Junior Hurling Championship

Lisgoold 1-17 Bride Rovers 2-10

Having used 20 players already this year in the Co. Senior Hurling Championship games with Killeagh and Castlelyons, our ‘second string’ travelled to Castlelyons on Saturday evening to take on Lisgoold in the opening round of the East Cork Oil Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship. This was a game of contrasts. Midway through the second half we were eight points up and looked to be cruising. Point by point from frees, Lisgoold brought the deficit down to three and then got a late, late goal to equalize 1-12 to 2-9.

In the 20 minutes of extra time we were outscored by 5 points to 1.We took control of the game early on with some great points from Alan O’Keeffe, Pat Cotter and Richie Cahill. When Barry Hazelwood put over a huge free in the 20th minute we were 3 points up. Points from Jim O’Connor and Daniel Lane and a cracker of a goal from Richie Cahill put us six points ahead at half time 1-9 to 0-6. Lisgoold reduced the margin to 5 on the resumption but then a great overhead flick from Alan O’Keeffe put us eight points ahead. In the remaining time we didn’t score and Lisgoold got 1-5 to draw the game. Once they got the lead in the first period of extra time they went on to win by a margin of 4 points 1-17 to 2-10.

It was a terribly disappointing result as we could have been safely into Round 3 of the championship. Instead we now face a very tough assignment against Russell Rovers in the ‘backdoor’ round. This game has been fixed for next Monday July 6th – time and venue not yet fixed. While we were disappointed to lose on Saturday night, all the players who played, gave us their best and can be very proud of their efforts.

Team: Barry Hazelwood, Shane Kearney, Brendan O’Driscoll, Kieran Manley, Tomás Kearney, Liam Forde, Jim O’Connor, Jason Pratt, Gavin O’Flynn, Mike Hogan, Daniel Lane, Stephen Pratt, Richie Cahill, Alan O’Keeffe, Pat Cotter.

Subs: Pat Walsh, Joe Delaney, Sean O’Brien.