SHAMROCKS Exciting Junior A Hurling Championship semi-final win V Ballinhassig on Sunday 13th September 2020 in Ballygarvan.
Travelling to play Ballinhassig in a hurling championship match is always a daunting task. I always say the toughest Clubs to play in Hurling in Cork are Ballinhassig, Newcestown and Bride Rovers! Our young team, sprinkled with some serious experience, had prepared very well, under Coach Dave Nolan and the backroom team of Alan Geary, Jim Ronayne, Kevin O’Grady and Liam Shanahan. The game itself didn’t disappoint, as Shamrocks thundered out of the blocks, upsetting a complacent looking Ballinhassig. There were some outstanding tussles throughout the Pitch, notably between Cathal and ‘Hassigs full forward Stephen Dineen. This account won’t break down the match score by score. We were leading at halftime 1-10 to 1-8.’ Water break time’, halfway through each half is now a feature of every match, due to Covid-19 and at the break in the second half, we were a point down. 15 mins to go and all to play for!
Hurling is a game, especially in the white heat of battle, where there is no place for half-hearted efforts or any form of fear or lack of courage. By God , our lads have huge heart, bravery, courage and great skill and gave it everything as we went down to the wire. … a point up..a draw.. a point down,… equaliser!!..time almost up..breathless stuff!! To think clearly on the sideline, and on the field of play, wins matches. Our 3 subs who came on all contributed. Notice, I’ve refrained from naming players, and we had towering performances from almost all, but we keep that information for ourselves. Our Captain, Mark Hitchmough, delivered the winning point on the stroke of full time, to unleash scenes of joy among those of us lucky enough to have been there.
Full Time Score: Shamrocks 2-20, Ballinhassig 3-16: We are now relishing the prospect of playing our old rivals, Kinsale, in the Carrigdhoun Division South East Hurling Final 2020, provisionally fixed for Ballinspittle Sun. 27th Sept. Na Seamroga Abu!…
TEAM: S. Keane, C. O’Grady, C. Kidney, S.Kelleher. B. Mulqueen, M. Hitchmough, S.Collins. N.Hayes, D.Andrews, R.Twomey, A.O’Grady, S. Andrews. H. Andrews, J. Boylan, D. Kennedy.
Subs used: J.Tuohy, C. O’Neill, M. Jordan.
Liam O Seanacháin..Runai