Barryroe crowned champions

Blues make light of horrible weather to clinch junior title

Barryroe 0-14

Kilbrittain 0-6

 WEST CORK GAEL REPORTS

BARRYROE were crowned worthy RCM Tarmacadam South West junior C hurling champions at their home venue last Friday night following a deserved eight-point victory against Kilbrittain.

Considering the torrential rain cascading down throughout, the standard of hurling stood up remarkably well, as Barryroe fielded their second string, while the black and amber paraded a third selection.

Having comprehensively seen off the challenge of both neighbours Ballinascarthy and Argideen Rangers en route to this final showdown, Barryroe came into the match as warm favourites. 

While the Blues duly prevailed, a spirited Kilbrittain never gave up the ghost, particularly thanks to a strong showing by their outstanding midfielder Conor Moloney and tenacious defending by their defence, with goalkeeper Lloyd McSweeney, Dave O’Sullivan, Eoin Hurley, Sean O’Connell and Paudie Hurley playing starring roles. 

However at the other end of the pitch, Barryroe’s defence was in mean mode also, Donal O’Leary outstanding at corner back, the vastly experienced Ger Coleman a dominant centre back and Shane O’Driscoll together with Conor O’Regan completing a formidable half-back division.

Stephen Hayes hit two Kilbrittain frees early on, but thanks to good play from Denis Harrington and Sean Holland, Harrington opened the Barryroe account in the ninth minute. As conditions deteriorated further, captain Jerome O’Brien was unerring for the Blues, converting a trio of frees between the 12th and 18th minutes pushing the victors into a lead, 0-4 to 0-2, that they never relinquished. 

Clive Cahalane around the middle third and Killian Lawton and Matt O’Regan were now blending in sweetly and by the interval Barryroe held a double scores advantage, 0-6 to 0-3.

Gamely, Kilbrittain took the battle to their opponents on resuming, but while their defence and midfield continued to perform satisfactorily, up front a marked lack of scoring prowess and penetration was beginning to prove a major problem. Harrington and O’Brien extended the Barryroe advantage as they led 0-10 to 0-3 by the close of the third quarter.

With Kearney, Cahalane, Harrington, Holland, Dave Kiely and defenders Gerry Crowley and Peter Keohane now really on song, Barryroe could afford the luxury of empting a strong substitutes’ bench, the game done and dusted well before Conor Moloney got two consolation Kilbrittain points in the final few minutes. 

Joe Crowley, chairman of the South West Board, presented the cup to a delighted Jerome O’Brien, captain of Barryroe, after the match.

Scorers

Barryroe: Jerome O’Brien 0-6f; Denis Harrington 0-4; Sean Holland 0-3; Ted Kearney 0-1.

Kilbrittain: Stephen Hayes 0-3f; Conor Moloney 0-2; Sean Coughlan 0-1.

Barryroe: Billy O’Donovan; Gerry Crowley, Peter Keohane, Donal O’Leary; Conor O’Regan, Ger Coleman, Shane O’Driscoll; Dave Kiely, Clive Cahalane; Killian Lawton, Sean Holland, Jerome O’Brien; Matt O’Regan, Denis Harrington, Ted Kearney.

Subs used: Kevin O’Donovan, Kevin McCarthy, Conor Tyndall, Patrick Fleming, Matthew Sexton.

Kilbrittain: Lloyd McSweeney; Dave O’Sullivan, Eoin Hurley, Sean O’Connell; Michael Crowley, Paudie Hurley, Jerry Coughlan; James Hurley, Conor Moloney; Stephen Hayes, Dave McSweeney, John Dollard; Gary Hayes, Declan Moloney, Seán Coughlan.

Subs used: Anthony O’Regan for O’Connell (inj, 35), Tadhg O’Mahony for Declan Moloney (46).

Referee: John Crowley (O’Donovan Rossa).