Ballinascarthy, maintained their winning start to the Carbery/Beara Division 1 football league with a win over St Colum's.
Ballinascarthy 3-11
St Colum’s 0-8
TWO goals against the strong wind in the first half saw hosts, Ballinascarthy, maintain their winning start to the Dubliner Cheese Carbery/Beara Division 1 football league in wet and windy Ballinascarthy.
Bal had this lively game won by half time when they led by 2-5 to 0-4 against a depleted St Colum’s, who had no sub to call on during the day.
To their credit, the Kealkil men gave as good as they got in that second half but the damage had been done in the first half when Bal dominated, especially at midfield where the strong Sean Ryan and Cathal Nyhan ruled the roost. Bal’s half-back line of Dean Harte, Ciarán Nyhan and Ciarán O’Neill was also in imperious form, with Nyhan helping himself to three points and O’Neill kicking a goal.
For Colum’s, young Cormac O’Connor was a real stand-out figure in the middle third of the pitch and Colum’s have unearthed a fine prospect here. He got great assistance from veterans Dermot Cronin, Stephen Cronin, goalkeeper Mícheál Cronin and John Paul O’Sullivan, as well as Tony Harrington, Michael Casey, Jamie McSweeney, Michael Daly and Rory O’Connor.
But it was the sharper Ballinascarthy who dominated the first half against the strong wind after the sides had shared the first four points. Jamie McSweeney and Cormac O’Connor kicked points for Colum’s while Ciarán Nyhan and David McCarthy answered for Bal.
The strong David Wynne had Bal ahead by a point at the end of the first quarter, 0-3 to 0-2, and the opening goal arrived in the 17th minute when flying wing back Dean Harte set up David McCarthy for a cracking major.
Colum’s rallied following the goal with points from Stephen Cronin and Rory O’Connor but back came Bal with points from McCarthy and Padraig Cullinane. Bal struck a vital blow on the stroke of half time when wing back Ciarán O’Neill rifled the ball to the net following a good Cullinane solo run.
It was 2-5 to 0-4 in favour of Bal at half time and they looked set for a big win with the gale to their backs in the second half but it was much more energised Colum’s which took to the field in the second half as the rain lashed down.
Cormac O’Connor kicked the first point of the half for Colum’s. Bal had to wait for their opening score but then kicked three points in a row from Ciarán Nyhan, David McCarthy (free) and Cillian Cullinane (free).
They squashed any idea Colum’s had of a comeback when McCarthy’s quick free was tapped to the net in the 45th minute by Brian O’Donovan.
The sides traded points in the last quarter but Bal were never in danger and were comfortable winners, having looked highly impressive in the first half against the gale.
Scorers
Ballinascarthy: David McCarthy 1-3 (1f); Brian O’Donovan, Ciarán O’Neill 1-0 each; Ciarán Nyhan, Cillian Cullinane (2f) 0-3 each; Padraig Cullinane, David Wynne 0-1 each.
St Colum’s: Cormac O’Connor 0-3 (1f); Jamie McSweeney 0-2 (1f); Rory O’Connor, John Paul O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
Ballinascarthy: Barry O’Halloran; Stephen Hannon, Chris Ryan, Gearóid O’Leary; Dean Harte, Ciarán Nyhan, Ciarán O’Neill; Sean Ryan, Cathal Nyhan; Seamus McCarthy, David Wynne, Cillian Cullinane; Brian O’Donovan, David McCarthy, Padraig Cullinane.
Subs: Cian Ryan (ht), Cormac McCarthy (46), Aaron O’Donovan (46), Barry Walsh (50), Darren O’Donovan (50).
St Colum’s: Mícheál Cronin; Daniel Lucey, Dermot Cronin, Donal Hurley; Tony Harrington, Eddie O’Sullivan, Michael Casey; Martin Hurley, Jamie McSweeney; Michael Daly, Cormac O’Connor, Rory O’Connor; Aidan O’Donovan, Stephen Cronin, John Paul O’Sullivan.
Referee: Michael Collins (Clonakilty).
