Date Published: 23-Mar-2011

Ballinderreen 2-6

Doneraile (Cork) 0-5

Darren Kelly

in Raheenagh

THE magic month for Galway clubs continued last Sunday in County Limerick as Ballinderreen completed a hat trick of national titles with this seven point win in the Junior B All-Ireland Final.

It wasn’t the high scoring feats of Killimor’s camogie players or the Clarinbridge hurlers in Croke Park, but this performance lacked nothing in composure as Ballinderreen weathered the threat from the Cork side and picked off crucial scores at critical times to ensure their success.

On a fine afternoon, Ballinderreen won the toss and captain Keith Carr opted against the slight breeze, but they set about their task blocking Doneraile attacks as the Munster champions were guilty of eight wides and didn’t manage a score from play.

They did attack from the start. Ian O’Brien dropped a free into Sean Corcoran’s hands in the third minute while Ronan Good and Christopher O’Keeffe combined dangerously three minutes later only for Noel Linnane to block their path to goal.

Cillian Good put Doneraile ahead in the seventh minute but Ballinderreen started to settle afterwards and a first-rate 55 yard free from Carr in the 14th minute against the breeze restored parity.

Interestingly, the Cork outfit changed their free taker with Jason O’Callaghan knocking over the next free as more shots from distance went wide of the target. Joe Connolly’s unit weren’t fazed as they found scores from substitute Gavin Duffy and corner forward Shane Coen by the 21st minute to take the lead.

Ballinderreen were gaining more of an edge as the half progressed and stretched their lead in the 28th minute. A swift move involving Carr and Finbarr Meehan saw an excellent catch by Gerry Helebert in the square and he was fouled to prevent a goal chance.

Carr’s penalty was saved by Kevin Cotter but the captain responded in injury time with a point from play to give the Galway side a 0-4 to 0-3 interval lead after O’Callaghan got his second free for Doneraile.

After soaking up the pressure, it was time to be assertive and Ballinderreen were after the restart punishing Doneraile misses to secure the All-Ireland crown by the 43rd minute. From the throw-in, Coen tried to pick out Sean Costello on the edge of the square. The centre forward saw possession spilled but Coen’s momentum continued as he regained the ball before hitting the net and Ballinderreen were four ahead after just 37 seconds.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.