JUNIOR HURLERS CROWNED MUNSTER CHAMPIONS

What a historic day for the club last Sunday when we won our first ever Munster title.

There was a fantastic build up to the game and it was even more intense considering the distance between the clubs with friends and relatives on either side of the border. There were Ballygiblin flags erected high on top of the Galtees and Skeheen’ ones sneaking their way into Ballygiblin schools, songs were written and posters erected and slagging from both sides continued all week. The hype and interest in this fixture were unreal and it was no wonder that the game was sold out, with the scramble for tickets similar to any Cork v Tipp Munster clashes. There was little between the sides for 50 minutes of this intense encounter with Ballygiblin just pulling away in those final 10 minutes, outscoring their neighbours 1-05 to 0-02 in that period as we drove home to secure the title. The second goal with 5 minutes remaining by man of the match Sean O’Sullivan putting the seal on a tremendous victory.

Ballygiblin 2-14 Skeheenarinky 1-09

The wet weather all week meant the conditions were always going to be heavy for hurling, but it didn’t stop a cracker of a game which was delayed by 15 minutes with the influx of traffic and fans to the Mallow venue. Both teams showed some nerves in the opening minutes with both notching up 4 wides in the opening 10 minutes. Ballygiblin getting the scoring off with a pointed free from Joseph O’Sullivan from midfield in the opening minute. Joseph flawlessly taking over the free taking duties in the absence of the injured Darragh Flynn. We had 4 quick wides shortly afterwards before Skeheen’ had their opening point from a long range shot on the 6th minute and they took the lead on the 10th minute with a free in front of the posts after a fantastic flick from Ryan Donegan but the play was called back from an earlier foul. Their lead was short lived with Sean O’Sullivan getting on the ball in the corner and despite the tight angle scoring our first from play. Dean Barry then put us ahead with another from play after good work by Kieran Duggan. Skeheen’ had a chance to level from a free but great defence work saw us clear and Joseph then pointed another free after Barry Coffey burst from defence and linked well with Colin English. Leaving 2 between the sides at the water break 0-04 to 0-02.

Each team were giving it their all and no one was getting much space on the ball, we were probably overly elaborate at times with our passes, but we were playing with some intensity. Both teams swapped further wides before a killer blow on the 21st minute as Skeheen’ somehow managed to hit the back of our net against the run of play to take a one-point advantage. We didn’t panic and responded well with Michael Walsh pointing from the puck out and Sean O’Sullivan got his second from play, getting on the end of some great work by the Dillion Sheehan on the wing and we had a further point on the 23rd minute after recycling the ball a number of times and eventually getting a free. However, we were continuing to give away some silly frees in our eagerness to win the ball but thankfully Skeheen’ weren’t able to take advantage of some of these going short on some occasions which we were quick to defend. They then had it down to 1 point with 2 minutes of normal time to play after getting on the end of fine side-line and would level matters on the stroke of half-time with a pointed free. We did have the last say of the half in injury time after great defensive work by Fionn saw us get a free out and a quick free from Joseph into the corner found Sean who was subsequently fouled and Joseph slotted over to give us the 1 point lead at half-time. Ballygiblin 0-08 to 1-04.

Skeheen’ had levelled matters within seconds of the restart with a free and could have taken the lead a minute later but saw their shot go wide. Colin English earned us a free in our own half after helping out our defensive and the ball was bought forward for dissent so within range for Joseph to slot over. Skeheen’ could have again levelled when they got what looked like a lucky free in but decided to go short and good work from Fionn and Ryan saw an eventual free out. We then struck for our first goal when a long ball from Joseph landed in the square and a scramble saw Sean get on end of a shot by Dean and he managed to flick to the net. Skeheen’ responded well with 2 pointed frees while we saw 2 further wides added to our tally. Not a whole lot between the sides at the second water break. Ballygiblin 1-09 Skeheenarinky 1-07.

