Jack Leahy shoots Dungourney to straightforward nine-point victory over Ballymartle

Jack Leahy scored an impressive 11 points in an man of the match display

Cork Premier IHC: Dungourney 1-20 Ballymartle 0-14.

A shooting exhibition from Dungourney’s Jack Leahy helped his side defeat Ballymartle in the Co Op Superstores Premier intermediate hurling championship at Ballymaw on Sunday.

Both teams needed a win but Ballymartle were left to rue their careless first half shooting display that saw them accumulate 15 wides in this period. When the game hung in the balance Leahy came to the fore for the east Cork side finishing with 11 points that ensured his side a place in the quarter final.

Playing with the wind Dungourney were quickest from the blocks despite Niall McGrath giving Dungourney the lead with a point in the opening minute. The wake-up call was instant and six points on the bounce from different players surged Ballymartle into gear as they looked in total control.

After taking a six-point lead following a superb Shane Cummins point from play Dungourney exposed some consistent Ballymartle fouling with Jack Leahy executing three unanswered placed balls.

The wide count for Ballymartle tallied ten with 11 minutes remaining to the interval with the deficit reduced to four points 0-8 to 0-4. Ballymartle were also careless in the foul department and they were punished with a superb goal in the 24th minute. The energetic Jack Leahy produced a stunning run before placing a perfect pass to Kelvin Cody-Byrne who billowed the back of the net from close range.

On the next Ballymartle possession Darren McCarthy got in behind their defence but his shot hit the crossbar with Ballymartle commanding a 0-9 to 1-4 interval lead.

On the restart both sides exchanged points in the opening six minutes, but it was evident Dungourney were getting on top at centre field that gave them the crucial possession to upset their opponents defence. Gradually the class of Dungourney took over with Leahy continuing to punish their opponents at will. 

In the end Ballymartle’s 16 minute first half drought came back to haunt them as Dungourney sealed the deal in style.

Scorers for Dungourney: J Leahy 0-11 (0-8f), K Cody-Byrne 1-0 J Ahern 0-3, N McGrath 0-2, N Motherway, D Healy, S Hegarty, M Leahy (0-1 each).

Scorers for Ballymartle: S Cummins 0-5 J McCarthy 0-4 (0-3f), P Dorney 0-2, L O’Callaghan, R Deasy, D McCarthy (f) (0-1 each).

DUNGOURNEY: P Flynn; S Rohan, M McGrath, J McCarthy; M Leahy, N Motherway, C O’Doherty; D Healy, S Hegarty; N McGrath, J Ahern, S Geaney; B Ahern, J Leahy, K Cody-Byrne.

Subs: J Ahern for C O’Doherty (inj 14), C Murphy for S Geaney (58), S Quirke for B Ahern (59).

BALLYMARTLE: D O’Leary; C Coleman, T J Murphy, P Dorney; R Deasy, L Corry, S Corry; F Desmond, S Dorney; R Cahalane, S Cummins, J McCarthy; D McCarthy, C Lordan, L O’Callaghan.

Subs: B Corry for D McCarthy (inj 45), E O’Leary for F Desmond (50), N Crowley for J McCarthy (56).

Referee: David Copps (Ballyhea).