JB’s make it two from two to reach QF

A blustery Ballycullen was the venue for our 1st home match against ‘The bogies’ from Cabra. A win would see us top the group and qualify for the 1/4 finals in 4 wks time.

We won the toss and elected to defend the dressing room end in the 1st half. We started well with McCall continuing where he left off the last day, clipping the 1st pt of the game after an incisive run from deep.

Darragh and Daniel were winning the midfield battle which gave us a great platform going forward.  Our youthful full forward line of Kelly, Kirwan and Cashman were giving their opposite numbers plenty to think about. Kirwan and Cash slotted pts before Alex Murphy was unceremoniously upended in the square for a penalty.

Daniel Ryan slotted the resultant spot kick low to the keepers right. Alex’s Mediterranean looks,  seemed to be a source of angst for the Cabra men who were dishing out a fair bit of punishment his way. Never a man to back down, Murphy ups his game in these scenarios and slotted a beauty shortly after. Cillian O’Connor (The Dublin one) curled a lovely score off his left on his debut. The score of the game came next when James Hutchinson went on an 80 yard sprint from half back. Couple of one-twos with Murphy and Kirwan and the ball was in the back of the net.

A lucky Finbars goal just before half time left the score 2-06 to 1-03 in our favour at the break.

Captain Fitzy still wasn’t happy and wanted us to up the ante in the second half and hit hard (and often). He certainly wasn’t driving back to Dingle without a win. We reiterated the importance of tagging on the 1st score on the resumption and we duly obliged with a sublime score from the trusty left peg of Cash. Kevin Kirwan pointed after great work from Fiachra Madden who was revelling in his wing back role. 8 pts up and cruising at the water break. Murphy again was targeted,  this time the referee had no choice but to issue a red card. Subsequently the over robust challenges that followed belonged in the octagon, and not a GAA field. To a man, all our lads stood up and were counted. Murphy slotted his second pt after a meandering run from corner back Conor Dunne.

Luke Kelly was hauled down in the square late on, Ryan again did the business. Cash completed the scoring from sub Donal McCarthys pass, for a pleasing 10 pt win and our name in the hat for 1/4s.

Al Keane in goal was his usual steady self.  Got all his restarts away.

Our defence was superbly marshalled by fitzy. Liam Mc and Dunne gave nothing away. Half back line were on top throughout. Our midfield partnership are working in tandem and will be hard to stop.

Tutty put in a great shift along with Murphy and O’Connor who unfortunately came off injured. Speedy get well.

The Inside forward line were also a constant menace throughout. Subs that came in also contributed. Plenty of headaches for the management team await.

Alan Keane, Conor Dunne, Mark Fitzgerald,  Liam McNamara, Fiachra Madden,  Shane McCall,  James Hutchinson, Darragh Bermingham,  Daniel Ryan, David Tutty, Alex Murphy,  Cillian O’Connor , Luke Kelly, Kevin Kerwin,  Eoin Cashman.

Subs: Mikey Ryan,  Donal McCarthy,  Adam Ryan, Cian Kelly, Eoin Duffy.

Subs not used: Manus Coughlan, Neil Lynch, Daragh O’Neill,  Ben Kelly

Thanks to Peter Shovlin, Mick McDonald and Niall O’Connor for umpiring.

Also thanks for the great support we had at the match.