as they saw off the challenge of Holycross-Ballycahill in the County Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship semi-final on Saturday.

This was a quality performance from the North champions and with their vast experience and depth of talent, it is going to take a very strong side to stop them adding the DP Walshe Cup to their sideboard for 2023.

From as early as the eighth minute, Ballinahinch looked likely winners. They were 0-3 to 0-1 ahead when John Foley scored their first goal and when he added another two minutes later, Ballinahinch were coasting and Holycross-Ballycahill were in deep trouble,

The Mid runners-up were not helped by their poor finishing. They had eleven wides in the first half, erring from both play and frees, wasting chances they could ill-afford to miss against such strong opposition. Paraic Russell was their best forward and he sent wide in the twelfth minute when they badly needed a goal.

To rub salt into the wound, Ballinahinch bagged a third goal after nineteen minutes when Brendan Ryan made no mistake. At the interval, Ballinahinch led 3-8 to 0-6 and one could not envisage them being beaten, Holycross brought on Tossy Comerford just before the break and his free-taking was to be their main source of scores from that to the finish.

An early Jack Skehan point hinted at a Holycross resurgence on resuming but this never materialised. Stephen Flanagan did have a goal chance for them at the three quarters stage as they trailed 0-9 to 3-10 but did not avail of it. A goal then might have revived their challenge which was petering out as time progressed.

Instead Ballinahinch had a fourth goal after 55 minutes when Alan Kelly marked his arrival into the action with a well-taken green flag to send Ballinahinch supporters home in optimistic mood ahead of the county final against Clonoulty/Rossmore who defeated JK Brackens in the other semi-final.

By any measure this was an impressive showing from Ballinahinch and if they can reproduce this level of performance in the final against Clonoulty/Rossmore, they will take some stopping. They are strong in all departments with plenty of scoring options up front. In this regard, John Foley, a late call-up to the starting line, made a big impression with two first half goals that sent his side on their way. However, it was the work of Davy Gleeson in attack which was most eye-catching, and he was involved in most of his side’s attacks. Further back Shane McGrath’s experience and quality showed through in a sweeping role in a defence where Karl Kelly and Joey Kelly also shone.

No one could fault Holycross-Ballycahill for effort, but they could not match the quality of their rivals and the number of chances wasted was also undermining confidence, sixteen wides in all. Pa O’Dwyer, Stephen Ryan, Tony Leahy, Paraic Russell, Eanna Ryan and Tomas Comerford were most prominent for them.

Player of the Match: Davy Gleeson (Ballinahinch)

Ballinahinch: Darragh McGrath (6); Adam Ryan (6), Kevin Fitzpatrick (6), Cathal Ryan P (6); Karl Kelly (0-2, 7), Joey Kelly (0-1, 6), Shane McGrath (8); Brian Keane (6), James Lynch (6); Ger Grace (0-1, 6), Davy Gleeson (0-2, 9), Paddy Kelly (7); John Foley (2-1, 8), Brendan Ryan (1-5, 1-4f, 8), Evan Kearns (0-2, 6).

Subs: Alan Kelly (1-0, 6) for Kearns (45); Dave Ryan (6) for Foley (55); Niall Harrington (NR) for K Kelly (57).

Holycross/Ballycahill: James O’Dwyer (6); Sean McGrath (6), Eddie O’Gorman (6), Michael Harty (6); Eoin Morris (6), Pa O’Dwyer (7), Stephen Ryan (7); James Doyle (0-1, 6), Tony Leahy (7); Eanna Ryan (6), Stephen Flanagan (0-4f, 6), Jamie Lee Dwan (6); Paraic Russell (0-3, 7), Jack Skehan (0-1, 6), Audie Lohan (6).

Subs: Tomas Comerford (1-4, 1-0 pen, 0-3f 8) for Lohan (30); David Manning (6) for Harty (38); Frank Hanafin (6) for Russell (55); John Dunne (6) for S Ryan (56).

Referee: Donie Horan (Golden Kilfeacle).