PJHC v Kilbrittain
15 August, 2023
Barryroe 1-14 (17) Kilbrittain 2-09 (15)
Our Premier Junior hurlers came good in Clonakilty to get their second consecutive win in the group stage of the championship, despite a shaky patch in the second half.
Barryroe playing with the diagonal wind advantage made the early running and with Daniel O’Driscoll on the 40 proving to be the games dominant forward in the early exchanges with three well taken points, ably assisted by a monster point from James Maloney. Barryroe leading 0-04 to 0-01 with 10 minutes played. Good work on the breaking ball saw Olan convert his first free on 11, followed by Ryan’s opening score on 17. Barryroe leading 0-06 to 0-03 with 20 minutes played. Kilbrittain scores all from place balls at this stage. When James Maloney won a breaking ball and passed back to goalkeeper Micheal who in turn nailed an 80m pass to Donal Ó Buachalla who finished expertly for the games outstanding score on 23. This was quickly followed by an Olan 65 and a peach of a point by the industrious Ryan O’Donovan. Barryroe leading 0-09 to 0-05 with half time approaching. The first half drama hadn’t concluded yet, Ryan floated in a sideline from 45 yards and Olan was on hand to bat home to send the Barryroe supporters in the stand into raptures. Barryroe retired at the short whistle with a well deserved lead of 1-09 to 0-05.
The second period was a stop start affair with a series of injuries disrupting the flow of the game. 13 second half minutes had elapsed before Olan from a place ball got the score board working again for either team. Two Kilbrittain goals in a minute, the first after a long delivery, the second after a well worked move blew the game wide open. Barryroe’s lead reduced to the minimum 1-11 to 2-07 with 56 minutes having passed. Although everyone in attendance knew there would be a large amount of injury time to be played. Massive credit to players and the subs who dug in and refused to wilt under the pressure. The impressive Kilbane on 59 and Olan’s first from play on 61 restored Barryroe’s lead and when Robbie Kiely on 64 slotted over following trojan work by Sean Holland and Darren McCarthy it was to be Barryroe’s day running out victors 1-14 to 2-09 in a tough battle. We wish injured players from both clubs speedy recoveries.
Comhghairdeas to the panel of players, management and backroom team on getting another vital two points. The team showed good composure when Kilbrittain drew level in the closing stages. The team is improving and there is still plenty of room for further improvement and progress, which is really heartening. Barryroe will play Milford in their final group game on Friday 1st September in Coachford at 7pm.
Barryroe: Micheál Whelton, Sean O'Riordan, Tomas Ó Buachalla, Michael Ryan, Stephen Madden, James Moloney (capt) 0-01, Jerome O'Brien, David Murphy, Adam McSweeney, Donal Ó Buachalla 0-01, Daniel O'Driscoll 0-03, Michael Walsh, Ryan O'Donovan 0-02, Robbie Kiely 0-01, Olan O'Donovan 1-05 (0-04f). Subs used: Jack Murphy, Sean Holland, Darren McCarthy, Ryan Kilbane 0-01, Conn Dineen. Remaining Panel: Patrick Moloney, Ross O'Donovan, Brian O'Donovan, Ciaran O'Regan, Gavin Sweetnam, Conor O'Regan, Sean Ryan, Killian Sheehy, Diarmuid McCarthy, Geoffrey Wycherley, Michael Wycherley, Ronan Fleming, Aidan Walsh, Flor Wycherley, Gavin O'Donovan, Ronan Coakley, Brian Murphy, Cathal Sheehy.