Barryroe GAA

Timoleague, 19:00PM

Evening Echo 26.08.2020

Ibane Gaels hold off Scarra comeback to seal home Premier 1 minor football semi

Ibane Gaels 2-13 Inniscarra 1-11

IBANE Gaels held off a stirring second-half comeback from Inniscarra to secure top spot in their group after this entertaining Premier 1 minor football game at Timoleague on Wednesday evening.

Ibane Gaels held a 13-point lead at the interval following a brilliant first-half display. Cork minor football star Ryan O’Donovan produced an inspired display that enabled his side to secure top spot in the group. 

Both sides have qualified for the semi-final stages of the county championship where they will now face city opposition. Ibane Gaels by virtue of this win will have the benefit of home advantage against Glanmire, while Inniscarra will face a trip to Douglas for their semi-final tie.

Ibane started brightly as they raced into a two-point lead after five minutes with O’Donovan featuring prominently. Ibane netted their opening goal in the 11th minute when O’Donovan finished off great approach play by Sean Walsh and Adam McSweeney. This moved his side into a deserved five-point lead, 1-4 to 0-2.

Ibane were dominant in every sector of the pitch. They proceeded to score 1-5 without reply in the ensuing 19 minutes. O’Donovan struck four points with Andrew Guinevan adding a further point. 

They netted their second goal in the 26th minute. Sean Walsh embarked on a brilliant individual run, before unleashing a powerful drive into the roof of the net for a special goal. Ibane Gaels following a terrific first-half performance held a commanding lead, 2-9 to 0-2 at half-time.

Following a very lethargic display in the first half, Inniscarra improved immeasurably in the second half. They produced a very gallant and battling performance. 

They started the second half impressively with Liam O’Connor and team captain Sean Leisk registering scores for the Muskerry outfit which reduced the deficit to ten points after 40 minutes.

Inniscarra’s hopes of a comeback received a major boost when Oisin O’Brien netted in the 41st minute. O’Brien netted from close range after good play from Mark Linehan.

 Scarra were now firmly in the ascendancy. A further score from Liam O’Connor reduced the arrears to six points after 43 minutes, 2-10 to 1-7.

Ibane star O’Donovan found his scoring touch in the closing stages as he added a few late points to seal a hard-fought win for his side.

Scorers for Ibane Gaels: R O’Donovan 1-10 (0-5 f), S Walsh 1-0, A Guinevan 0-2, F Walsh 0-1.

Inniscarra: O O’Brien 1-0, L O’Connor 0-3 (0-1 f), S Linehan 0-3, S Leisk 0-3 (0-2 f), J Roberts, M Linehan 0-1 each.

IBANE GAELS: L McCarthy; M Wycherley, J Moloney, M Ryan; M Walsh, C Dineen, S O’Riordan; F Walsh, S Henchion; P Flynn, S Walsh, C Walton; A Guinevan; A McSweeney, R O’Donovan.

Subs: M Holland for S Walsh (30), T Buckley for M Wycherley (45).

INNISCARRA: J Goold; N Vaughan, E Piggott, S Quinlivan; C O’Leary, O Morris, K O’Mahony; S Leisk, O O’Brien; J Roberts, L O’Connor, S Linehan; S O’Donoghue, J Enright, S Dineen.

Subs: S Aherne for K O’Mahony (30); M Linehan for S O’Donoghue (30), B Lowney for J Roberts (45).

Referee: Eamonn Sheehy (Newcestown).