Junior Footballers into Carbery Final
22 October, 2023
Barryroe 5-10 Ballinascarthy 1-11
Barryroe are through to the Carbery Junior A Football final against Kilmacabea, bridging a twenty year gap since we last contested for the ultimate honour in the Southwest division. In heavy underfoot conditions in Enniskeane on Sunday evening, Barryroe had three goals to spare over a game Ballinascarthy after an enjoyable and sporting contest.
Barryroe began with a bang. With Robbie Kiely calling the early midfield shots, Sean O'Riordan solid as a rock in the backs, and Sean Holland roaming to good effect up front, Barryroe struck for two goals in as many minutes, Olan with a bullet on 6' followed by a well-placed finish by Sean Holland on 7' had seen Barryroe into an early lead, 2-01 to 0-02. Olan was again to the fore on 15' with a well taken point but it was Ballinascarthy who were now dominating possession and territory. Points on 23', 24' and 27' had seen the gap reduced to the minimum before Ballinascarthy struck for their opening goal in first half injury time. 1-07 to 2-02 at the short whistle with Barryroe having it all to do.
Some astute switches at the half time break stemmed the Ballinascarthy momentum and substitute Mark Crowley was on hand on 35' to get the half's opening score. Barryroe were now gaining a foothold in the middle third but were still finding it difficult to punch through until half back Tomás Buachalla spotted on opening on 45' and finished with aplomb to draw parity on the scoreboard, 3-03 to 1-09. Barryroe now in the ascendancy and a Ryan O'Donovan free on 52' was looking like the deciding score until deep in injury time, Ballinascarthy levelled to leave the score 3-04 to 1-10. Extra time to follow.
A heavy shower in the early stages of extra time sent the supporters scurrying for shelter and when they returned in the concluding stage of the first period they saw Mark Crowley lift the roof off the net on 69'. Supporters had missed scores by Sean Holland on 60', Ryan on 64' and Brian O'Donovan on 66'. Barryroe now had a commanding lead at half time of extra time, 4-07 to 1-10. Brian O'Donovan effectively settled the tie in the opening minute of the second period with a another major, Barryroe's fifth of the day, following good running by Jerome O'Brien. Further points by Ryan on 75' and 77' and Olan on 78' brought the curtain down on proceedings. A very fit and stronger Barryroe running out winners 5-10 to 1-11.
Great credit due to St. Mary's GAA Club for having the pitch in such great condition considering the volume of rain that has fallen in the past few weeks.
Gearoid Holland, James Moloney, Sean O'Riordan, Patrick Moloney, Tomas Ó Buchalla 1-00, David O'Sullivan (Capt.), Jerome O'Brien, Robbie Kiely, Conn Dineen, David Murphy, Sean Holland 1-01, Brian O'Donovan 1-01, Ryan O'Donovan 0-05 (2f, 1m), Adam McSweeney, Olan O'Donovan 1-02. Subs used: Donal Ó Buachalla, Mark Crowley 1-01, Diarmuid McCarthy, Michael Walsh, Jack Cahalane. Remaining panel: Alan Kiely, Cathal Sheehy, Daniel O'Driscoll, Steven Madden, Sean Ryan, Darren McCarthy, Conor O'Regan, Ciaran O'Regan, Conor Tyndall, Geoffrey Wycherley, Gavin O'Donovan, Aidan Walsh, Killian Sheehy.
Photo credit: Martin Walsh, Southern Star
