WITH the Ballinascarthy hurling and camogie teams both playing huge finals on Sunday, October 19th, fixture clashes were inevitable for families wanting to attend both games. In the end, both Bal teams triumphed, delivering a memorable day for the parish.

The Carbery junior A hurling championship final against Kilbree threw in at 3.30pm in Kilbrittain, while the county intermediate camogie final against Sliabh Rua was in Castle Road at 4pm.

Martina and James O’Brien were one of five families involved in both games, and ultimate successes. Ditto for the Ryans (Seán, Cian, Aaron and Aoibhín), Cullinanes (Cillian and Anna), Ryans (Chris and Megan) and Luceys (Timmy and Karen). A hectic day, but a super Sunday.

THE MORNING

James lives at the O’Brien family home in Ahalisky, Martina a four-minute drive away, so text messages kept them connected.

‘James is a great man to send texts to say good luck,’ Martina said. ‘He did this morning too: “Best of luck! Hopefully we’ll have both cups back in Bal this evening.”’

Decisions on who would attend which game were made on Thursday evening. Dad went to James’ game, Mom and sister Maura to Martina’s. Martina, a physio for the hurlers, faced the twist of not being able to support them directly.

‘It was just a shame our games clashed,’ she said. ‘We weren’t the only siblings in that situation – other cousins, neighbours, everyone had to go separate ways. But people came out and supported both teams, which was brilliant.’

The day also brought a new routine for Martina, after welcoming baby Annie. The county camogie final was Annie’s 14th game she attended across football and camogie.

‘It changes the routine massively,’ Martina said. ‘There’s no doing things by the book anymore. You just follow her routine. But it was lovely to have her on the day we won, and she got photos in the village afterwards with James, the rest of the family and the two cups. It’s a lovely memory to have.’

Usually, family nerves run high, but James had faith in the camogie side.

‘They were playing themselves down all week, saying they wouldn’t win,’ he said. ‘They went so well all year, I was quietly confident. They have a good team and are a credit to themselves.’

Bal captain Luke Murray raises the Flyer Nyhan Cup.

THE MATCHES

With the Carbery JAHC final starting first, the hurlers were in action in Kilbrittain, while Bal fans at Castle Road followed on phones. Bal won 0-22 to 1-16, their eighth junior A hurling title and fourth in seven years, with Brian O’Donovan hitting 0-10.

Most of the players have known each other since childhood, first crossing paths at Clogagh National School.

‘When you put all the families together, you have a community,’ James said. ‘I grew up with the Ryans – Aaron, Aoibhín, Cian and Seán. It’s special to share it with the people you know and have grown up with.’

Attention quickly switched to the camogie final.

‘When we won, we were jumping around,’ James recalled. ‘The first person I met was Kieran Dineen and I asked, “How are the camogie getting on?” He was trying to pull it up on his phone but was so happy we won, like the rest of us. Then my father appeared and said the camogie had won. The celebrations kicked on from there – we had it won, and they had it won.’

In Castle Road, the camogie team led 2-4 to 0-3 at half-time but had no update from the Carbery final. Martina, in goal, eventually got word of the hurlers’ victory.

‘Our match had 15 minutes to go, and one of the umpires looked it up on his phone and told me,’ she said. ‘The lads were winning by three points with two minutes left, so I knew the result before our game was over. It was nice to know, it gave us a boost. We were nine points up, so I was confident we’d come through.’

Bal prevailed 3-7 to 1-9, with Moria Barrett (2-3) and Siofra Patwell (1-4) excelling. All roads led back to Bal.

Ballinascarthy camogie stalwarts who have won a combined 17 adult county medals for the club. Take a bow, Michelle Dullea, Kate O'Donovan, Martina O'Brien, Clara Crowley, and Moira Barrett.

THE CELEBRATIONS

A well-earned night out for the village followed, as both teams gathered in Bal hall.

‘Everyone came to meet both teams,’ James said. ‘We went up on stage first, the girls followed, and everyone roared. It was probably fitting that the noise went up when the girls came on stage. I know we won a West Cork, but what they did was extra special. An intermediate county is unreal.’

Celebrations continued across the road in the Henry Ford Tavern, hosted by the O’Donovans, who also run the Village Store. ‘It was an extra special evening to spend with people you know,’ Martina said. ‘Everywhere you turned, there was a familiar face. That’s fantastic and something we’ll remember for a long time.’

On Monday morning, reflection set in.

‘We met up, had a cup of coffee and a chat, and a laugh,’ Martina said. ‘We’re all going in different directions now because of work and life. It’s rare to have times like that. It’s nice to spend those moments remembering the day. Maybe next time over two cups, with more family photos.’

THE FUTURE

Could both sides achieve more success in 2026?

‘There’s something special about this team,’ James said of the hurlers. ‘The competitiveness is brilliant. The intensity in training is unreal. Every player drives each other on. You have to get better every day in matches and training.’

The camogie team has a premier intermediate championship to look forward to next season. For Martina, 2025 was one to cherish. ‘I’ve thought long and hard about my career, and people might be sick of me talking about it,’ the former Cork ladies football goalkeeper said. ‘You have to credit the other girls and management, not just the last three years, but since we came up from junior C, B, and A. When we got to intermediate, we weren’t happy enough to be there; we needed to do more work to reach the level we needed.

‘Every time you win, you want to compete. We had 30 in the squad this year – the biggest I’ve ever seen in Ballinascarthy camogie – and they’re all looking to make their mark. I’m 35 now, there probably aren't too many more county finals in me but you just appreciate every one you play in. I definitely appreciated this year more than any other year,’ she added.