Wasteful Kilmurry finally find points to kill off Ballinhassig

Kilmurry 0-09 Ballinhassig 1-03

Sean Murphy’s men deserved to advance as they led 0-6 to no score at half-time and hit 17 wides, 10 in the first half alone.

A Ballinhassig side that showed little adventure invited relentless pressure onto themselves by attempting to flood their defence.

However, amid a series of poor shooting, points came from Jonathan Buckley (two), David O’Halloran, James Kelleher and William Buckley (two), the game’s top scorer with 0-4, to give Kilmurry a six-point half-time buffer.

Seconds after the restart, Fintan O’Leary opened Ballinhassig’s account and Paul Coomey added another.

But Ballinhassig survived when substitute Paudie O’Connell pulled his goal attempt wide of John Coleman’s far post.

Fintan O’Leary Snr’s side were far more attack-minded in the second half, and reduced the margin to one on 45 minutes when Diarmuid O’Sullivan converted from the penalty spot.

Jonathan Buckley stretched Kilmurry’s lead out to two again but Dineen brought Ballinhassig to within one on 49 minutes.

However, William Buckley guaranteed Kilmurry’s passage with two more points.

Scorers for Kilmurry: W Buckley 0-4 (3f), J Buckley 0-3, D O’Halloran, J Kelleher 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballinhassig: D O’Sullivan 1-0 (1pen), S Dineen, P Coomey, F O’Leary 0-1.

KILMURRY: P O’Callaghan; W Barrett, K Barrett, E Barrett; L Long, D O’Leary, I Murphy; J White, E Creedon; D Creedon, D O’Halloran, J Buckley; G Barrett, J Kelleher, W Buckley.

Subs for Kilmurry : A O’Sullivan for E Creedon (36), P O’Connell for Kelleher (42), F Crowley for G Barrett (51).

BALLINHASSIG: S Coleman; P O’Leary, E Finn, B O’Sullivan; M Desmond, M Ahearne, P O’Sullivan; M Sheehan, S Dineen; D O’Sullivan, F O’Leary, B Holland; P Coomey, D Duggan, K Walsh.

Subs for Ballinhassig: D Brennan for Walsh (53), D O’Donovan for Holland (53), P Lombard for Dineen (54), J Mullaney for F O’Leary (54).

Referee: Cathal O Murchú (Brian Dillons).