Brilliant Barrett scores 2-3 as Bal win back-to-back county titles

Ballinascarthy 3-7

Sliabh Rua 1-9

JJ HURLEY REPORTS

BALLINASCARTHY crowned a memorable season in style as a hat-trick of goals proved decisive in a commanding win over Sliabh Rua in the SE Systems Camogie Intermediate final at Castle Road on Sunday.

Just one season after winning the premier junior title, Bal’s momentum has seen them power through the intermediate grade at the first attempt. Their reward is another county cup, and promotion to the premier intermediate grade – the second highest level in Cork camogie.

Taking full advantage of a strong breeze in the opening 30 minutes, Ballinascarthy seized control early. Two first-half goals from the deadly duo of captain Moira Barrett and Siofra Patwell gave the West Cork side a platform they never surrendered.

For team manager Kevin Walsh, those two players were always going to be key in the championship decider.

The county-winning Ballinascarthy camogie team celebrates their intermediate triumph. Back from left, Rachel Cahalane, Ella Cahalane, Katelyn O'Neill, Megan Ryan, Amber Bishop, Michelle Dullea, Kaela O'Driscoll, Lisa Hegarty, Michelle O'Driscoll, Sarah Cahalane, Anna Cullinane, Nicole Prochniak, Kate O'Donovan, Sinéad McCarthy, Aoife Kingston, Jane Twomey, and Misch May Pattwell. Front from left, Clara Crowley, Orlaith Dee, Karen Lucey, Aoibhín Ryan, Grace Flynn, Millie Condon, Síofra Pattwell, Annie Condon, Moira Barrett (captain), Maeve Kingston, Ciara Hayes, Muireann Fadian, and Martina O'Brien with baby Annie.

‘Look, they’re great strikers of the ball. If you give the likes of Moira and Siofra a chance, they will hurt you,’ he said proudly after the final whistle.

Despite the prospect of facing into the stiff breeze in the second half, Ballinascarthy’s confidence never wavered.

‘We said if we could keep the first-half performance up, we were in with a great chance, as our backs were on top,’ Walsh explained.

‘While they have good forwards, we knew our defence could keep them out.’

From the opening exchanges, it was clear Ballinascarthy’s defence had a firm grip on the Carrigdhoun side’s attack. Making excellent use of the wind, player-of-the-match Moira Barrett struck the opening goal and soon had her side ahead 1-2 to 0-0 after just 13 minutes.

Their momentum continued to build as Siofra Patwell added a goal and a point two minutes later to extend the advantage.

Bal captain Moira Barrett receives the cup.

To their credit, Sliabh Rua, led by Jillian O’Leary and Caoimhe O’Donnell, began to find their rhythm. The Clontead side were rewarded on 17 minutes when O’Donnell opened their account, though Patwell quickly cancelled it out from a free.

In need of inspiration, Emma MacSweeney stepped up, landing a superb long-range free to spark the Sliabh Rua supporters into voice. Another free on 24 minutes from MacSweeney brought the score to 2-4 to 0-3.

From there to the break, Bal continued to press, but goalkeeper Hannah Hayes stood tall, pulling off some sharp handling to ensure no further damage before half-time.

As expected, Sliabh Rua came out firing in the second half, but three early wides dented their momentum. MacSweeney had a chance of a goal but former Cork footballer shot-stopper Martina O’Brien produced a save in the Ballinascarthy goal.

Captain fantastic Moira Barrett, also named player of the match, with her family. Included are, front, Maggie, and, back, Ann, Con and Mary.

Barrett steadied the ship with the first score of the second half on 39 minutes, before two quick MacSweeney points narrowed the gap to two goals by the 45th minute.

A Patwell point restored Bal’s composure, and when Barrett goaled on 47 minutes, any hopes of a Sliabh Rua comeback were dashed. At the other end, Millie Condon marshalled her defence superbly, snuffing out any late danger.

While Sliabh Rua added 1-4 in the closing stages, including a late Caoimhe Horgan goal, Ballinascarthy’s earlier dominance ensured the outcome was never in doubt.

It was a composed, clinical, and deserved victory for a Bal side that can’t stop winning county titles!

Scorers 

Ballinascarthy: M Barrett 2-3; S Patwell 1-4 (3f).

Sliabh Rua: E MacSweeney 0-7 (5f, 1 45); C Horgan 1-1; C O’Donnell 0-1.

Ballinascarthy: M O’Brien; A Ryan, K O’Driscoll, G Flynn; O Dee, A Condon, M Condon; M O’Driscoll, C Crowley; R Cahalane, M Barrett, M Kingston; S Patwell, S McCarthy, M Ryan.

Sub: A Bishop for M Ryan.

Sliabh Rua: H Hayes; A Sheehan, Á Cummins, L Kelleher; O Cummins, C Bernard, E O’Callaghan; C O’Mahony, J O’Leary; A Halpin, C O’Donnell, K Redmond; E McSweeney, N Nash, C Horgan.

Subs: A Coleman for E O’Callaghan, C Hurley for A Halpin.

Referee: D Motherway.