Barryroe capture their first Carbery JAFC title with an extra time win over Kilmacabea

Barryroe 1-12 

Kilmacabea 0-14 

(After extra-time)

BARRYROE claimed their first Bandon Co-Op Carbery Junior A Football Championship title at the expense of Kilmacabea after extra-time in Dunmanway on Friday evening.

Heavy showers made playing conditions awkward long before throw-in so credit to both sides for delivering such a thrilling spectacle.

The opening quarter belonged to Barryroe. Anchored by former Tipperary senior Robbie Kiely and utilising Ryan O’Donovan’s shooting ability the underdogs led 0-3 to 0-1 after 15 minutes.

Cork senior Damien Gore opened the scoring but O’Donovan answered with an equally impressive effort. 

Another swift move concluded with Cork minor Olan O’Donovan edging Barryroe ahead. Barryroe stretched their advantage, 0-4 to 0-1, when Ryan O’Donovan took his total to three courtesy of a point and free.

Struggling to get anything going in the final third, Damien Gore (free) fired over Kilmacabea’s first score in 18 minutes.

From there, Gore torched Barryroe’s defence for four consecutive points, including a mark and free, in a devastating seven-minute spell.

A badly needed Ryan O’Donovan free left Barryroe trailing 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.

O’Donovan and Ian Jennings exchanged scores prior to Barryroe’s Ryan Crowley levelling matters once again.

A major turning point occurred after 35 minutes when Barryroe’s Ryan O’Donovan gained possession, played a quick one-two and burst clear.

The former Cork underage inter county star found the bottom corner with a cracking shot to push Barryroe 1-7 to 0-7 in front.

Kilmacabea refused to panic however and reduced the deficit back to a point via Gore (free) and substitute Daniel O’Donovan.

The Kilmacabea supporters, part of a huge attendance, were in full cry once Gore brought parity to the score, 1-7 to 0-10, courtesy of another brilliant effort with 15 minutes remaining.

It was anyone’s game as a frantic closing quarter saw both teams waste opportunities.

Remaining patient in possession, Kilmacabea retook the lead with six minutes to go.

Another long-range Damien Gore free took the forward’s total to nine before adding another free shortly after.

Their opponents had little option but to attack resulting in a converted Ryan O’Donovan free shortly before the end.

Right on the stroke of full time, Damien Gore wriggled past two defenders and split the posts to make it 0-13 to 1-8.

Ryan O’Donovan answered within sixty seconds and went one better to level it up, 0-13 to 1-10 and send the final to extra-time.

Adam McSweeney and Brian O’Donovan points sandwiched an Ian Jennings effort to leave Barryroe 1-12 to 0-14 ahead at the end of the first period of additional time.

Amid a welter of excitement, a late Kilmacabea effort from Dan O’Donovan dropped under the crossbar into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Gearoid Holland.

The final whistle shrilled shortly after and a Barryroe celebrated an historic moment.

Scorers for Barryroe: R O’Donovan 1-8 (0-3 frees), O O’Donovan, R Crowley, B Donovan, A McSweeney 0-1 each.

Kilmacabea: D Gore 0-11 (0-5 frees, 0-1 mark), I Jennings 0-2, D O’Donovan 0-1.

BARRYROE: G Holland; M Walsh, S O’Riordan, P Moloney; T Ó Buachalla, D O’Sullivan (captain), J Moloney; R Kiely, J O’Brien; D Murphy, O O’Donovan, C Dineen; R O’Donovan, S Holland, M Crowley.

Subs: D McCarthy for P Moloney (ht), B O’Donovan for S Holland (47), A McSweeney for J O’Brien (49).

KILMACABEA: C McCarthy; L Tobin, D Whooley, M Jennings; D O’Callaghan (captain), M Collins, O Tobin; J Collins, R Hourihane; D McCarthy, I Jennings, R Shanahan; E Shanahan, L McCarthy, D Gore.

Subs: D O’Donovan for E Shanahan (36), O Kerrisk for J Collins (42), J Ronan for R Shanahan (55).

Referee: Shane Scanlon (Newcestown).