Kilbrittain 1-17

Ballygarvan 0-18

JJ HURLEY REPORTS

A BRILLIANT strike from super-sub Conor Ustianowski three minutes from time saw Kilbrittain edge past Ballygarvan in a nervy Co-op Superstores Premier Junior hurling semi-final at Minane Bridge on Saturday.

In a game where both sides lacked composure, Kilbrittain looked like they might pay dearly for ten first-half wides. Ballygarvan led by two points with less than ten minutes remaining.

To their credit, Kilbrittain recognised the gravity of the situation. Mark Hickey narrowed the margin from a free. Then Ustianowski struck for the all-important goal on 57 minutes.

With time ticking away, both sides battled to gain the initiative. Ultimately, the advantage remained with Kilbrittain, helped by two fine individual scores from captain Philip Wall, as Ballygarvan couldn’t find the net with a late free.

A delighted Kilbrittain manager Joe Ryan was full of praise for his charges. He maintained full confidence in his side despite their wasteful first-half shooting.

‘We are telling them to shoot. The more shots you take, the more success you have. The wind was really difficult and I am never going to stop them from going for points,’ he said.

Kilbrittain’s Mr Dependable, Mark Hickey, also earned special mention from his manager.

‘He missed a few in the first half, but he came up trumps for us in the end from play,’ Ryan added.

Kilbrittain goal scorer Conor Ustianowski.

Both sides were guilty of some poor shooting in the opening half. The swirling breeze made matters worse. Using it to their advantage, the Carbery men were out in front after seven minutes as Josh O’Donovan, Luke Griffin, Ronan Crowley and Hickey all found the range.

Ballygarvan, however, worked their way back into the contest through Niall Dowd, Stephen Fenton and the lively Dylan O’Connor. The teams were level at 0-4 apiece after 14 minutes.

Kevin Lyons and Hickey exchanged scores before Hickey added four unanswered frees to his tally. Ballygarvan did not reply. Trailing by four points after 28 minutes, O’Connor responded impressively, raising two white flags – one a sublime line ball.

As the sides headed to the dressing rooms, Kilbrittain held a narrow advantage, 0-9 to 0-7.

Another inspirational line ball from O’Connor at the outset of the second half looked to hand the initiative to Ballygarvan. But indiscipline from his colleagues proved costly. Hickey slotted over two frees on 33 and 35 minutes.

The advantage was short-lived. The Carrigdhoun outfit cut the deficit by two points, with Lyons and Cillian O’Regan on target. Hickey remained a thorn in Ballygarvan’s side, landing a free and a 65 subsequently.

Kilbrittain's Mark Hickey hit 0-12 against Ballygarvan.

Now trailing 0-13 to 0-11 after 40 minutes, Ballygarvan began to take control, with O’Connor firing over a free. Evan O’Connor, only on the pitch a few minutes, was unable to get a decent touch on a Michael O’Mahony pass for a goal opportunity. This was followed by four successive Ballygarvan scores, including a beauty from Dylan O’Connor.

With Ballygarvan two points in front, they looked to be on their way. But a Hickey point, followed by Ustianowski’s decisive goal, turned the contest on its head.

Ballygarvan fought back and levelled on 60 minutes. But the parity was short-lived. Wall added two points, and Hickey sent over one more. The margin was back to three points.

Ballygarvan had a free close in late on, but Daniel Mackey fired over. Kilbrittain now go on to face Glen Rovers in the county final.

OUR STAR: Kilbrittain forward Mark Hickey was simply outstanding over the hour from placed balls as well as his general play.

Scorers

Kilbrittain: Mark Hickey 0-12 (10f, 1 sl, 1 65); Conor Ustianowski 1-0; Philip Wall 0-2; Luke Griffin, Josh O’Donovan, Ronan Crowley 0-1 each.

Ballygarvan: Dylan O’Connor 0-7 (2f, 2 sl); Kevin Lyons, Daniel Mackey (3f) 0-3 each; Ray O’Halloran 0-2; Niall O’Dowd, Cillian O’Regan, Stephen Fenton 0-1 each.

Kilbrittain: David Desmond; Darragh Considine, James Hurley, Eoin O’Neill; Aaron Holland, Thomas Sheehan, Colm Sheehan; Sean Sexton, Josh O’Donovan; Mark Hickey, Philip Wall, Ronan Crowley; Conor Hogan, Luke Griffin, Bertie Butler.

Subs: Tom Harrington for C Hogan (47), Conor Ustianowski for B Butler (55), Ded Harrington for C. Sheehan (57).

Ballygarvan: Daniel Mackey; Paddy Ryan, Tadhg O’Sullivan, Eoin Mackey; Stephen White, Piaras O’Halloran, Ciarán McIntyre; Cillian O’Regan, Micheál O’Mahony; Kevin Lyons, Ray O’Halloran, Stephen Fenton; Niall O’Dowd, Michael Cussen, Dylan O’Connor.

Subs: Stephen O’Donovan for T O’Sullivan (10, inj), Eoin O’Connor for S Fenton (43).

Referee: David Twomey (Shanballymore).