Ballinascarthy 2-21 Kilbrittain 0-09
Junior A Hurling Championship 2026, Bank Holiday Monday August 3rd, Timoleague
A wet and wild August Bank Holiday Monday saw Kilbrittain face Ballinascarthy in Timoleague, in the first match of this years R.C.M Tarmacadam Carbery Junior A Hurling Championship.
Kilbrittain Junior A Hurling Championship, first round vs Ballinscarthy. Back Row L-R: Darragh Crowley, James O'Mahony, Aaron Fehilly, John Murphy, Gavin O'Shea, Mikolaj Kalitka, Keith Hunt, Cathal O'Callaghan, Owen McCarthy, CJ Bryan, Mark O'Shea. Front Row L-R: Kevin O'Neill, Patrick O'Mahony, Paudie Brennan, Ivan Burke, Adam Desmond, Séamus O'Sullivan, Shaye Ustianowski, Gavin Kenny.
The weather didn't help either team as it bucketed down in the first half, but Ballinascarthy had the better day out in spite of it. They opened scoring with two quick points almost back to back before Kilbrittain won a free which Patrick O'Mahony duly pointed over. Ballinascarthy replied down the other end before Kilbrittain were awarded another free which O'Mahony rifled over the bar again. By the twentieth minute Ballinascarthy had managed another point but both teams were struggling with the conditions and rucks for possession were the order of the day.
Shaye Ustianowski reaches to make a block early in the first half.
It was Ballinascarthy who then broke the rut with a purple patch where they knocked four points over the bar in quick succession. Another drop in discipline saw Kilbrittain win another free, which Keith Hunt drilled over the bar confidently. Indeed Hunt was impressive on the day, operating around the half forward line and having vision to direct play that came his way at centerforward.
Keith Hunt confidently retrieves the ball out of the half back line. After that both teams traded opportunities. Bal drove another point through the uprights down the other end, before they made a push on goal and pulled an excellent save off Owen McCarthy. Defending in general was a strong point around this time, with rookie Adam Desmond doing very well at corner back along with warring Paudie Brennan who brought the ball out of the back line continuously. The O'Shea brothers, Mark and Gavin were playing well off each other and held their territory well.
Gavin O'Shea chases down possession in the back line. Having said that, Ballinascarthy took their chances well, they secured a well worked goal and another point before Hunt rifled a superb point over the bar from a free for Kilbrittain and so at the break Ballinascarthy led 1-11 to 0-04.
Paudie Brennan drives the ball into the full forward line.
HALFTIME Ballinascarthy 1-11 to Kilbrittain 0-04
Ballinascarthy took charge from the resumption with an early point. Then they drove forward in attack and drew another good save off McCarthy in goal. They followed with another three points before making the most of their next goal chance and raising the green flag 2-14 to 0-04. Another point and a brilliantly executed point from a sideline saw Ballinascarthy lengthen their lead before Mark O'Shea signalled a small respite for Kilbrittain with a lovely point from play. Then Bal found themselves on the wrong side of the referee and gave away two more frees which dependable Hunt delivered on adding a further two points to the scoreboard.
Mark O'Shea and CJ Byran battle their Ballinascarthy counterpart for possession of the ball.
With forty five minutes gone, Ballinascarthy took back the reins and confidently secured another three points before they released a monster, long range point from the half back line which drew a rousing cheer from the bank.
Séamus O'Sullivan controls the ball under pressure from Ballinascarthy's midfielders.
For the remaining ten minutes both sides traded points, two from play from Ballinascarthy and two from Hunt, sure and confident in his free taking. A wash out of a match saw Ballinascarthy head away as victors 2-21 to 0-09, but all is not lost for Kilbrittain, who showed heart to continuing battling around the pitch until the whistle blew. They play Doheny's next on Friday August 21st in Enniskeane at 7pm. Ballinascarthy will play St. Columns on Saturday 22nd at 6.45pm in Dunmanway. Scorers: K.Hunt (0-06F), P. O'Mahony Team: Owen McCarthy, Mikolaj Kalitka, John Murphy, Adam Desmond, Ivan Burke, Gavin Kenny, Shaye Ustianowski, Paudie Brennan, Kevin O'Neill, Mark O'Shea, Keith Hunt, Séamus O'Sullivan, Patrick O'Mahony, Gavin O'Shea.
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