JBM thrilled with standout shows from Barrs' big players

The Cork legend felt the demands of the previous week’s Cork Premier SHC loss to Sarsfields had an impact, but the footballers eventually cranked up a gear.

Brian Hayes, St Finbarr's gets his fist to the ball to score his goal past Ballincollig keeper Jack Gibbons and Frank Down in their McCarthy Insurance Group Senior FC semi-final match at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture Dan LinehanSt

An uninspired first half, but a much-improved second half, is how St Finbarr’s selector Jimmy Barry Murphy analysed their Cork Premier SFC semi-final 2-13 to 1-10 victory over Ballincollig.

The Cork legend also felt the demands of the previous week’s Cork Premier SHC one-point loss to Sarsfields had an impact.

“This is our third semi-final in a row, we lost the last two, so we were very conscious of that coming down. Our first-half performance was very poor, very flat, no energy. Three points from frees in 30 minutes was a very poor return, compared to the way we played against Castlehaven. I don’t think it, in any way, reflected our ability. But, I suppose you give credit to Ballincollig, they came with a game plan and they defended very well and they were much more ready for the game than we were.

“It can be difficult for the dual players, to be fair to them. You are talking about eight or nine players who started last Sunday (hurling) started today, and the disappointment of losing obviously takes a few days to get over. They take great pride in hurling as well. I think, maybe, the first half was a reflection of that.

“It is difficult, but it is great to be there, and we love every minute of it. Last Sunday against Sarsfields, that game could have gone any way. We are in a county final now and that is all you want to do.” 

The match came to life in the second half, after the Barrs trailed 0-3 to 0-4 at the interval. Steven Sherlock’s leadership was pivotal. He restarted the game in a higher gear.

“Our second half was a much better performance from that point of view, while being far from perfect. It was a huge improvement on our first half.

“Steven got us a real crucial two-pointer because we were struggling to get the ball in beyond the Ballincollig half-back line. When you have a player like Steven to do that from outside the arc, it was a brilliant two-pointer. Steven, by his own admission, was struggling a bit in the first half but he turned it on. 

“Again, it is a team effort. I also thought Ian Maguire had a magnificent second half, thundered into the game at midfield and started to create the extra man, which we are good at, and that was important.

“Big players always turn up on the big day. There were other players who played very well but I thought in particular those two were exceptional in the second half because Steven is a talisman for us and all the year he has been getting great scores. His contribution again today was huge.” 

St Finbarr’s repelled a goal chance, but Ballincollig did grab a major to draw level 1-8 apiece.

“Darragh Newman has been exceptional for us this year, his development as a goalkeeper has been fantastic. Our former goalkeeper John O’Brien puts in a huge amount of work with him. That was a crucial turning point even though Ballincollig fought back with a goal from a breaking ball and the momentum was with them again. But I thought our more direct play and our pace all around the field seemed to come into play.” 

The Barrs' second goal came from Brian Hayes, which effectively propelled them to victory.

“It came from a long kick in by Cillian Myers Murray. I’m just glad that we got it. Some days you get them, some days you don’t.

“Our subs did very well. We have options on the bench this year. You’ve got to use them if they’re there. Some days players have an off day and some of our hurlers from last Sunday showed the effect of the hurling game. Tiredness and fatigue from all the games.” 

A first final since 2022 awaits. It is Nemo again.

“Yes, the old enemy. It is fantastic. They ground out a great win today. Barrs and Nemo games take on a life of their own. They have a fabulous record in finals and we have to respect them, as we do.

“We have a lot of players coming through from our minor teams and we hope we will have a good next couple of years ahead of us.”