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North Cork U-21 "A" Hurling Championship Final

MALLOW 2-6 BALLYHEA 2-11 (21/09/03)
Played At | Ballyclough.

The North Cork U-21 A Hurling Title rests in Ballyhea for the 10th time after a tremendous victory over Mallow in Ballyclough last Sunday. Ballyhea started well with early points from Maurice O' Sullivan in the 2nd and 10th minutes. By the 20th minute Ballyhea led 0-4 to 0-3 before Mallow had a goal to go ahead but points from Maurice O' Sullivan and Edmund O' Regan had the sides level at the break.

As the rain lashed down Ballyhea, inspired by a powerful half-back line, took over in the 1st 10 minutes of the second half. Muarice O' Sullivan was tormenting the Mallow defence and he added a point in the 35th minute followed by a brilliantly taken goal two minutes later. Edward Rea and Maurice O' Sullivan added further points before Edward Rea crashed home Ballyhea's second goal in the 46th minute to lead 2-9 to 1-4. Mallow though replied two minutes later and it took a fine save from Danny O' Donoughue to deny Mallow in the 52th minute. Maurice O' Sullivan pointed in the 54th minute to put us 4 points clear and in injury time amidst great tension excellent team captain Edmund O' Regan fired over the insurance point.

After the game North Cork Board Vice Chairman Tom Crowley presented the cup to Ballyhea's captain Edmund O' Regan.

On a great day for Ballyhea last Sunday there was one disappointing note, where no fault of the excellent host venue, Ballyclough, there was no provision of dressing rooms for either of the U21 teams after playing in constant rain. Having to wait outside a dressing room in wet playing gear for over 25 minutes after playing a North Cork final is surely not acceptable in this day and age, and but for the kindness of Dromina and Ballyclough who allowed us into the dressing room to shower and change, players would have had to tog off in their cars. Surely players deserve better than this.

Scorers
Maurice O' Sullivan 1-6
Edward Rea 1-1
Edmund O' Regan 0-2
Stephen O' Sullivan 0-1
Tim Shanahan 0-1

Team
Danny O' Donoghue, Kieran O' Riordan, Michael Morrissey, Hugh O'Leary, John O'Riordan, Barry Coleman, Liam O'Connor, Edmund O'Regan, Owen O' Sullivan, Edward Rea, Jonathan O' Sullivan, Tim Shanahan, Maurice O'Sullivan, Sean Coleman, Stephen O' Sullivan.

Subs
Conor O' Riordan, David O' Riordan, Eoin O' Keeffe, Martin O' Keeffe, John Hennessy, Frank McNamara, Ciaran O' Leary Trevor O' Sullivan, John William O' Brien