Carrigaline take the nod in classic encounter

Carrigaline 0-20 Ballymartle 1-16

(JJ Hurley)

Carrigaline advanced to the knock-out stages of the Coop Superstore Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship after a classic encounter with their neighbours, Ballymartle, in Minane Bridge on Sunday.

Level 12 times over the lifetime of this fascinating encounter, it was almost the last puck of the contest before the destination of the all-important league points became clear, as Carrig captain, Brian Kelleher, landed the final score.

From the word go, it was clear that both sides were up for the contest, with both sides refusing to give the other side an advantage, as three early points from Enna Desmond (2) and David Drake(1) were cancelled out by the 12^th minute as Ballymartle’s talisman Ryan Deasy (2) and Luke O’Callaghan tied up the game.

The Riverstick side hit the front moments later, when Brian Corry fired over, but he had seen a goal opportunity saved minutes earlier by Carrigaline’s Robert Foster.

Carrigaline roared back into the contest, with three unanswered points, which included a brace from Drake.

The Carrigaline advantage didn’t last long as Deasy fired over two frees and the sides were level on 0-6 to 0-6, on the 18^th minute.

It was advantage Ballymartle minutes later as Luke O’Callaghan sent over a fine point

Eoghan Healy could have put Bally in the box seat, but he couldn’t find the net, with another goal chance.

Approaching half-time and with the sides now deadlocked on 0-9 to 0-9, Brian Kelleher was upended in the Ballymartle square and referee Simon Stokes had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Kelleher opted to take the free shot himself, but Darren McCarthy produced a super save to keep the sides level at the interval.

It was as you were in the early stages of the second half, as Deasy’s opening score was cancelled out by Dan Green.

 It was still all level on 40 minutes, following additional scores, but when Shane Cummins played in Ryan Deasy for a certain goal, Steven Williamson threw his body in front of the shot to keep the sides at parity.

Kelleher then gave his side an advantage as he swung over another point.

 Ballymartle should have found the net moments later when John McCarthy looked to have scored an all-important goal.

However, the umpire pointed to the side netting.

Another Kelleher score produced a little daylight between the sides, but Cillian Lordan and Shane Cummins combined to set up Luke O’Callaghan for the only goal of the match.

Ballymartle claimed the next two scores, including a well taken score by Fionn Desmond as they led by 1-14 to 0-15 on 54 minutes.

As the teams turned for home and with  both sets of supporters roaring on their charges, Carrig claimed the next three points, including a brace from second half sub, Finn O’Connell.

Refusing to go away, Deasy levelled the game once more on the stroke of regulation time, as no one took their eyes off the contest.

Advantage Carrig from a Desmond point, was cancelled out by another Deasy free, as the time ticked away.

 With any outcome still possible, up stepped Kelleher to seal the deal, with the final score of the game, as his side march onto the ¼ finals.

Scorers for Carrigaline: B Kelleher 0-8 (3f, 1 65); E Desmond 0-5, D Drake 0-3, F O’Connell, H Andrews, R Kelleher and D Greene 0-1 each.

Ballymartle: R Deasy 0-12 (11f); L O’Callaghan 1-2, B Corry, F Desmond 0-1 each.

CARRIGALINE: R Foster; D Greene, S Williamson, D King; H Andrews, K Kavanagh, C Vaughan; B O’Driscoll, J McCarthy; R O’Shea, P Mellett, D Drake; B Kelleher, E Desmond, K O’Reilly.

Subs: N O’Keeffe for O’Driscoll (35 blood sub); F O’Connell for P Mellett (40), R Kelleher for Andrews (60).

BALLYMARTLE: D McCarthy; C Coleman, TJ Murphy, E O’Leary; J Dwyer, R Cahalane, S Corry; F Desmond, S Dorney; S Cummins, E Healy, E Deasy; C Lordan, B Corry, L O’Callaghan.

Subs: P Dorney for O’Leary (30); J McCarthy for Dwyer (39), D Desmond for Dorney (60).

Referee: Simon Stokes.

Carrigaline boss, Eddie Murphy, and Finn O' Connell, who claimed two important late scores in their side's win over Ballymartle in the Co Op Superstore Premier Intermediate Championship in Minane Bridge on Sunday.