Ballygarvan survive late Barryroe scare

It was edge of the seat stuff as Ballygarvan had to survive a stiff challenge from Barryroe in the fourth round of the Cork IHC at Cloughduv on Saturday, setting up a quarter-final meeting with Charleville.

After prevailing in the opening half, Ballygarvan were pushed all the way in a pulsating closing quarter to eventually get over the line.

A brace of goals in the 23rd and 25th minute from Ken Ashman and the towering Joe Spillane gave the south-east men an interval lead of 2-7 to 0-7. Mark Kennefick (three) was also to the fore along with Dan McCarthy (two) and Stephen White.

Barryroe were on the back foot having conceded those two majors in quick succession, but they persevered, and scored two important white flags on the brink of half time from Kevin McCarthy and Tadhg Harrington.

Ten minutes into the second half the west Cork side were just three points adrift when the game ignited. Three goals arrived in a 10-minute spell. McCarthy struck for Ballygarvan but 60 seconds later Michael O’Brien fired home for Barryroe. Then sub Clive Cahalane netted another and they were only two behind, 3-11 to 2-12.

Four unanswered points left Ballygarvan comfortably ahead but two late goals from Cahalane and Tadhg Harrington put the game on a knife edge. Sandwiched in between the goals was an excellent Kennefick point that proved priceless.

Scorers for Ballygarvan: M Kennefick 0-8 (5fs), D McCarthy 1-4, J Spillane 1-1, K Ashman 1-0, Damien O’Sullivan, S White (sl), M O’Riordan and Donald O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Scorers for Barryroe: T Harrington 1-4 (1-3fs), C Cahalane 2-0, M O’Brien 1-1, K Griffin 0-3 (2fs), K McCarthy 0-2, G Coleman, D Harrington and D O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

BALLYGARVAN: P Murphy; J Browne, C O’Sullivan, P Conroy; S White, G Spillane (capt), Damien O’Sullivan; M O’Riordan, G White; Donald O’Sullivan, A Murphy, M Kennefick; D McCarthy, J Spillane, K Ashman.

Subs: M O’Callaghan for P Conroy (45), T O’Halloran for A Murphy (53).

BARRYROE: B O’Donovan; T Carroll, G O’Leary, E O’Dwyer; G Coleman, J Fleming, B O’Brien (capt); T Harrington, K McCarthy; K Griffin, G Holland, D Harrington; D O’Sullivan, K O’Driscoll, M O’Brien.

Subs: C Cahalane for G Holland (35).

Referee: N Barrett (Carrigtwohill).