Barryroe 2-12 Kilbrittain 1-13

Sunday March 29th - Div 1 Football League

For all images from the match see Match Photos here >

Kilbrittain and Barryroe faced off this past Sunday in the second match of the Div 2 football league for both teams. Barryroe did well to get ahead early which stood to them for the rest of the game as Kilbrittain had to chase. Having said that both teams were on par for work rate and eagerness under the ball, leading to an exciting match. Tensions rose too in this local derby. There were black cards and some group antics on the pitch but for the most part, the game was fair between the neighbours, on the otherwise calm, bright afternoon in Kilbrittain.

Conor Ustianowski rounds his Barryroe mark. The home side signalled some early intentions, when Kilbrittain's full forward, Conor Ustianowski, struck for a point, just narrowly edging wide of the uprights. Team mate and corner forward Conor Hogan followed quickly to secure Kilbrittain's place on the scoreboard with a point. Barryroe were quick to push down the other end and unlucky to point wide, corner forward Cian O'Sullivan coming close with the first. Then when Mark O'Shea won a free for the black and amber, Eóghan Byrne, Mark Hickey and Ronan Crowley executed a memorable play to get the ball to Hogan for Kilbrittain's second point of the day.

Barryroe's Ryan O'Donovan and Kilbrittain's Éoin O'Neill.

Both teams were well up for this match, showing the respect they have for each other. However, that energy expressed itself in a way that brought about a brace of black cards. The first came five minutes in when Crowley had to take to the sideline for ten minutes. The resultant free went wide for Barryroe as did their next opportunity from Ryan O'Donovan in front of the posts but they made sure with the next two. Full forward Seán Holland made the most of his go on the ball and rattled the net to put Barryroe in the clear of Kilbrittain for the first time in the match, then moments later Barryroe struck again, we're not sure who it was that raised the green flag, but it was raised anyway and suddenly Kilbrittain were on the backfoot down 2 goals to 2 points.

Another wide for Barryroe's O'Donovan followed before Barryroe pointed over again, from a free and then again another from play. Now up 2-02 to 0-02, it was time for Kilbrittain to dig deep and they did. Ustianowski was doing well charging into blue territory often, his next opportunity pointed just wide but the effort spurred on the team. Josh O'Donovan followed with an inspiring run into the right corner from where he turned for goal. Barryroe's backs convered as he struck the ball with some strength. It hit the post but he caught it back and charged at the goalface. Surrounded by Barryoe's backs, he was dispossessed but the free ball bounced to Luke Griffin at the other goal corner. A band of blueshirts raced across the goalmouth putting bodies on line but the Knockanroe native found the chink in Barryroe's armour and excellently belted the ball into the back of the net. Barryroe still led 2-02 to 1-02 but now there was just a goal in it.

Luke Griffin scores for Kilbrittain.

Kilbrittain clawed back steadily. Both teams traded the next pair of wides before a lovely set play from Kilbrittain produced an elegant point. Orchestrated by Griffin, the ball made it's way through Ustianowski, O'Donovan and finally, Crowley, a welcome addition back on the pitch, who backed himself and sent the ball soaring.

Ronan Crowley breaks away from his mark.

As both teams entered the last ten minutes O'Donovan came close to another point for Kilbrittain but Barryroe added another two points in reply. Then formidable Ustianowski broke through Barryroe's back line and made for goal but alas it wasn't to be. Both teams were playing an attacking style of football and to be fair to them the chances were coming. Had they all been successful, it would've been a great high scoring game. The bravery they were showing in going for points and trying for goals was appealing to all onlookers.

Conor Ustianowski moves to strike the ball across field. The next point over for Kilbrittian was from O'Shea who collected a delightful ball from Hogan and fisted it over the bar. The score was now 2-04 to 1-03. Kilbrittain made good on these last few minutes of the first half to keep Barryroe's forwards out of the game. Darragh Considine and Éoin O'Neill, especially, did well on their respective marks, sticking to them like glue as some may say and relieving them of possession.

Darragh COnsidine solos at speed up from the back line.

Mark O'Shea was also doing well on the wing, putting in some hard graft. He managed to put any attacking Barryroe man under pressure legally, avoiding giving away frees and yet not standing off his mark. Then with one last push before the break, Adam Griffin, Luke's younger brother made an impressive run through midfield. Tailed by many he fought his way through and brought the ball through the center to his brother Luke who offloaded neatly to teammate Hogan, for Kilbrittain's fourth point of the evening.

Mark O'Shea keeps possession for Kilbrittain.

Then just ahead of halftime the next pair of black cards were awarded. A melee formed by the sideline and a player each from both sides were waved off for ten minutes. Kilbrittain down their strong defenceman O'Neill and for Barryroe, we believe, their half forward O'Donovan. Then Barryroe managed a reply down the other end to make it 2-05 to 1-04 as the referee whistled for halftime.

