JBHC defeat

The second string hurling team played Gabriel Rangers in the opening round of the west Cork Junior B Hurling Championship last Sunday evening. Playing with the wind in the opening half in Skibbereen, the teams were level at 10 points each at half time. Dan Hurley was a class apart at centre back. He scored 12 points in all (9 frees and 3 from play), mostly from his own half of the pitch. He got great assistance from his wing backs Adam Barry and Charlie Dineen. Conor Lehane chipped in with a couple of superb points from play from midfield and his partner Johnny Deasy was as industrious as ever. Colin Smith fielded a number of great puck outs and tacked over a few scores. His wing forward partners (Dan Connolly and Mike Murphy) were working hard and always available to help. The full forward line of Jack Henchion, JJ Butler and Eoghan Guinivan were always a threat and when the wily Butler scrambled home an early 2nd half goal, things were looking rosy. However, a late rally from the men from Schull/Ballydehob led to a flurry of points despite heroic defending from the full back line of Brad Harte, Donal Sutton and Richie Smith. The Gabriel's team had fresh legs from the bench, which was unfortunately not an option for the Timoleague men, and ran out 0.25 to 1.14 winners. The team can hold their heads up high and look forward with confidence to the remaining round robin games against Bantry and Bandon. Team; Joe Murphy, Brad Harte, Donal Sutton, Richie Smith, Adam Barry, Dan Hurley, Charlie Dineen, Conor Lehane, Johnny Deasy, Dan Connolly, Colin Smith, Mike Murphy, Eoghan Guinivan, JJ Butler and Jack Henchion.