East Cork Junior B Hurling Final: Carrig 3-20 Aghada 1-9

November 06, 2021

East Cork Junior B Championship Hurling Final

Carrig 3-20 (29) Aghada 1-9 (12) in Killeagh on Friday, November 5th.

Referee: Eoin Coleman (Youghal)

Killeagh's long grass, the referee's long final whistle, Luke Kelly's long points and O'Driscoll's long legs stood out as Carrig's long wait to be crowned East Cork Junior B Hurling Champions ended last night. A comprehensive 3-20 to 1-9 win over Aghada saw captain Peadar Downey lift the Eamonn Fleming cup for the first time since 2006. A strong Carrig crowd took to the field and through fist bumps and pats on the back congratulated a highly impressive team who made short work of the Imokilly division this year in a triumph that has been coming for a couple of years. As fathers and mothers claimed sons, partners embraced their sweaty hurlers and friends smiled and congratulated, the Carrigtwohill community came together to celebrate an achievement well won. It was only 2 weeks ago, after a titanic tussle in Fermoy against Charleville, that the people of Carrigtwohill had a chance to acknowledge and celebrate the efforts of our hurlers and our club. Whether in victory or defeat the underlying emotion was the same; pride. An extra layer had been added between then and now with the passing of our friend Ronan Donnelly; sorrow. And this was something acknowledged by adopted Carrig man, captain and goalscorer Peadar Downey in one of the great speeches, paying tribute to Ronan's impact on his friends. Peadar also paid tribute to the East Cork board, the officials, a gallant Aghada side and a hard-working management team of Marty McConville, Vince Crotty, Kieran Brennan, Jay Horgan and Padraic Hogan. Peadar finished with an impassioned speech on the game of hurling and the importance of our club in our community and it was a timely and welcome reminder with silverware in his hand.

The scoreline may flatter to deceive as Carrig were only really comfortable in the 4th quarter and despite playing most of the hurling in the opening 15 minutes, the sides were tied at 0-6 to 1-3 at the water break. An early Aghada goal had them in front with Adrian Browne opening Carrig's account and Darren O'Driscoll adding his first point of the afternoon. Top scorer Luke Kelly notched the other 4 points; the pick of the bunch a missed pick up on a free that he cut from the ground over the black spot.

Carrig went up another gear in the second quarter stretching their lead to 8 points at one stage having rattled off 1-5 in a row to lead 1-11 to 1-3. O'Driscoll had the goal after a powerful run and Adrian Browne, industrious and effective all evening, pointed his second. Luke Kelly again rounded out Carrig's total with 2 more from play, a free and a 65'. Aghada had the better of the last 5 minutes however, notching 3 points on the trot to leave them within 5 at the break, 1-11 to 1-6.

A dogged opening 10 minutes upon the restart didn't hint at the scoring burst to come as Aghada dug in but they would only add 3 more points to their tally this half as Carrig kicked on after Peadar Downey pulled our second goal to the net. By the second half water break O'Driscoll and Daire Crotty also added scores with 2 more Kelly placed balls, including a sideline, keeping Carrig firmly in control.

As Aghada made moves up the other end to get back in the game, they were getting no change out of Shane Murphy and Conor O'Mahony down the middle with Ryan O'Donovan having made some crucial saves at vital times all evening. As the Carrig rearguard stood firm Aghada couldn't plug the gaps at the back as O'Driscoll added a further 1-2 to his tally, Kelly added another 2 from placed balls and Ollie Baverstock capped off a fine evening with a driving run amd score from wing-back. 3-20 to 1-9. Champions.

The club would like to thank Marty, Vince, Kieran, Jay and Padraic for their efforts all year and in particular to an outstanding group of players and men. And thank you to all of the people of Carrigtwohill who came down to support us on a cold evening in Killeagh and throughout the year. We need your support again tomorrow as we take on Belgooly in the Junior B County Quarter-final at the 4G pitch in Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 10.30am. Carrig Abú.

Scorers: Luke Kelly O'Regan 0-12 (0-4f, 0-3 65, 0-1 s/l), Darren O'Driscoll 2-4, Peadar Downey 1-0, Adrian Browne 0-2, Daire Crotty, Ollie Baverstock 0-1 each.

Team: R. O'Donovan, C. Flynn, C. O'Mahony, P. Barden, O. Baverstock, S. Murphy, A. McNamara, D. Crotty, C. O'Sullivan, L. Kelly O'Regan, S. Roche, P. Downey, A. Browne, D. O'Driscoll, S. O'Sullivan. Subs used: J. Scully, L. Scriven, J. Ahern, E.Fitzgerald.