Should be a cracker in Kilworth tomorrow.

Castlelyons and Ballyhea have it all to play for again in Kilworth on this Sunday after an exciting draw at the same venue on the last day of August.  The sides finished 1-12 to 0-15 after a reasonable hours hurling.  We started so well led 0-5 to 0-3 after twelve minutes and they shot 1-2 without any reply from Ballyhea, with the goal coming from Colm Spillane.  Of course, that great Ballyhea warrior, Neil Ronan suffered a leg injury and this, no doubt, effected Ballyhea.  However, these Ballyhea men do not go down too easy, Ronan recovered and line management went into overdrive making some very shrewd switches.  They were still in touch on the score 1-8 to 0-7 at half time.

On the resumption in a struggle super sub Gavin Morrissey really came good for Ballyhea and scored three points in 4 minutes to level proceedings.  To our credit with came good again and a monster point from our own super sub Cian O Leary put us in the driving seat.  Then, a similar long range effort from Ballyhea’s Timmy Shanahan looked to have clinched it for Ballyhea.  However, our hero of the County Football Final, Alan Fenton, just six days previous, rose high and fetched a great ball.  Despite being surrounded by three defenders he turned well and banged the slioter over the bar for the equaliser in the 3^rd minute of injury time.  So we live to fight another day.

Another day means our management have the ideal preparation with full concentration of two weeks total hurling.  Also, the benefit of a championship game means we can review all team options for the next day.  Of course Ballyhea will do likewise and it all leads to a battle of wits. 

Ballyhea started with just three Under 21 lads the last day – Mickey Browne in goal with Pa O Callaghan and Eugene O Leary up front but they did introduce Dean Copps as a sub.  Our selectors are forced to select a younger side due to some injuries to the more senior lads.  But our young lads are laden with underage success and will be “chomping at the bit” for a good run. 

Of course our more senior men Barry O Connell, our Captain, Leo Sexton, Aidan O Sullivan and Barry Fitzgerald are battle hardened too and give their all in the cause of Castlelyons.  A little advice for tomorrow if people are on the sideline.  Please cool it with the Ref as he is often the target of unnecessary vocals when we should just roar on our own - leave it to the selectors to deal with any issues. 

Castlelyons at 10/11, the draw 8/1 and Ballyhea evens, the Corkman give the verdict to Ballyhea and the Examiner to Castlelyons.  Among many pundits Ballyhea carry the favorites tag. 

Overall, we played a great half hours hurling the last day and although Ballyhea came at us we came back well to draw.  This is an improvement from recent Intermediate and Under 21 results where we allowed the game slip from us.  So role on tomorrow with the weather good and a forecast of 17-20 degrees it could be hotter in Kilworth so we call on all all Abbeysiders to some out and give the shout.  I think we can reach the business end of the Premier Intermediate Championship for the second year running. So the best of luck to our Management, players and here's to a good result â€“ Castlelyons Abú.