White inspired as Ballygarvan run riot

INSPIRED by some excellent performances from Joe Spillane, Ger Spillane and Stephen White, Ballygarvan overwhelmed Éire Óg in the second round of the Evening Echo Cork County IHC at Brinny yesterday.

The two Spillanes were majestic in the heart of the Ballygarvan defence while White, scorer of seven points, had an outstanding game at midfield as Ballygarvan, despite being reduced to 14 men in the last quarter following the dismissal of corner-forward Gary White, toyed with their opponents.

Éire Óg were the first to score when full-forward Daniel Goulding pointed in the opening minute.

With Ger Spillane in tremendous form at centre back and Stephen White ruling midfield, Ballygarvan quickly took control as Éire Óg, who lost the services of Cork minor Ciarán Sheehan with a back injury, failed to score again until the last minute of normal time in the first half.

And with White contributing 0-5, including three from long-range frees and one from a 65, Ballygarvan led by 0-8 to 0-2 before shattering Éire Óg with two injury time goals from David Bouse and Damien O’Sullivan just before the break.

Seconds after the resumption, Gary White extended their lead to 2-9 to 0-3 and there was no way back for a bitterly disappointing Éire Óg side.

It was 2-11 to 0-3 before Éire Óg finally responded entering the last quarter with four points without reply. Three came from frees by Gary O’Flynn and one from play by substitute Paul McDonagh.

Although Gary White received a straight red card for a bad challenge on Shane McCarthy, Éire Óg could not breach a superb Ballygarvan rearguard.

Stephen White brought the curtain down with two pointed frees before Daniel Goulding grabbed a consolation goal at the death.

Scorers: Ballygarvan: D. Bouse 1-0, D. O’Sullivan 1-0, S. White 0-7 (0-5 frees; 0-1 65), G. White 0-3, W. McCarthy, M. O’Riordan, C. O’Connor 0-1 each. Eire Óg: D. Goulding 1-1 (1-0 free), G. O’Flynn 0-3 (0-3 frees), T. O’Leary 0-2, P. McDonagh 0-1.

BALLYGARVAN: J. Kennefick; D. Sweeney, J. Spillane, R. Bouse, B. Keohane, G. Spillane, D. O’Sullivan, S. White, W. McCarthy, M. O’Riordan, S. O’Leary, C. O’Sullivan, G. White, C. O’Connor, D. Bouse.

Sub: M. Sheehy for D. Bouse.

ÉIRE ÓG: K. Murphy; A. Keane, J. Murphy, S. McCarthy, B. Corkery, A. O’Mahony, E. Long, J. Malone, V. Fahy, F. Sheehan, T. O’Leary, D. O’Flynn, G. O’Flynn, D. Goulding, C. Sheehan.

Subs: J. Crowley for C. Sheehan (inj); A. Herlihy for Long; P. McDonagh for Malone.

Referee: J. Kearney (Na Piarsaigh).