Ballinascarthy claim Carbery JAHC title at expense of dogged Kilbree

Ballinascarty's Timmy Cullinane clears the ball downfield in spite of a tackle from Kilbree's Michael Keohane. Picture: David Creedon

Carbery JAHC final: Ballinascarthy 0-22 Kilbree 1-16

Ballinascarthy won their first Carbery junior A hurling title since 2022 at the expense of Kilbree in Kilbrittain.

In Carbery GAA’s centenary year, an eighth West Cork JAHC success was richly deserved for JC O’Flynn’s side in front of an appreciative attendance.

Ten points from the outstanding Brian O’Donovan along with influential Jeremy Ryan and Ciarán Nyhan performances helped Bal see off a dogged Kilbree.

The runners-up pushed hard for what would have been a late equalising goal but to no avail.

In the end, fourteen wides blighted Kilbree’s chances of a first West Cork title in five years. The excellent Jim Shanahan ended up on the losing team despite amassing 1-7.

Having lost last year’s West Cork hurling decider after a replay, Ballinascarthy’s manager was delighted for his players and eager to make their mark in the upcoming county championship.

“We came up short last year but I knew after last Friday night’s training session that there was no way we were being beaten today,” JC O’Flynn commented.

“There was a sheer focus and you saw the work rate there at the end to keep Kilbree out.

“Carbery (hurling) is never given a chance in the county. It is up to us now. We have two weeks to get things right. I believe there is better hurling in us.” Ballinascarthy led 0-14 to 1-7 at the short whistle off the back of a strong wind and Brian O’Donovan and Jeremy Ryan’s accuracy.

Jim Shanahan’s opportunistic 26th minute goal kept Kilbree in touch and they were still four points behind heading into the final quarter.

Brian O’Donovan and Shanahan exchanged frees prior to the former and Connail Cullinane efforts making it 0-21 to 1-12.

A brace of Shanahan frees and a long-range Dylan Coffey effort brought Kilbree to within a goal of their opponents amid the dying embers.

Jeremy Ryan’s injury-time 65’ gave Ballinascarthy breathing room despite a late Shanahan free and another placed sliotar that the Bal defence blocked to confirm their victory.

Scorers for Ballinascarthy: B O’Donovan 0-10 (0-6 f), J Ryan 0-5 (0-2 f, 0-1 65’), T Cullinane, Connail Cullinane 0-2 each, C Ryan, C O’Neill, B Murray 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilbree: J Shanahan 1-7 (0-3 f), D Coakley 0-3 (0-3 f), E Shanahan, C Twohig, D McCarthy, M Keohane, J O’Donovan, D Coffey (0-1 f) 0-1 each.

BALLINASCARTHY: D Hennessy; S O’Brien, D Nyhan, G O’Leary; C O’Neill, C Nyhan, J Ryan; S Ryan, L Murray (captain); T Cullinane, C Ryan, Cillian Cullinane; Connail Cullinane, B O’Donovan, C O’Brien.

Subs: A O’Donovan for J Ryan (7, blood), J Ryan for A O’Donovan (10, blood), A O’Donovan for G O’Leary (20), B Murray for C Ryan (ht), E O’Driscoll for C O’Brien (47).

KILBREE: W Tyner; C Murphy, L O’Brien, J Bailey; S O’Donovan, K Keohane, D Coffey; B Deasy, M Keohane; D Coakley, J O’Donovan (captain), D McCarthy; E Shanahan, C Twohig, J Shanahan.

Subs: M O’Donovan for D McCarthy (43), B O’Donovan for E Shanahan (47), G McCarthy for M Keohane (54).