Carey inspires Ballylooby Castlegrace to South Junior A football glory

South Junior A Football Championship Final

Ballylooby Castlegrace 2-14

Clerihan 2-8

Appearing in their third South Junior A football final in a row, Ballylooby Castlegrace claimed their third-ever South title after a tremendous battle with Clerihan, played in Ardfinnan last Saturday evening before a large attendance.

From the throw-in, Ballylooby Castlegrace, playing with the slight breeze, attacked and Ben Carey gave a great pass to Chris O’Donnell, who kicked a point to open the scoring. William Dunne missed a chance to add a point when his effort was just wide.

Harry Hickey then won a free for Clerihan, but his free-kick against the wind was just wide. In the fourth minute, a defensive error gave possession to Clerihan and Gavin Sheehan scored a tremendous goal. Eoin O’Donnell then added a Clerihan point to leave Clerihan three points clear.

Ben Carey then won a free for Ballylooby Castlegrace, took a quick tap-and-go and kicked a great two-pointer. A minute later, Eoin Power made a great save to deny Carey a goal.

Hickey was wide from another free for Clerihan. Donnacha Reidy’s shot was blocked, resulting in a 45 for Ballylooby, but Sean Lonergan’s attempt at a score was off target.

Eoin O’Donnell, after a great run, scored a great point for Clerihan, but Patrick Hennessy responded with a point for Ballylooby Castlegrace.

In the 16th minute, man of the match Ben Carey goaled for Ballylooby Castlegrace. This was followed by a penalty being awarded to Ballylooby Castlegrace when Chris O’Donnell was fouled in the large rectangle. William Dunne sent an unstoppable shot past Eoin Power, putting them five clear.

But Clerihan responded. Shane Cooney won a kick-out and kicked a high ball in, with Eoin O’Donnell on hand to score a great goal, reducing the lead to two points.

Dunne, from a free, extended the lead on 25 minutes, but the response from Clerihan saw Ryan O’Sullivan score two points from frees to leave the half-time score Ballylooby Castlegrace 2-5, Clerihan 2-4.

From the restart, Liam Carey had a fine point to level the game, but Dunne responded with a point from a free, which was cancelled out by a fine point from play from O’Sullivan. A point from play from Conor Parker edged Clerihan in front before Dunne equalised from a free on 39 minutes.

The game was end-to-end at this stage. On 41 minutes, Hickey won a free for Clerihan and O’Sullivan pointed, but Dunne responded with a point from a free to level it on 45 minutes.

In the next few minutes, Jack Owens saw a goal-bound effort brilliantly saved by Clerihan goalkeeper Eoin Power before Shane O’Brien made a great run, with Carey finishing the move with a great point to edge Ballylooby Castlegrace ahead on 50 minutes.

Carey added another point from a free and he was again on target from play a minute later. When Carey added another point from a free on 57 minutes, there seemed no way back for Clerihan, and Ballylooby Castlegrace finished strongly with two further points, a free by O’Donnell that he won himself and a point from play by substitute Filip Miklaszewski, to seal the victory.

Clerihan played their part in an excellent game, but handling errors, particularly up front in the second half, and scoring only four points in the second half contributed to their defeat. Manager Peter Brennan will know that his team can improve and are capable of further progress in the county championship.

Ballylooby Castlegrace manager Pat Morrissey will be delighted with the performance and his substitutes Dylan Morrissey, introduced at half-time, Conor Lonergan coming in at centre field and Filip Miklaszewski in attack, played a key role in seeing out the game.

Ballylooby Castlegrace had the standout player in Ben Carey and he was well supported by Brendan Walsh, Greg Nugent, Chris O’Donnell, Paddy Doyle, Donnacha Reidy and William Dunne.

Best for Clerihan were goalkeeper Eoin Power, Michael Dempsey, Oran Ryan, Shane Cooney, Eoin O’Donnell and Ryan O’Sullivan.

Scorers: Ballylooby Castlegrace: Ben Carey (1-7, 0-3f, 1x2pt), William Dunne (1-3, 1-0 pen, 0-3f), Chris O’Donnell 0-2, Patrick Hennessy, Filip Miklaszewski 0-1 each.

Clerihan: Ryan O’Sullivan (0-4, 0-3f), Eoin O’Donnell 1-1, Gavin Sheehan 1-0, Shane Cooney, Liam Carey, Conor Parker all 0-1 each.

Ballylooby Castlegrace: Sean Lonergan; Gearoid Hurley, Shane O’Brien, Brendan Walsh (Captain); Greg Nugent, Brian O’Donnell, David O’Halloran; Paddy Doyle, Donnacha Reidy; Jack Owens, Ben Carey, Chris O’Donnell; Patrick Hennessy, William Dunne, Paddy Kenneally.

Subs: Dylan Morrissey for Brian O’Donnell (HT); Conor Lonergan for Reidy; Filip Miklaszewski for Patrick Hennessy.

Clerihan: Eoin Power; Scott Walsh, Sean Hahessy, Michael Dempsey; Andrew Hill, Gavin Sheehan, Oran Ryan; Shane Cooney, Leo Curtin; Eoin O’Donnell, Liam Carey, Conor Horan; Harry Hickey, Ryan O’Sullivan, Conor Parker.

Subs: James Butler for Walsh; Eoin Rice for Carey; Issac McCarthy for Hahessy; Tim Norris for Hill; Roan Hally for Parker.

Referee: Brian Tyrell (Moyle Rovers)