Ballinhassig lay down championship marker with league final victory

Ballinhassig 2-20 Courcey Rovers 3-13

(JJ Hurley)

Ballinhassig laid down an early marker for the upcoming championship with a deserved victory over Courcey Rovers in the South East Junior A Hurling League Final at Riverstick on Thursday night.

Credit to the Ballinspittle outfit for battling throughout, but second-half goals from James Lombard and man-of-the-match Luke Farley proved decisive as Ballinhassig claimed the title.

In perfect hurling conditions, Ballinhassig opened the scoring through Eddie Finn before James Coakley quickly levelled for Courcey Rovers. With the sides exchanging points, Dean Cosgrave made it all square in the sixth minute.

However, Ballinhassig's midfield pairing of Eddie Finn and Darren Delea began to dominate, allowing their side to reel off four unanswered points through Ronan Casey, Luke Farley, Eddie Finn and Richie Lombard.

By the 12th minute, Ballinhassig had opened up a 0-8 to 0-3 lead.

Daire Lordan responded with two points to keep Courcey in touch, but Ballinhassig continued to find scores, including one from Tom Madden.

An exchange of points left the scoreboard reading 0-12 to 0-7 in the 26th minute before Brendan Ryan's excellent pass picked out Lordan, who finished clinically to the net and reignited the contest.

Ballinhassig replied with points from Richie Lombard and Gavin Sheehan to take a 0-14 to 1-7 advantage into half-time.

Courcey Rovers made a flying start to the second half and briefly took the lead. A goal from former Cork minor Darragh Winters helped them edge in front, 2-9 to 0-14.

Ballinhassig responded impressively. James Lombard struck for a crucial goal before Tom Madden added three points to restore control, leaving the winners 1-17 to 2-9 ahead by the 44th minute.

Ballinhassig could have stretched their advantage further only for Luke Farley to drive narrowly wide when through on goal, while David Hickey produced an outstanding save to deny Madden.

As both sides continued to produce some fine scores, including an excellent point from Brendan Ryan, Farley finally found the net in the 55th minute to put the result beyond doubt at 2-19 to 2-12.

Courcey Rovers refused to give in, with Jerry O'Neill adding a point before James Coakley finished well for a late goal, but Ballinhassig comfortably saw out the closing stages to secure a deserved victory.

Scorers – Ballinhassig: T. Madden 0-5 (3f), L. Farley 1-3, R. Lombard 0-4 (2f), J. Lombard 1-2, R. Casey, D. Delea 0-2 each, E. Finn, S. McCarthy 0-1 each.

Courcey Rovers: D. Lordan 1-3, J. Coakley 1-1, D. Winters 1-0, J. O'Neill, D. Cosgrave, B. Ryan 0-2 each, J. O'Callaghan, C. Morgan, J. Harrington 0-1 each.

Ballinhassig: A. O'Leary; J. Lyham, M. Desmond, S. Butler; S. McCarthy, M. Sheehan; P. O'Regan, E. Finn, D. Delea, R. Lombard, R. Casey; G. Sheehan, T. Madden, L. Farley, D. O'Sullivan.

Subs: A. O'Mahony for E. Finn, J. Lombard for R. Casey (39).

Courcey Rovers: D. Hickey; G. Galvin, C. Daly, P. Galvin; B. White, B. Ryan; D. Coakley, D. Cosgrave, J. O'Callaghan, C. Morgan, J. Harrington; D. Lordan, J. Coakley, B. Collins, R. Nyhan.

Subs: D. Winters for R. Nyhan (25), J. O'Neill for D. Cosgrave (43), C. Hickey for B. Ryan (53).

Referee: Brian Coniry.

Chairman of the Carrigdhoun Division, Myles Barry, presents Ballyinhassig's captain Micheal Sheehan with the Junior A Hurling Trophy as league champions for 2026, following their victory over Courcey Rovers