BY JJ HURLEY

THE Carrigdhoun programme is starting to heat up as we reach the business end of the season, with the top teams now in view to claim the biggest prizes. One of those teams not just expected to challenge for silverware in the division, but also on the county stage, Ballygarvan, was given a fright at the weekend.

Taking on neighbours Ballymartle in the Procure.ie South East Junior A Semi-Final, last year’s beaten county finalists were pushed all the way.

It was the Riverstick outfit that held the upper hand at the interval, leading by six points to five, with Cork U20 hurler Ryan Deasy proving he also possesses strong West Cork connections.

With Ballygarvan under pressure, they introduced some of their heavy hitters, including Kevin Lyons and the O’Connor brothers, Evan and Dylan.

Two goals between the 35th and 40th minutes, from Evan O’Connor and Daniel O’Mahony, suggested the contest was over – but Ballymartle battled back. They levelled the game on 50 minutes, thanks in no small measure to a Ryan Deasy goal supplied by the hard-working Simon Dorney. Eventually getting their noses back in front, the favourites for the Pad Joe Cronin Cup held on for a 2-11 to 1-12 victory.

Waiting to meet them in the final is Carrigaline in what will be a repeat of last year’s decider – a game in which Ballygarvan eased to victory.

Carrigaline will be hoping for a stronger performance as they try to claim a title they have not held on the Crosshaven Road since 1992.

It was a workmanlike display that saw them overcome a young Shamrocks side, who had 10 players aged 21 or younger.

While the scoring possibly didn’t reflect the closeness of the game (2-13 to 2-8), the Shamrocks goals were well taken by Roy Twomey and Andrew O’Grady.

Carrigaline, for their part, sealed the deal with a late Kieran Kavanagh goal on 32 minutes, having led by just two points at that stage. The victory came on a bittersweet weekend as their footballers lost out to Newcestown on penalties in the McCarthy Group Insurance Senior A Quarter-Final.

Next weekend sees the return of the hurlers for the semi-finals of the Ross Oil South East Junior A Hurling Championship.

Belgooly play Valley Rovers in Shanbally on Sunday at 4.00pm. Preceding that fixture, the recently installed favourites for the competition, Kinsale, will take on Ballymartle in Minane Bridge at 1.30pm.

While we await the winners to see who makes up the pairing for this year’s South East Junior A Final, Ballygarvan ladies are also looking forward to their appearance in the SE Systems Premier Intermediate Camogie Final on October 11th at Castleroad.

The ladies will face Ballincollig, who knocked out Newcestown after extra time.

For the Ballygarvan girls, victory came after overcoming their near-neighbours, Ballinhassig, on Saturday in a game that went right down to the wire. With only a point separating the sides, Ballygarvan’s standout players were Sarah Ahern, Rachel O’Regan and team captain Catriona Kelly.

Also heading to a county final are the girls from Sliabh Rua, who powered past Sarsfields at Kerry Pike on Saturday in the SE Systems Intermediate Championship. The Clontead side, unbeaten in this year’s championship, ran out winners on a scoreline of 4-15 to 2-18, though their mentors will be concerned by the number of frees they conceded.

While their opponents have yet to be decided, the final is scheduled for October 19th.