Ballymartle always in control against O’Neills

ANOTHER classic tale of the old dog for the hard road at Páirc Uí Rinn last night as seasoned Ballymartle clipped the wings of debutantes Fr O’Neill’s in the Evening Echo Cork County IHC third round.

Hurling with greater fervour and finesse, Ballymartle dominated throughout and rarely gave their opponents a chance of success.

It was an inauspicious occasion for last season’s junior history-makers Fr O’Neill’s. They lost inspirational captain Ger Holland with a leg injury in the first-half and overall never came to grips with their game in what was a most disappointing display.

Far stronger in all departments and hurling with great fervour, Ballymartle, with points from Anthony McCarthy, Dan Dwyer, Ger Cummins, Colm Sheehan and Rory Dwyer, scorched into an early lead and left an out-of-touch Fr O’Neill’s side with a mountain to climb.

Ballymartle led by five points before Fr O’Neill’s chalked up their first score, a point from a free by midfielder Ger O’Leary in the 15th minute.

Only three points separated them at half time with Ballymartle leading by 0-7 to 0-4 but Fr O’Neill’s were never allowed to take advantage primarily because three minutes after the resumption, outstanding captain Barry Dwyer got in a great psychological blow for his side with a splendid point.

Fr O’Neill’s were boosted with two points from O’Leary, who sent over another free, and a real beauty from corner-forward Eoin Conway. Now only two points separated them despite Ballymartle’s stranglehold on the proceedings. But then came the deciding moment. The veteran of a thousand battles, Ger Cummins, flashed home a goal in the 38th minute to send Ballymartle on their merry way.

Ballymartle led 1-11 to 0-8 when Fr O’Neill’s made their last concerted bid for survival 10 minutes from the end. A great ground strike corner forward Kieran Wall was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Declan McCarthy and the game as a contest died there and then.

McCarthy’s great save which resulted in a 65 was successfully sent over by Podge Butler, proving to be Fr O’Neill’s last score of the game.

There were five points between them at this stage but Ballymartle closed in for the kill and a succession of points from Ger Cummins, Kieran Lordan and Brian Corry steered them successfully into the next round.

Scorers: Ballymartle: G. Cummins (1-3), R. Dwyer (0-2), B. Dwyer (0-2, 0-1 free), D. Dwyer, A. McCarthy, J. Flavin, J. Kelly, K. Lordan, B. Corry (0-1 each). Fr O’Neill’s: J. O’Leary (0-3 frees), E. Conway (0-2), E. Holland. J. Flavin, C. Buckley, P. Butler (65) (0-1 each).

BALLYMARTLE: D. McCarthy, S. O’Connell, K. Coleman, G. Webb, S. Dwyer, P. Dwyer, N. Sheehan, R. Dwyer, C. O’Brien, B. Dwyer, C. Sheehan, B. Corry, K. Lordan, A. McCarthy, J. Cummins. Subs: J. Kelly for McCarthy, S. Coleman for Sheehan, S. Fehily for Lordan.

FR O’NEILL’S: D. Dorgan, J. O’Mahoney, D. O’Neill, J. Terry, R. O’Neill, B. Murphy, B. O’Driscoll, J. Holland, J. O’Leary, C. Buckley, Q. Higgins, E. Holland, E. Conway, J. Flavin, K. Wall. Subs: P. Butler for Holland (inj), P. Irwin for D. O’Neill (inj).

Referee: J. Kearney (Na Piarsaigh).