Jubilant Barryroe capture Carbery title again

The Mick McCarthy Cup is another journey to the Seven Heads Peninsula.

Barryroe captain Olan O'Donovan celebrates with his team following their victory over St. Mary's in the Bandon Co-op Carbery Junior A Football Championship final at Moneyvollihane, Castlehaven. Picture: Martin Walsh.

Carbery Junior A FC final: Barryroe 1-9 St Mary's 0-9

Amidst joyous scenes Barryroe captured the Mick McCarthy Cup for the second time in three years after pulsating victory over St. Mary's in the Bandon Co-op Carbery Junior A Football Championship final played in glorious sunshine at a well prepared pitch at Moneyvollihane, Castlehaven.

The first quarter produced just two scores - a point apiece from Olan Corcoran, who opened the scoring for St. Mary's after three minutes and a Ryan O'Donovan free equating matters for Barryroe after 14.

After a cagey opening from both sides and with some attempts falling short, O'Donovan's point was the first of a scoring flourish from Barryroe. A minute after his own score, O'Donovan set up Sean Holland for a fine point and Olan O'Donovan made it three on the bounce on 17 minutes. Then gaining possession from the kickout his speculative shot deceived goalkeeper Peter Daly and found the back of the St. Mary's net. 

Team captain (Olan) O'Donovan led by example and from a slick pass Mike Collins finished the four-minute scoring spree to put Barryroe 1-4 to 0-1 ahead. However, St. Mary's showed great tenacity and with points from frees by Jack Eady and Olan Corcoran and Rory O'Connor's kick tipped over by Barryroe keeper Liam Colbert, they made it 1-4 to 0-4 at the short whistle.

Barryroe began the second half with a two-pointer free from the boot of Ryan O'Donovan. The Barryroe defence was resolute but St, Mary's continued to probe and points from Corcoran and Eoin Cullinane following an an incisive run left a goal between the sides.

Approaching the 40m mark the margin was down to a point when half-time sub Brian McCarthy punished Barryroe substitute Diarmuid McCarthy for a foul as he split the posts with a two-pointer to ignite the Castlehaven venue. Jack Eady then brought parity after 49 minutes.

A minute later Daniel Moloney with an exquisite point put Barryroe back in front and while Mary's never gave up, points from Olan O'Donovan and Luke Murphy set the Mick McCarthy Cup on its journey to the Seven Heads Peninsula.

Scorers for Barryroe: O O'Donovan 1-03; R O'Donovan 0-03 (1 2pt free); S Holland, L Murphy and D. Moloney 0-01 each.

Scorers for St. Mary's: O Corcoran 0-03 (0-01 free); B. McCarthy 0-02 (1 2ptfree);J. Eady 0-02 (0-01 free); R O'Connor and E Cullinane 0-01 each 

BARRYROE: L Colbert; M Walsh, S O'Riordan, J. Moloney; C Dineen, D O'Sullivan, D Moloney; D Dineen; T O'Buachalla; O O'Donovan, L Murphy, A McSweeney; M Collins, S Holland, R O'Donovan.

Subs: D McCarthy for D O'Sullivan (38m); J. Collins for S. Holland 49m.

ST. MARY'S:  P Daly; W Hennigan, R Scannell, D Curtin; P McMenamin, B Everard, J Hurley; R O'Connor, C. McGillicuddy; E Cullinane, D O'Donovan; M O'Driscoll; O. Corcoran, J Eady, E Keohane.

Subs: B McCarthy for M O'Driscoll (h.t); N Kelleher for P McMenamin 50m 

Referee: Niall Hayes (Carbery Rangers)