Kilshannig 2-15 Ballyclough 3-11

Kilshannig captured the North Cork Junior A Football Championship title for the first time since 1996 following a thrilling one point win over Ballyclough in Buttevant on Sunday evening last. In an enthralling contest, it took a storming second half comeback by Kilshannig to end an 18 year wait as an injury time Eoin O'Sullivan point sealed a remarkable victory.

The opening half was an end to end affair with Kilshannig getting off to a perfect start with Killian O'Hanlon and Richie Ryan pointing for a two point lead. Ballyclough replied well and Cork senior star Colm O'Neill, who was in outsanding form all through, struck the first of three first half goals, billowing the net following a driving run from deep to help his side into a 1-2 to 0-2 lead. Kilshannig began to gain the upperhand midway through the half with midfield pair Frank McCarthy and Killian O'Hanlon dictating matters while Richie Ryan caused several problems for the Ballyclough defence on every occasion. O'Hanlon and McCarthy found the range before Phelim O'Connell goaled from close range to edge Kilshannig in front. Tadhg O'Sullivan stretched the lead to three but Ballyclough and Colm O'Neill in particular took control of proceedings just before the break. Ballyclough retook the lead when O'Neill struck his second goal from the penalty spot following a foul on Damien Buckley. Shortly after, O'Neill completled his hat trick following a fine run through the Kilshannig defence before finding the top corner to give his side a 3-5 to 1-7 lead at the interval.

Ballyclough had all the momentum at this stage and they stretched their advantage to seven shortly after the resumption with three quick points on the trot. Kilshannig didnt panic though and with a number of shrewd substitutions they paved their way back into the game. Frank McCarthy, Darragh Mahoney and man of the match Killian O'Hanlon produced their best as Kilshannig struck 1-4 without reply to draw level, 3-8 to 2-11. Mahoney set up impressive substitute Damien Murphy for Kilshannig's second goal before further points from Murphy and Dylan O'Callaghan left nothing between the sides with 10 minutes remaining. Ballyclough once more took control entering the closing stages and three unanswered points from O'Neill and Paul O'Flynn pushed them 3-11 to 2-11 ahead by the 55^th minute. 

Kilshannig were not going to be denied though. Another subsitute Eoin O'Sullivan narrowed the deficit before two O'Hanlon frees tied the game and a replay looked likely. However, there was still time for a winner and O'Sullivan was on hand once again, this time splitting the posts from a narrow angle to provide the match winning score. Kilshannig will now go on to represent the Avondhu division in the county where they will face the winners of the Seandun division, Passage or St.Finbarr's, in the quarter final stage.

Scorers for Kilshannig: K O'Hanlon 0-6 (0-5 frees), D Murphy 1-1, P O'Connell 1-0, R Ryan, T O'Sullivan, E O'Sullivan 0-2, F McCarthy, D O'Callaghan 0-1 each.

Kilshannig: C O'Dea; I Twomey, R O'Mahony, C Casey; D O'Callaghan, T Twomey, L Casey; F McCarthy, K O'Hanlon; T O'Sullivan, R Ryan, D Mahoney; D O'Riordan, P O'Connell, M Twomey.

Subs: R McSherry for M Twomey, T Kelly for D O'Riordan (bc), D Murphy for T O'Sullivan, E O'Sullivan for P O'Connell, M O'Regan for L Casey (inj).