Cork Premier IHC: Ballinhassig sink Cloyne in a cracker to reach final

Ballinhassig had 10 different scorers, made even more remarkable considering they were without a number of players due to injury including forwards Adam O’Sullivan, Brian Lynch and Evan Cullinane.

Sat, 04 Oct, 2025 - 21:50

Barry O'Mahony

Cork Premier IHC: Ballinhassig 3-15 Cloyne 2-14

A deserved win for Ballinhassig as they defeated Cloyne in an enjoyable Co-Op Superstores PIHC semi-final at Ovens on Saturday night.

The Blues have made it into the decider where they will meet Ballincollig after the latter overcame Dungourney in the other last four encounter.

In front of a huge crowd on a pleasant night for hurling with the wind having no major factor, the Blues were marginally the better team. They got their scores at important stages of the game especially their green flags and had a better-balanced team.

They had 10 different scorers all achieved without a number of players due to injury including forwards Adam O’Sullivan, Brian Lynch and Evan Cullinane.

The Carrigdhoun team were led on by centre-back Darragh O’Sullivan with the Grainger brothers, Charlie and Jack, hurling a world of ball around the middle.

Ger Collins, Shane McCarthy and the experienced Fintan O’Leary made their presence felt up front.

At no stage did they trail in what was a mature performance. Having fallen at the semi-final hurdle on a number of occasions since dropping down from senior in 2013, Ballinhassig are now 60 minutes away from glory.

The Blues set the tone early which would prove crucial. They hit 1-1 in the first six minutes.

McCarthy with the point while James O’Callaghan scored a fortuitous long-range goal that deceived the Cloyne goalkeeper Daniel Cronin.

The Imokilly outfit did reply with two unanswered points from James O’Brien (free) and Conor Cahill.

A Ger Collins 65 was an important one for Ballinhassig. It could have been a goal seconds beforehand after O’Leary was unlucky with a goal-bound shot that deflected out for a 65.

The game started at a frantic pace as Ballinhassig led 1-4 to 0-4 after 17 minutes.

The teams traded efforts before Ballinhassig went on a scoring spree. They landed 1-2 without reply.

A Ger Collins free and Jack Grainger with the points while McCarthy scored a worldie of a goal into the top corner after being set up by O’Leary, 2-7 to 0-5 with five minutes to the break.

An O’Brien free was timely for Cloyne and it was followed by an Ian Cahill goal after 26 minutes after he got a vital flick to beat Ballinhassig netminder Patrick Collins, 2-7 to 1-6.

The teams swapped white flags until Cloyne landed two of the last three points of the half with Éanna Motherway’s effort the highlight from an acute angle.

Ballinhassig held a 2-9 to 1-9 half-time advantage.

There was very little to separate two evenly matched teams and that was reflected in the third quarter. Both teams largely cancelled each other with no goal opportunities to report either during this time.

John O’Sullivan’s team led 2-12 to 1-11 after 43 minutes. Both defences were on top during this period with both centre-backs doing brilliantly with Darragh O’Sullivan sweeping up a world of ball for Ballinhassig with Paudie O’Sullivan doing the same for his team.

Another O’Brien free left Cloyne a goal behind, but Ballinhassig always had an answer. McCarthy pointed for the Carrigdhoun outfit and even though Brian O’Shea replied for Cloyne, a crucial juncture was approaching.

Ballinhassig sub Seán Lombard, just on the pitch, billowed the back of the net after he used his pace to move away from the defenders, 3-13 to 1-13 with 12 minutes to go.

It was followed by a boomer of a point from Conor Desmond as Ballinhassig had breathing space.

It didn’t last long in what was a cracking game, Cloyne replied with 1-1 in 80 seconds. O’Brien slotted over another free before sub Keith Dennehy finished from close range after a goalmouth scramble, 3-14 to 2-14.

With nine minutes still to go, Cloyne wouldn’t score again. There was just one score for the remainder, Charlie Grainger’s inspirational point brought the Blues supporters to their feet.

Ballinhassig marched into the final against Ballincollig.

Scorers for Ballinhassig: S McCarthy 1-3, G Collins 0-5 (0-2 f, 0-1 65), S Lombard, J O’Callaghan 1-0 each, F O’Leary 0-2, P Collins (f), C Grainger, C Desmond, J Grainger, M Collins 0-1 each.

Scorers for Cloyne: J O’Brien 0-9 (0-8 f), I Cahill, K Dennehy 1-0 each, Éanna Motherway 0-2, C Cahill, B O’Shea, N Cahill 0-1 each.

BALLINHASSIG: P Collins; C Kirby, K Maguire, J Lyne; J O’Callaghan, D O’Sullivan, C Desmond; C Grainger, E Lombard; J Grainger, S McCarthy, S O’Neill; M Collins, G Collins, F O’Leary.

Subs: S Lombard for J Grainger (39), T Madden for S O’Neill, D O’Donovan for J O’Callaghan (both 48), G Kirby for F O’Leary (59).

CLOYNE: D Cronin; J Sherlock, J Hallahan, A Sherlock; Eoin Motherway, P O’Sullivan, C Mullins; D Byrne, Éanna Motherway; C Cahill, B O’Shea, N Cahill; M Cahill, I Cahill, J O’Brien.

Subs: B Minihane for J Hallahan, A Walsh for C Mullins (both h-t), K Dennehy for M Cahill (39), B Walsh for N Cahill (47), S Beausang for J O’Brien (52).

Referee: Diarmuid Kirwan (Éire Óg).