HALFTIME Barryroe 2-05 Kilbrittain 1-04

Only down four points with thirty good minutes of a half to play, Kilbrittain made a big attacking push in the second half but it was the visitors Barryroe who pointed over first, courtesy of a stylish effort from midfielder Dermot Dineen, who soared the ball over the crossbar at his ease. Then Kilbrittain went at it with numerous runs, bursting through gaps in Barryroe's spread. Hogan was first, racing through the forward line, he veered slightly left, drawing his man. Once committed, he offloaded, lobbing the ball across the field to the right wing where, with vision, Crowley had made a run. Barrelling at speed down the line, he sent an outstanding point soaring over the bar. A wide from a free followed for Barryroe before Kilbrittain were off again, the younger Griffin knocking through midfield delivering the ball to O'Donovan, who belted over for another point. Then Crowley found himself in possession of the ball and in a well worked play, stretching the ball from the left wing to the right, Crowley found Hogan who delivered the ball to the older Griffin to send Kilbrittain's next point through the uprights.

Adam Griffin races through midfield.

The score now read 2-06 to 1-07. There were just two points in it. Barryroe needed something to regain a footing and maintain their lead and when they were next granted a free, they duly sent it over the bar. Kilbrittain to their credit kept pushing. Whether or not they were aware of just how close they were, with eighteen odd minutes to go, we don't know but only for a couple wides to follow, the final score could've been very different. More incentive to always keep attacking. And thats what they did. In reply to Barryroe's free, the eldest Griffin found wily Hogan for Kilbrittain's eight point. Then Hogan, minutes later, sported just shy of the posts with another effort. His knack in front of the uprights was missed when he had to head away for a prior engagement with ten minutes to go, however to be fair, he had put in a good stint and his fair share at that point. Some positions rejigged and his replacement Gavin Kenny was eager from the get go around midfield. Kilbrittain continued, with another effort from Luke Griffin, but this one, edged outside the posts.

Gavin Kenny defends the ball from Barryroe midfielder Dermot Dineen.

Barryroe were ever vigilant for their next opportunity with just over ten minutes to go, they got it via their number 18 who secured their eight point of the day. Another followed soon after, until Kilbrittain's half back line went up another gear and dammed the Barryroe breach. The two Sheehans, Colm and Tomás, as well as Aaron Holland were doing well in defence. When Ustianowski stood over a free moments later, he pointed over, getting his deserved name on the scoresheet for the first time in the game. It was either him or Griffin, the elder, who then also stood over the next free, pointing that over too. It was Griffin who definately stood over the third one, pointing straight and true. Kilbrittain were pushing, after being on the backfoot since those opening two goals and now, they were ever so close. The score was 2-09 to 1-11, a point in it.

Kilbrittain's Aaron Holland, Charlie Kenny and Éoin O'Neill team up to turnover the ball from Barryroe's possession.

Hardman, O'Donovan could've been the one to even the score next, making strides

through the pitch for Kilbrittain but letting fly, he just missed the posts. It was dissent which would haunt Kilbrittain though, when the next free given away got brought forward in front of goal and Barryroe's men made sure, putting two points between the teams again. With eight minutes to go, Holland, O'Shea, Crowley and Colm Sheehan were doing well to get ball into the forward line.

Luke Griffin collects a loose ball in the corner.

Luke Griffin converted the next free before both sides traded a wide each. Then the men in two-tone blue capitalised on another free and an excellent point from Dan Moloney, to finish the westerners tally for the day. The scoreline read 2-11 to 1-12, still two points between the teams. A pressure filled free followed for Griffin who did well to calmly convert. A further free narrowly missed the uprights before the whistle blew and Barryroe went home the victors. The referee had a further Barryroe point on his tally which we must have missed, so the final scoreline for day was confirmed at Barryroe 2-12 to Kilbrittain 1-13.

A good test for both teams as they make a strong push for league rights this year, the result of which we'll all be looking forward to. Kilbrittain will play Castlehaven next on Wednesday April 8th in Kilbrittain while Barryroe will play Goellen next on Sunday April 12th in Barryroe.

Scorers: L.Griffin (1-01) (0-04F), C.Hogan (0-04), M.O'Shea (0-01) R.Crowley (0-01), J.O'Donovan. (0-01), C. Ustianowski (0-01F)

Kilbrittain Team: Owen McCarthy, Eóghan Byrne, Darragh Considine, Charlie Kenny, Éoin O'Neill, Tomás Sheehan, Adam Griffin, Colm Sheehan, Mark O'Shea, Ronan Crowley, Aaron Holland, Josh O'Donovan, Conor Hogan (Sub: Gavin Kenny), Conor Ustianowski, Luke Griffin Barryroe Team: Conor Madden, Mike Walsh, Diarmuid McCarthy, Jerome O'Brien, Con Dineen, Seán O'Riordan, Dan Moloney, Dermot Dineen, Tomás O'Buachalla, Aaron Fleming, Ryan O'Donovan, Cian O'Sullivan, Olan O'Donovan, Seán Holland and Adam McSweeney