Displaying some great charachter Ballyhea junior B's captured the North Cork Junior B hurling title in Doneraile today after an enthralling battle in heavy conditions. Nothing separated the sides early on as Ballyhea led by a point after 10 minutes 0-3 to 0-2. By the 20th minute our lead had stretched to four (0-7 to 0-3) courtesy of fine points from Aidan Crowley (2), Diarmuid O'Riordan and James Morrissey but we were dealted a huge blow 3 minutes later when we were reduced to fourteen men for a second bookable offence. Ballyhea though maintained their advantage to the break to go in 0-8 to 0-5 ahead at the short whistle. The second half produced a full blooded contest  between two very committed teams. With ten minutes remaining we led by 2 points 0-12 to 0-10, this lead was increased to four with two well taken frees from Ryan Hanley. But with 2 minutes remaing Shanballymore full forward Jimmy Burke struck for a goal to leave just a point between the sides. Ryan Hanley though replied with a fine point from a difficult free. After three nail biting minutes of injury time Ballyheas battling fourteen men held for a great victory and our third junior b title in 10 years. After the game Ballyhea captain Diarmuid O'Riordan was presented with the cup in front of a large Ballyhea support.
Scorers:
Aidan Crowley 0-4,
Johnny O'Flaherty 0-4,
Ryan Hanley 0-3,
Stephen O'Sullivan 0-1,
Darren Ronan 0-1,
James Morrissey 0-1,
Diarmuid O'Riordan 0-1.
Team:
Team:
Olly Morrissey, Tommy McNamara, Derek Mackessey, Kieran O'Riordan,  Shane Crowley, Sean Curtin, Stephen Coleman, James Morrissey, Aidan Crowley, Enda McNamara, Diarmuid O'Riordan, Johnny Flaherty, Darren Ronan, Mike O'Mahony, Stephen O'Sullivan : Sub used : Kieran O'Donoghue,Ryan Hanley(both used), T J Garvey, William O'Keeffe, Stephen Roche, Diarmuid O'Shaughnessey,Fergus O'Regan, David Nunan and Ian Mortell.