Cork Premier JHC: Late Ustionowski goal earns Kilbrittain showdown with Glen Rovers

A late goal from substitute Conor Ustionowski proved decisive as Kilbrittain held off a spirited Ballygarvan fightback.

Eoin O'Neill, Kilbrittain looking to go past Niall Dowd, Ballygarvan during their Co-Op Superstores PJHC semi-final match at Minane Bridge. Picture Dan Linehan

Cork Premier JHC semi-final: Kilbrittain 1-17 Ballygarvan 0-18 

Kilbrittain will face Glen Rovers in the Co-Op Superstores PJHC final following a deserved victory over Ballygarvan at Minane Bridge on Saturday evening.

A goal from substitute Conor Ustionowski three minutes from time proved to be the difference as Kilbrittain turned the screw after relinquishing their first-half lead to Ballygarvan.

The goal came at a crucial stage. Just five minutes earlier, a Kevin Lyons point for the ages had Ballygarvan in front for the first time, 0-15 to 0-14 after 52 minutes.

It was Kilbrittain who made a bright start with Josh O'Donovan opening the scoring inside the first 40 seconds. The sides were on level terms when Daniel Mackey sent over a long-range free from inside his own 65.

The unstoppable Mark Hickey then set up Ronan Crowley, before getting his first of the evening from a free after Sean Sexton drew the foul. Luke Griffin added to his side's tally with a white flag after being set up by Conor Hogan: 0-4 to 0-1.

Ballygarvan didn't panic as they hit back with three unanswered points from Niall Dowd, Dylan O'Connor and Stephen Fenton restoring parity after 13 minutes.

The sides then traded points before Hickey converted four unanswered frees on the bounce. O'Connor replied with a brace to reduce the margin down to two at the break, 0-9 to 0-7 in favour of Kilbrittain.

The early stages of the second half saw both sides hit four points with Hickey on form for his side. Then the game came to life as Ballygarvan clawed their way back with Mackey starting the revival with Ray O'Halloran and O'Connor raising white flags to draw the sides on level terms at 0-14 each with ten to play.

Ballygarvan, who hadn't led at any stage, went in front as Kevin Lyons, on the run split the posts from over his shoulder, which sent the Ballygarvan bench into raptures with eight left to play.

Kilbrittain hit back. First with Ustionowski's goal then Philip Wall and Hickey with points: They were back in the driving seat 1-17 to 0-15.

Even though Ballygarvan did manage to hit three without reply, time wasn't on their side.

Scorers for Kilbrittain: M Hickey 0-12 (0-9 f), C Ustionowski 1-0, P Wall 0-2, J O'Donovan, R Crowley 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballygarvan: D O'Connor 0-7 (0-3 f), D Mackey 0-3 f, S Fenton, K Lyons, R O'Halloran 0-2 each, N Dowd, C O'Regan 0-1 each.

KILBRITTAIN: D Desmond; D Considine, J Hurley, E O'Neill; A Holland, T Sheehan, C Sheehan; S Sexton, J O'Donovan; M Hickey, P Wall, R Crowley; C Hogan, L Griffin, B Butler.

Subs: T Harrington for C Hogan (47), C Ustionowski for J O'Donovan (49), D Harrington for E O'Neill (49).

BALLYGARVAN: D Mackey; P Ryan, T O'Sullivan, E Mackey; S White, P O Halloran, C McIntyre; C O'Regan, M O'Mahony; K Lyons, R O'Halloran, S Fenton; N Dowd, M Cussen, D O'Connor.

Subs: S O'Donovan for T O'Sullivan (3 mins inj), E O'Connor for K Lyons.

Referee: Dave Twomey (Shanballymore).