Barryroe GAA

Barryroe, 20:30PM

Match report 'West Cork Gael' Southern Start 22 October '16

Barryroe crowned champions

Barryroe 0-14 Kilbrittain 0-06

Blues make light of horrible weather to clinch junor title.

Barryroe were crowned worthy RCM Tarmacdam South West Junior C hurling champions at their home venue last Friday night following a deserved eight-point victory against Kilbrittain.

Considering the torrential rain cascading down throughout, the standard of hurling stood up remarkably well, as Barryroe fielded their second string, while the black and amber paraded a third selection.

Having comprehensively seen off the challenge of both neighbours Ballinscarthy and Argideen Rangers en route to this final showdown, Barryroe came into the match as warm favourites.

While the Blues duly prevailed, a spirted Kilbrittain never gave up the ghost, particulary thanks to a strong showing by their outstanding midfielder Conor Moloney and tenacious defending by their defence, while goalkeeper Lloyd McSweeney, Dave O'Sullivan, Eoin Hurley, Sean O'Connell and Paudie Hurley playing staring roles.

However at the other end of the pitch, Barryroe's defence was in mean mode also, Donal O'Leary outstanding at corner back, the vastly experienced Ger Coleman a dominant centre back and Shane O'Driscoll together with Conor O'Regan completing a formidable half-back division.

Stephen Hayes hit two Kilbrittain frees early on, but thanks to good play from Denis Harrington and Sean Holland, Harrington opened the Barryroe account in the ninth minute. As conditions deteriorated further, captain Jerome O'Brien was unerring for the Blues, converting a trio of frees between the 12th and 18th minute pushing the victors into a lead, 0-04 to 0-02, that they never relinquished.

Clive Cahalane around the middle third and Killian Lawton and Matt O'Regan were now blending in sweetly and by the interval Barryroe held a double scores advantage, 0-06 to 0-03.

Gamely, Kilbrittain took the battle to their opponents on resumping, but while their defence and midfield continued to perform satisfactorily, up front a marked lack of scoring prowess and penetration was beginning to prove a major problem. Harrington and O'Brien extended the Barryroe advantage as they led 0-10 to 0-03 by the close of the third quarter.

With Kearney, Cahalane, Harrington, Holland, Dave Kiely and defenders Jerry Crowley and Peter Keohane now really on song, Barryroe could afford the luxury of empting a strong substitutes' bench, the game done and dusted well before Conor Moloney got two consolation Kilbrittain points in the final few minutes.

Joe Crowley, chairman of the South West Board, preseneted the cup to a delighted Jerome O'Brien, captain of Barryroe, after the match.

Panel: B.O'Donovan, D.O'Leary, P.Keohane, J.Crowley, S'O'Dricoll, G.Coleman, C.O'Regan, D.Kiely, C.Cahalane, J.O'Brien 0-06f, S.Holland 0-03, K.Lawton, M.O'Regan, D.Harrington 0-04, T.Kearney 0-01, K.McMarthy, K.O'Donovan, A.Carroll, N.Dullea, C.Tyndall, P. Fleming, M.Sexton, A.Fleming (inj), J.Dullea (inj).

Billy clears his lines.

Man down but play goes on.

Clearing the lines.

A drive from Clive.

Ger breaks up another attack.

Water, water everywhere.

Pull.

Midfield tussel.

Joe Crowley presents the trophy to Skipper Jerome O'Brien.

PRO Report

In less than ideal conditions Barryroe ran out deserved winners over a gallant Kilbrittain in the RCM Tarmacadam Junior C Hurling final played under lights in Gaelic Park. Initially the visitors were quicker to settle as two early frees had them leading to no score. The home side adjusted to the poor conditions and some good quality ball into the forwards began to bear dividends as Denis Harrington began to show the way. Conditions suited defences and to a man Barryroe were well on top as the visitors were limited to a single point for the remainder of the half. Both teams welcomed the half time whistle and some respite from the weather, Barryroe leading 0-06 to 0-03 

The home side quickly pulled away in the opening quarter of the 2nd half and extended their lead through some fine scores from Jerome O'Brien, Harrington and Sean Holland. With 10 minutes remaining and Barryroe with an insurmountable lead of 0-12 to 0-04 they emptied the bench and ran out comfortable winners 0-14 to 0-06.

A delighted captain Jerome O'Brien was on hand to raise the Junior C cup aloft for the first time since 2004 which some say was the catalyst for the success that followed and cumulated in the 2007 Junior A County, let's hope 2016 has a similar effect!