On Saturday night last in Larchfield Graigue Ballycallan and Ballinkillen played the Junior A hurling league final.In the first few minutes Willie O’Connor, Adrian Bourke and John Purcell pointed, before Ballinkillen got their first point from play on six minutes. Conor Murphy and later Adrian Bourke dealt capably with the frees, while Shane Butler scored a good point from long range. In the 21st minute Ballinkillen found a loose forward with an accurate delivery and he blasted the ball to the GBC net. Just before half time Willie O’Connor broke through the Ballinkillen defence and hit a pile driver towards the top corner of the net. The goalkeeper denied him with a fabulous save.
The half finished on a score line of Ballinkillen 1-8, GBC 0-10.
GBC started the second half in determined fashion and the turning point came in the fourth minute when Gearoid Cleere gave a good pass to Conor Murphy who finished the ball to the net with style. Adrian Bourke gave an impressive display of free taking and PJ Pollard made three top class saves to keep his side in contention.
The final score was GBC 2-17, Ballinkillen 2-15.
GBC: PJ Pollard, M Fitzpatrick, E Corcoran, J Cleere, A Ryan, D Ryall, S Butler (0-1), A Bourke (0-10,0-8fs), G Murphy (0-1), J Smith, G Cleere, C Murphy (1-2,0-2fs), W O’Connor (1-1), J Dermody, J Purcell (0-2), Subs: P Kennedy, P Cahill, E Egan.