Late Eugene O'Leary goal preserves Ballyhea's Cork SAHC status

Fermoy have been relegated to the Premier IHC

Ballyhea's Cailean Cox goes high with Fermoy's Darragh Daly during the Co-Op Superstores Senior AHC relegation play-off at Kildorrery. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Cork SAHC relegation play-off: Ballyhea 1-17 Fermoy 0-15 

Proud of their club, proud of their players. That’s how Ballyhea selector Johnny O’Callaghan described the feeling in Kildorrery, after Eugene O’Leary’s late goal preserved their Senior A status and sent Avondhu rivals Fermoy down to Premier Intermediate.

And you could clearly see the relief, just how much this victory meant to Ballyhea as the players, management and supporters alike embraced one another afterwards.

“These lads have absolutely given us everything the whole year,” O’Callaghan said after. “We had a tough group and we've had a huge amount of injuries throughout the season, to be honest. But they kept at it and they kept believing.

“And that's why we love Ballyhea. We’re a very proud senior club. There’s a great tradition here – great belief, great heart – and I thought our lads stood up really well today.” 

It was a ferocious battle between the north Cork sides from start to finish. When Fionn Lardner slotted over a Fermoy free in the 57th minute, they had the gap back to two, 0-16 to 0-14, no closer than they had been for much of the second period.

For a lengthy spell on Saturday, Ballyhea’s lead was formidable. But, in the third quarter, Fermoy chipped away. Each time they were on the verge of getting back to within one, Ballyhea would find a score.

But, 44 seconds after Lardner’s point, Ballyhea would come swinging back. John Morrissey popped a beautiful short pass over a couple of Fermoy heads, and O’Leary caught it and thundered towards goal. Jack Lynch – the only black and amber defender in his way – was quickly shaken off. O’Leary lashed it to the far corner.

Hammer, nail, coffin.

O’Leary took the long way around the goal in celebration; Ballyhea went into raptures.

Fermoy fought desperately, to their credit. And they could certainly feel aggrieved by some of the decision making. Their seven-year senior stint hung by a thread, and they pressed hard. A close-range free offered a sliver of hope, but Fionn Lardner’s goal attempt went over the bar.

Then, in the 64th minute, Maurice O’Sullivan cut what sliver remained of that Fermoy thread with another Ballyhea white flag. It left the gap five at the finish.

“In fairness to Fermoy, they threw everything at us,” O’Callaghan added. “It was a fantastic game. I’m thrilled more for the players than anything else. Because they have absolutely given us everything.” 

Ballyhea’s first-half plan worked a treat. A double sweeper act caused their opponents early problems, and Fermoy pushed one up to create a four-man half-forward line. But, by the time they got to grips with Ballyhea’s approach, they trailed 0-6 to 0-2 after 15 minutes.

By the 26th minute, that Ballyhea lead was six, 0-10 to 0-4. Tom Hanley had been a nuisance for Fermoy any time he had possession. Hanley would add a sideline cut to take his tally to four in the 29th minute, and Ballyhea would lead 0-12 to 0-7 at the break.

But no such Ballyhea control would be found in the latter half. Fermoy tied Hanley up, and sent Pádraig De Róiste forward. Five of the first seven points would come Fermoy’s way, and suddenly they were back within a chance.

A chance that was in reach, for what felt like so, so long. But O’Leary would grab the game’s only goal and send Fermoy packing.

Scorers for Ballyhea: P Daly (0-7, 0-5 f, 0-1 65), T Hanley (0-4, 0-1 sdl), E O’Leary (1-0), M O’Sullivan, J Morrissey (0-2 each), C Cox, K Morrissey (0-1 each).

Scorers for Fermoy: F Lardner (0-9 f), K Morrisson (0-3), S Aherne, D Lardner, P De Róiste (0-1 each).

BALLYHEA: M Browne; A Barrett, D Crowley; L Hanley; C Cox, J Hennessy, C Crowley, T Hanley; P Daly, W Carroll; J Morrissey, M O’Sullivan, G Morrissey; T Hanley, E O’Leary.

Subs: K Morrissey for L Hanley (47-50 temp), K Morrissey for G Morrissey (50), D Copps for Carroll (52).

FERMOY: H Bates; J O’Brien, L Aherne; B O’Sullivan; C Roche, P Murphy, J Molloy; C Fitzpatrick, P De Róiste; Darragh Daly, F Lardner, K Morrisson, M Brennan; S Aherne, D Lardner.

Subs: J O’Keeffe for D Lardner (5-6 temp), J O’Keeffe for Fitzpatrick (HT), D O’Callaghan for Brennan (46), B Twomey for Aherne (50).

Referee: I McCarthy (Bandon)