McGann goals the difference as Castlemartyr beat Ballinhassig in Group of Death battle
CLOSE WATCH: Evan Cullinane and Charlie Grainger of Ballinhassig chase Mike O'Dwyer of Castlemartyr. Pic: Jim Coughlan.
The Group of Death in the Co-op Superstores Cork PIHC is living up to its reputation. Castlemartyr’s four-point win over Ballinhassig in Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday means that all four teams are locked on four points going into the final round.
It will be knock-out then, and it was knock-out for Castlemartyr here. Their manager, Donal Burke, acknowledged as much in the aftermath.
“Last week we were really disappointed with our performance down in Youghal against Kilworth. Conditions probably were a major factor in the whole thing, but it does put you under pressure, psychologically when you don’t win your first game," Burke said. "But we’re an experienced bunch now at this stage and we knew that today was going to be a huge game. If we had lost today, I’d say we’d have been in right trouble. A massive win for us in terms of getting through today.”
What was a drab game came alive midway through the second period. The East Cork side led by 0-13 to 0-11, but the Blues looked like they might reel them in. Then Jack McGann and Billy McGann planted two goals in two minutes and to leave Castlemartyr firmly in the ascendency Ballinhassig then got an immediate lifeline.
A long Patrick Collins delivery slipped through Brian Lawton’s hand before dribbling over the line and it was 2-13 to 1-11. Castlemartyr’s response was brilliant. Kelly slotted over three frees and Joe Stack hit a super score form play and while Brian Lynch responded for Ballinhassig, they now trailed by 2-17 to 1-12 with two to play.
Ger Collins then buried a twenty-one yard free, and when he and Lynch added the next two points, Ballinhassig were only three behind as the game went into four minutes of added time. There was to be no denying Castlemartyr, however, as points from Jack McGann and Kelly sandwiched a Collins free to leave the Imokilly side as deserving winners.
Lacklustre would be the kindest description of the opening half. Brian Lawton slipped into the sweeper role for Castlemartyr, Darragh O’Sullivan did the same for Ballinhassig while the East Cork men pushed Ciarán Joyce up into the half forward line where he was tracked by Eoin Lombard.
The game fell into a pattern of Castlemartyr edging a couple of points ahead, and while the Blues pegged them back level three times, by the interval they trailed by 0-10 to 0-7. Castlemartyr were profiting from Ballinhassig’s indiscipline though. Seven of their scores came from placed balls with Mike Kelly landing six of them and Daragh Joyce the other while the elder Joyce with two and Jack McGann had their other scores.
Jack Grainger had two superb early points from play for the Blues, Brian Lynch and Adam O’Sullivan also hit the target from play while Ger Collins had the rest of their scores from placed balls.
From there Castlemartyr got their goals when it mattered. They will play Ballincollig in Round 3, Ballinhassig will take on Kilworth.
M Kelly (0-12, frees), J McGann (1-2), B McGann (1-0), J Stack and C Joyce (0-2 each), D Joyce (0-1, free).
G Collins (1-6, 1-4 frees), B Lawton (og), B Lynch, 0-3, C Grainger and J Grainger (0-2 each), D O’Sullivan and A O’Sullivan (0-1 each).
D Bowens; D Leahy, C Martin, J Lawton; D Joyce, C Whyte, B O’Tuama; M Kelly (JC), M O’Dwyer; C Joyce (JC), J McGann, B Lawton; B McGann, J Stack. A Kelly.
L Martin for A Kelly (41).
P Collins; C Kirby, K Maguire, P O’Leary; J O’Callaghan, D O’Sullivan, C Desmond; E Lombard, C Grainger; J Grainger, A O’Sullivan, E Cullinane; B Lynch, G Collins (c), S O’Neill.
D O’Donovan for O’Callaghan (44), P O’Regan for O’Neill (46), S McCarthy for A O’Sullivan (49), F O’Leary for C Grainger (52).
Patrick O’Mahony (Kilbrittain).
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