Glanmire too slick for Ballinora

Glanmire 0-17 Ballinora 0-7

It was over once last year’s beaten finalists went into overdrive in the second quarter.

Glanmire were reported to be short at least five first team players. However, on this evidence, there will be a real battle for places, for there was hardly a weak link in a free-flowing Imokilly unit that took their scores with aplomb - 16 of them from play.

With Michael Cussen superb at midfield - kicking three sweet points - and James Murphy a thorn in the Ballinora defence with seven points, a poor Ballinora side were fighting a losing battle and will need to have a stronger team on duty for their backdoor clash with Mayfield.

After a strong opening by two sides with serious title aspirations, it was Cussen who was first to strike for Glanmire, playing with the aid of a very strong breeze. Dara O’Neill soon equalised for Ballinora, but points from James Murphy and Fergal O’Reilly had Glanmire 0-3 to 0-2 in front after a battling opening quarter between two sides who were moving the ball skilfully.

Then Glanmire, just that bit more slick and precise in their movements, took over and a couple of points from Daniel Molden and one from Kerry Mulvihill put some daylight between the teams.

Ballinora were in trouble and despite pulling Cathal Sheehan back around the middle as a third midfielder, the Mid Corkmen failed to curb the menace of Cussen and Brendan O’Callaghan, who were very strong at midfield.

However, Ballinora failed to yield, with Colin O’Shea and a Gary O’Halloran free getting them back in contention. But that’s as good as it got for Ballinora, for Glanmire were on fire now as four points on the trot from Murphy, Mulvihill, Cussen and Tony Drinan powered them into a commanding 0-10 to 0-4 interval lead.

Despite having the strong breeze at their backs for the second-half, an out of sorts Ballinora, badly missing the drive of Cronan Healy, could only muster three more points - only one from play late in the game from Sheehan - as Glanmire set about their business with method and purpose. Murphy was the tormentor-in-chief, kicking four sublime points in the third quarter, and Cussen a real beauty as they powered 0-15 to 0-5 clear entering the final quarter.

Some of Glanmire’s passing and movement was real slick, with Cork minors Fergal O’Reilly and Molden in terrific form, and with Tony Drinan a real livewire up front a sloppy Ballinora side were put to the sword.

A good afternoon’s work by Glanmire then, one that had selector Brian Lotty and coach Gene Desmond all smiles afterwards, For Ballinora, though, it’s back to the drawing board.

Scorers: Glanmire: J. Murphy 0-7 (0-1 free), M. Cussen 0-3, D. Molden, K. Mulvihill 0-2 each, F. O’Reilly, T. Drinan, B. O’Callaghan 0-1 each. Ballinora: E. Lougheed (frees), G. O’Halloran (0-1 free) 0-2 each, D. O’Neill, C. O’Shea, C. Sheehan 0-1 each.

GLANMIRE: M. Byrne; S. Knowles, P. Hanley, Declan O’Connell; Don O’Connell, R. Ryan, F. O’Reilly; M. Cussen, B. O’Callaghan; T. Drinan, P. Meaney, K. Mulvihill; D. Molden, B. Kirby, J. Murphy. Sub:K. Murphy for Meaney.

BALLINORA: E. Walsh; N. Mehigan, W. Dineen, D. O’Hare; J. Fitton, M. Twohig, N. Collins; M. Hurley, M. Hodge; C. O’Shea, C. Brosnan, E. Lougheed; D. O’Neill, G. O’Halloran, C. Sheehan. Sub:G. Lane for Twohig.

Referee: C. Lyons (Nemo Rangers).