Sun rises in the South East for Ballymartle

Ballymartle 1-10 Ballinhassig 1-5

Aided by a strong wind in the first-half, Ballymartle, after an indifferent start, got their act together and five points in rapid succession from Darren McCarthy, John Coleman, full-forward Michael O’Mahony, who struck twice, and midfielder David Edmonds, who successfully converted a 45, launched them on the victory trail.

Ballinhassig, who lacked the finesse and technique of their rivals, did get on the score-sheet when midfielder Michael Sheehan kicked over a point in the 19th minute. However, seconds later they were dealt a real hammer blow. After outstanding goalkeeper Liam Grainger brought off a series of fine saves, the Ballinhassig citadel finally fell when Shane Mooney banged home a goal on the stroke of half time to leave Ballymartle leading by 1-6 to 0-3 at the break.

With right half forward Darren McCarthy and full-forward Michael O’Mahony continuing to exert enormous influence — both scoring three points apiece from play — Ballymartle continued to grow in confidence and stretched their lead to eight points with ten minutes remaining.

Ballinhassig were thrown a lifeline when centre-forward Brendan Holland goaled in the 51st minute to reduce the deficit to five. Kevin Walsh pointed a free to leave four between them, but a point from left corner-forward Eamon Kelly in injury time sealed a historic win for Ballymartle.

Scorers for Ballymartle: S Mooney 1-0; D McCarthy, M O’Mahony, both 0-3; J Coleman 0-2; E Kelly & D Edmonds 0-1 each.

Ballinhassig: B Holland 1-0; K Walsh 0-2 (0-1f); M Sheehan, S McCarthy & P Coveney 0-1 each.

BALLYMARTLE: D O’Mahony; N Tobin, G Coleman, D McCarthy; G Webb, S Corry, A Sheehan; S Mooney, D Edmonds; D McCarthy, B Corry, D Dwyer; J Coleman, M O’Mahony, E Kelly.

Sub: C Crowley for Coleman.

BALLINHASSIG: L Grainger; C Galvin, P Brennan, S Sheehan; E Finn, M Desmond, E Heffernan; S McCarthy, M Sheehan; J Kiely, B Holland, R McCarthy; P Coveney, K Walsh, D Coveney.

Subs: J O’Riordan for D Coveney; D O’Donovan for Kiely.

Referee: M Harrington (Carrigaline).