Cork SAHC: Ballyhea dig deep to secure senior status

Bishopstown pushed hard in tough conditions throughout this Buttevant clash played in miserable conditions

Sat, 06 Sep, 2025 - 21:20

Diarmuid Sheehan

Cork SAHC: Ballyhea 3-14 Bishopstown 1-9

Ballyhea retain their status as a Cork Senior A Hurling club for 2026, Bishopstown’s future still in the balance – the rain and Ballyhea the big winners in Buttevant on Saturday night.

In terrible weather conditions the Avondhu side dug deep to secure their status for another year and were deserved winners – Bishopstown pushed hard all the way but on this occasion just didn’t have the ability to pull this one from the fire.

Led on the field by Pa O’Callaghan, O’Leary as well as Tom and Luke Hanley, Ballyhea started with a bang – O’Leary’s first goal came inside 90 seconds but more importantly just 30 seconds after Bishopstown themselves spurned a golden chance to raise green.

From well before this one threw in it was clear that the weather would play its part and that was the way things panned out as the sides battled each other and the elements throughout.

Bishopstown played against the wind in the first half and needed to make the most of every chance but unfortunately for the city side six wides, some of them really disappointing efforts, hurt their cause to stay with the Avondhu men to the break.

O’Leary’s brace of majors in the first 30 were the main interventions but despite the weather some scintillating points, especially from Bishopstown’s James Scally and Thomas Murray were worthy of note.

Ballyhea cruised to a half time advantage of six points (2-8 to 0-6) but faced a determined Bishopstown and a strong wind in the second if they were to take the spoils.

It didn’t take long for the victors to stretch their advantage though with a point from Tom Hanley and a third goal, this time from Kieran Morrissey both inside the opening five minutes.

Scally continued to slot over efforts for Bishopstown but in reality, the city side never really looked like turning this one around, not even a goal from Brian Murray on 61 minutes could lift the mood of a side heading for a relegation playoff tie to save their status as a senior hurling club.

Scorers for Ballyhea: E O’Leary 2-4; P O’Callaghan 0-5 (0-4f); K Morrissey 1-1; M Browne (0-1f), J Morrissey (0-1.65), L Crowley, T Hanley 0-1 each.

Bishopstown: J Scally 0-7 (0-6f); B Murray 1-0; T Murray 0-2.

BALLYHEA: M Browne; A Barrett, L Hanley, D Crowley; C Cox, J Copps, T Hanley; M O’Sullivan, J Morrissey; L Crowley, K Morrissey, T Hanley; E O’Leary, G Morrissey, P O’Callaghan. Subs: D Curtin for G Morrissey (43), D Copps for K Morrissey (55), F O’Sullivan for D Curtin (63).

BISHOPSTOWN: C O’Donoghue; M Scally, D Lester, G Murphy; D Murray, K McFadden, C O’Hora; C Hegarty, C Murray; C Dunne, B Murray, C O’Driscoll; J Scally, R Foley, T Murray. Subs: D Daly for C Hegarty (39) L O’Driscoll for C O’Hora (43), N O’Hora for C Dunne (55), D Quaid for C O’Driscoll (65).

Referee: R Whelan (Ballincollig)