Barryroe played to put smiles on community's faces after tragic loss of former player
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.
Barryroe's Bandon Co-op Carbery Junior A FC success last Sunday arrived in the shadow of David Walsh's death. David, 24, played football with Barryroe, as well as Ibane Gaels until U-21. Current Barryroe captain Olan O'Donovan and corner forward Ryan O'Donovan, both of whom played minor and U-21 football for Cork, are David's first cousins.
An accomplished goalkeeper who won many underage league and championship medals, Barryroe had paid tribute to "a pleasant and affable young man, very popular with his teammates and mentors."
David's death meant the final with St. Mary's was rescheduled to Sunday at Moneyvollihane, Castlehaven, when Barryroe came through by 1-9 to 0-9 to claim a second Carbery title in three years.
Afterwards, team manager Norman Fleming spoke about a traumatic time for the community.
"Yes, it was tragic circumstances at home last week. Our hearts go to all the family and their friends. The lads really rallied around the boys (Ryan and Olan) all week, which is great to see. And the community at home was great. I'm delighted that the boys tried to put a smile on everybody's face today and they definitely did."
The match itself began slowly. Barryroe didn't score until the 14th minute, before kicking 1-4 in seven minutes, with captain Olan O'Donovan contributing 1-2.
Fleming explained, "Mary's came out and controlled the ball there for the first five, six, seven minutes. We couldn't get our hands on the ball. They just held on to it. Luckily we got a couple of great scores. Olan got a great goal, kicked a couple of lovely points and we kind of looked to be going well.
"But in true Mary's fashion, they just come back as they always do, they ground us down, got a couple of points before half-time, and it was just a goal in at half-time."
On not winning their own kick-outs in the first half, he added, "There's no point in saying otherwise. It's not like Liam (Colbert, their 'keeper) he's usually a cool, calm customer. Just maybe today the lads (St. Mary's) had their homework done on us. But look, when one thing doesn't go right, you have to find another way to grind it out, and the lads did that."
Man of the Match award winner Mike Collins was one of the key figures, unlocking St. Mary's domination. "He's a class act, he's young and free, no fear. It's lovely to watch a young fella like that put on an exhibition, and boy, did he today.
"And Olan, I suppose, kept a good day for himself as well. He's only 21 himself, but he's mature beyond his years, and he kicked some excellent scores for us today. He's been a leader for us all since he's come onto the team a couple of years ago, and he proved it again today. Ryan (O'Donovan) got a great two-pointer at the start of the second half."
Agreeing that Barryroe had to grind out the result, he continued, "Daniel Moloney (half back) came up the field and kicked an outstanding point that was so badly needed because we were under the cosh at the time, and I'm delighted for him."
Next up is Castlemagner in the county quarter-final: "We won the West Cork three years ago, and we met them in the first round the week after, and they turned us over. So we need to knuckle down Tuesday night now, back into training, get ready for next Sunday again."
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