We had a further wide on the reset and a shot from Darragh Flynn was blocked for a waved wide a minute later, it took the linesman to eventually give us the 65 which Joseph converted. Skeheen’ got a further point from a free but Dean got on the end of the puckout and was fouled for a further point from us and Joseph added another from play when Colin and Mark combined to get the ball to Joseph at midfield for a huge long range point. We had 2 further wides to Skeheen’s one as we headed for the final 5 minutes of normal time leading by 4. It was then that Sean struck for his second goal. When the ball came into him, he had work to do but he had nothing but goal on his mind, taking on his man and heading towards the goal mouth and he hit an absolute rocket to the net nearly causing the roof of the stand to lift - and thankfully there was no way back for Skeheen’ from there.

We followed it up with a fantastic point on the run by Kieran Duggan as he burst up the field. Skeheen’ got their final point of the game from a free on the 29th minute and pushed hard for goal. Christopher Noonan was called on to save a shot on full time and although they managed to get the ball back across the square to a free man we all held our breaths as he struck for goal but somehow his shot hit the side netting. Although we were leading by 7 with only 3 minutes of injury time to play, we continued to play like demons and Barry Coffey won a vital free at midfield for Joseph to slot over before the final whistle was blown to epic celebrations. Ballygiblin winning in the end by 8 points 2-14 to 1-09.

Overall what can be said about this bunch of players that we haven’t mentioned already? The sheer heart displayed in all their games and determination to win every ball and not panic, has been immense. They have lifted the whole community in a time when Covid has dampened people’s spirits and it is hard to believe we are now Munster champions, it’s the stuff of dreams and the show continues as we now enter an All-Ireland semi-final, taking on Fullen Gaels of Manchester on the weekend of the 22/23 Jan.

Team - C Noonan, B O’Gorman, F Herlihy, M Lewis, J Mullins, M Keane, B Coffey, R Donegan, J O’Sullivan (0-09 7F 165), M Walsh ( 0-01), C English, D Sheehan, D Barry (0-01), S O’Sullivan (2-02), K Duggan (0-01). Subs - C O’Sullivan for B O’Gorman (inj), D Flynn for C O’Sullivan, C O’Sullivan for K Duggan.

ALL-IRELAND SEMI-FINALS

We will take on Fullen Gaels of Manchester in the All-Ireland semi-final on the weekend of the 22/23 January. Dates and venue to be confirmed. Our opponents had a dramatic win in their game against Armagh champions Craobh Rua last Sunday, the game going to penalties after the sides were still level after extra time. The other semi-final will see Salthill (Galway) v Mooncoin (Kilkenny) on the same weekend.

AGM POSTPONED

Due the high number of Covid cases of late we have made the decision to postpone our AGM for now, we will hopefully be able to hold it in the coming weeks.

REBELS’ BOUNTY – EARLY BIRD OFFERS

Rebels’ Bounty have an early bird offer until the Monday, January 24 where anyone that signs up will be entered into a draw for All-Ireland final tickets. We will also be holding a Ballygiblin draw for 5 prizes of Ballygiblin merchandise for anyone who signs up before 1 March. To sign up online please go to the Cork GAA website, click on join draw and don’t forget to select Ballygiblin as your club

We really appreciate everyone getting involved in this, so we can met our target this year. It’s a fantastic way to support your club and your county and there’s huge prizes to be won with top prizes each month of €20,000 or €25,000 and one top €100,000 prize. Don’t forget we did have a local winner last year with Killian Molan bagging the top €20,000 in September, so that could be you.

Existing members will be contacted by their seller. If anyone wants their existing draw number, they can contact Ballygiblin Draw Coordinator Eibhlin O’Brien on 0868647356.

THANKS

We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone, the amount of good wishes and lovely messages we have received from near and far and also from clubs around North Cork, has been unreal. It’s great to see such a buzz around the place and the support in Mallow on Sunday was just fantastic. Let’s keep all those flags flying as we continue on our road to hopefully Croke Park in the coming weeks.