Sheedy swings Junior B final for Bantry Blues

CARBERY JBHC FINAL

BANTRY BLUES 1-17

BALLINASCARTHY 1-12

BY TOM LYONS

IT takes a team effort to win a game but when you have a player like Jack Sheedy on your side, it all becomes so much easier.

This was not a one-man show by any means from Bantry, they had heroes all over the pitch, but when a player contributes 0-14 from a total of 1-17, especially in a final, then that player certainly deserves special recognition.  Young Jack Sheedy was a class apart in this game, five superb points from play, lovely touches and nine points from frees – this final will always be remembered as Jack Sheedy’s final.

Bantry Blues' Jack Sheedy goes past Ballinascarthy's Ruairi O'Brien to put the ball over for a point during the RCM Tarmacadam JBHC final. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Bantry Blues entered this Carbery JBHC final in Skibbereen on Saturday as solid favourites against Ballinascarthy’s second string, who had surprised many by progressing this far in the championship. And, for 45 minutes, Bal gave as good as they got – possibly the more accomplished hurlers – in a highly entertaining encounter.

When Ballinascarthy drew level in the 45th minute with a Cathal Nyhan kicked goal, having trailed by six points after 26 minutes, it seemed they had the momentum to carry them to a surprise win. But it was then Bantry, with a number of senior footballers involved, showed their character. Led by the unstoppable Sheedy, they lifted their game.

Five unanswered points in the final quarter, four from Sheedy, saw the Dave Walsh Cup heading for the seaside town for the first time since 2019.

‘It hasn’t been easy to win this championship,’ admitted a delighted Bantry manager, Conor Cronin. ‘A lot of these lads are involved with the intermediate football team due to play the county final but they’re a great bunch and gave great commitment to the hurling this year.

‘We were well up for this final. We played well in the first half but seemed to lose our way in the third quarter. When they drew level we seemed to be in trouble but the lads really lifted their game after that and deserved their win.’

There was nothing between the teams in the opening 10 minutes, Sheedy hitting three points for the Blues, one free, with Ballinascarthy responding through Cathal Nyhan and a Ciarán Deasy free. With Padraic Cullinane, Dean Harte, and Ryan Cullinane hurling well in defence, and Tristan and David Walsh winning a lot of ball at midfield, Bal were looking the tidier hurlers but they were dealt a big blow in the 10th minute when Bantry’s Arthur Coakley deflected a high ball to the Bal net to give his side a four-point lead.

That goal swung the momentum and over the next 15 minutes Blues outscore Ballinascarthy by five points to three. With Tim Cronin, Jimmy O’Leary, Eoghan Minihane, and Connie O’Leary prominent in defence, four of the Bantry scores came from Sheehy (three frees), and Paddy Cronin, while Eoghan O’Driscoll (play and free), and Deasy scored Ballinascarthy’s points.

Six points in front, Bantry looked in control but in the five minutes before the break, Ballinascarthy scored with four points in a row Deasy with two frees and one from play, and Aaron Ryan also splitting the posts.

The game was back in the melting point at half-time, 1-8 to 0-9.

The second half began with Sheedy resuming his scoring exploits, with two frees and a score from play. Dara McCarthy also got in on the scoring act with a Bantry point. Brave Bal stayed in touch with points from Cian Ryan and Tristan Walsh. With Aaron Ryan, O’Driscoll, Deasy and Nyhan making headway up front, it was Bal who looked to be getting on top as the third quarter drew to a close and when Deasy pointed a free, followed by a kicked goal from Cathal Nyhan in the 45th minute, the sides were level, 1-12 each, and the tension was really mounting.

Again, it was Sheedy who took centre stage while the McCarthy brothers, Robyn and Dara, and the three O’Learys, Jimmie, Connie, and Seanie all came to the fore for Bantry.

Ballinascarthy weren’t to score again as Sheedy, who proved he was mortal by missing a couple of frees, rifled over four points, three from frees, with Paddy Cronin adding one from play as Bantry ran out 1-17 to 1-12 winners.

‘We have brought a few young lads through in the past two years and they have made a difference. Cill Mochomóg in underage has been good for us. Young Jack Sheedy is a special talent and hopefully he will be on the radar of the Carbery hurling selectors and get a run next season,’ said Cronin.

‘We haven’t even thought of the county championship, we were concentrating completely on winning this one. Bal have a great team and we knew we’d have our work cut out. This win should prove a great incentive to our footballers in the county final against Cill na Martra. We’ll celebrate tonight, delighted with the win.’

Scorers for Bantry Blues: Jack Sheedy 0-14 (9f), Arthur Coakley 1-0, Paddy Cronin 0-2, Dara McCarthy 0-1.

Scorers for Ballinascarthy: Ciarán Deasy 0-6 (5f), Cathal Nyhan 1-1, Eoghan O’Driscoll 0-2 (1f), Tristan Walsh, Cian Ryan, Aaron Ryan 0-1 each.

Bantry Blues: Alan O’Sullivan, Killian O’Sullivan, Jimmy O’Leary, Eoghan Minihane, Robyn McCarthy, Connie McCarthy, Conor Cronin, Dara McCarthy, Michael O’Donovan, Jack Sheedy, Jack McCarthy, Shane Keevers, Stephen Cronin, Arthur Coakley, Paddy Cronin. Subs used: Seánie O’Leary for M. O’Donovan (half time), Daniel Murray for S. Keevers (50).

Ballinascarthy: Joe Ryan, Keith Nyhan, Padraic Cullinane, Dean Harte, Ruairí O’Brien, Ryan O’Flynn, Colm O’Donovan, Tristan Walsh, David Walsh, Ciarán Deasy, Aaron Ryan, Eoghan O’Driscoll, Cian Ryan, Cathal Nyhan, Tadhg O’Neill. Subs used: Dave O’Flynn for C. O’Donovan (51). Referee: Anthony O’Regan, Kilbrittain.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

Our Star: No arguing here as this was Jack Sheedy’s final, the Bantry forward registering 0-14, five from play, in a superb display.

Star Moment: Arthur Coakley’s deflected goal in the 10th minute was a big boost to the Bantry side.

Talking point: Plenty here to chew on. Sheedy’s display of scoring, Bal’s fightback, Bantry’s strong last quarter, Eamonn McCarthy winning a medal alongside his two sons and the three O’Learys of Whiddy all starring as their more famous cousin, Tadhg Furlong, ran out of luck in Paris.

What Next? Bantry face the county premier intermediate football final against Cill na Martra on Sunday, October 29th, before the hurlers play the Muskerry winners in the county championship.