Ballyhea march on as deadly Ronan shoots down Carbery

Ballyhea 0-18 Carbery 0-15

Rotating between centre and full-forward, Ronan was the only bright spark in a game that was a dull as dishwater. If only he could transfer his club form to the county he’d be the complete article. He contributed 13 of his side’s tally which brings to 10 his average over three championship matches so far this year.

Ballyhea may yet be grateful to the county board, who refused their application at the beginning of the season to drop down a grade. While their hurling still left a lot to be desired, they are now through to a quarter-final tie against their own division, Avondhu, and they showed enough courage on Saturday to suggest they have plenty to offer the senior grade.

Apart from Neil Ronan, Ballyhea lacked any other serious threat in attack. In that context it was surprising their inter-county minor Maurice O’Sullivan didn’t play.

Carbery were a huge disappointment and have fallen a long way from the heady days of 1994 when they last won the title. Given that both Kilbrittain and Newcestown are still in the IHC, it’s hard to credit that only four players were chosen from those clubs, and one of them cried off before the start.

Along with the aforementioned clubs, Bandon also play in the intermediate grade and they supplied three players to the team, two of whom were on the starting 15.

Whether players are interested in playing with their divisions is a matter for themselves, but Carbery hurling has fallen alarmingly and only Pat Sexton, Michael O’Callaghan and Darren O’Donoghue would have come close to the team of ‘94. In a game where the sides were level eight times it looked to be developing into a besting match between Ronan and Darren O’Donoghue as they matched each other point-for-point until the Ballyhea man pulled away towards the end.

The only items of note in the opening half was an excellent save by Denis McCarthy in the Carbery goal from Darren Ronan in the 15th minute and the excellent point scoring of his brother Neil, and O’Donoghue which left the club side 0-9 to 0-7 in front at the break.

There was still no improvement in the standard of hurling on the changeover as Ballyhea stretched their lead to three points. Carbery rallied to level it for the eighth time and they looked the better side.

However, Ballyhea mentors made an important move by bringing Neil Ronan to the 40 and putting Ian Curtin at full-forward, where he was far more

effective.

The game’s only real goal chance fell to him in the 55th minute after Neil Ronan had put his side back in front with a brace of points, when he kicked wide from in front of the posts.

From there to the finish Ballyhea dominated the exchanges with Noel Hanley, Eamon Morrissey and Sean Curtin giving nothing away in defence and Neil Ronan capped a splendid night’s work with the final point.

Scorers: Ballyhea: N. Ronan 0-13 (0-6 frees); A. Crowley, I. Ronan, I. Curtin, D. Ronan, J. O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Carbery: D. O’Donoghue 0-8 (0-1 free); M. O’Callaghan 0-3; M. Walsh 0-2; J. Forrester, T. Coffey 0-1 each.

BALLYHEA: O. Morrissey; N. Hanley, S. Dennehy, T. Shanahan; E. Morrissey, S. Curtin, A. O’Connor; A. Crowley, B. Coleman; I. Curtin, J. O’Callaghan, I. Ronan; J. O’Sullivan, N. Ronan, D. Ronan. Subs. D. O’Riordan for Crowley; C. O’Riordan for Shanahan.

CARBERY: D. McCarthy (O’Mathunas); D. Crowley (Argideen Rangers), J. Wilson (Newcestown), M. Deasy (Ballinascarthy); V. O’Brien (Kilbrittain), P. Sexton (do.), D. Collins (O’Mathunas); B. Harte (Argideen Rangers), J. Nyhan (Bandon); J. Forrister (Clonakilty), M. O’Callaghan (Argideen Rangers), T. Coffey (Ballinascarthy); N. Walsh (do.), G. McCarthy (O’Mahubnas), D. O’Donoghue (Bandon); Sub. K. Hurley (Bandon) for McCarthy.

Referee: D. O’Leary (Cloughduv).