Ballymartle 4-16, Shamrocks 0-12
Shamrocks were dumped out of the championship by Ballymartle’s second team last Tuesday night.
Apart from Joe Shanahans first half free taking which was excellent (mostly frees created by himself) and a 10 minute burst in the second half that yielded an unanswered 4 points, Shamrocks were destroyed. The lads tried their best in fairness but we all knew this result was coming for a long time.
Ballymartle got an early 2 goal blast and led 2-4 to 0-2 after 10 minutes. Shamrocks were under serious pressure at this stage but did respond, with Shanahan looking lively. He slotted over a few frees and allied to Stephen Keanes goal bound effort that flashed over the bar, brought the deficit back to 4 points. But Bally responded with 2 late points and they led 2-9 to 0-6 at half time.
Shamrocks looked to get a good start to the second half but whatever chance they had, was well and truly extermainated when yet another Shamrocks first touch went astray and the Ballymartle corner forward picked up the loose ball and slammed yet another one beyond the frustrated Michael O’Neill in the Shamrocks goal. That was game over.
Shamrocks did respond with some excellent scores from Shanahan and Keane (his 3rd excellent effort flashing just over the bar) but it was merely a 10 minute respite and the frees conceded soon followed. Ballymartle did as they pleased in the last 10 minutes. Joe Shanahan and Stephen Keane were Shamrocks best players on the night (both just back from holidays with no hurling done) while Stephen O’Reilly, Brian Sweeney and sub Cathal Kidney tried hard.
As so another hurling year goes by with a total of 2 wins this time in the entire hurling club (both against Crosshaven, last year it was 6, with the 21’s it could be a maximum 4).
Our thanks to the hurling mentors John Twomey (Shanbally), Declan O’Neill (who put in a massive effort in hurling and brought a new angle to training), Pat O’Neill, John Hanley and Dick Andrews. Your efforts are very much appreciated by the club.
Team: M. O’Neill, J. Tuohy, S. O’Reilly, S. Andrews, B. Mulqueen, B. Sweeney, J. Browne, F. O’Neill, T. O’Mahony, A. McCarthy, S. Keane, B. Cusack, J. Shanahan, G. Beatty, D. O’Sullivan. Subs used – C. Brady, C. Kidney, D. Collins
