by John Butler in Cashel, photos by Andy Jay.

Ballinahinch 5-23
Carrick Davins 2-10

Ballinahinch etched their name on the County U21 'C' Hurling trophy with an impressive display of impeccable stick-work coupled with clinical finishing that saw them run out 22-points victors against a very disappointing Carrick Davins on Saturday afternoon.
This 13-a-side decider saw Carrick Davins go two points in front courtesy of John Keyes and Jason Butler, but once last year's beaten finalists, Ballinahinch, secured a foothold they ran up 1-8 without reply between the third and 20th minute and from that stage onwards never looked back.
The scoring was started by a David Ryan point and he also finished off that 'purple patch' by raising the green flag when he outjumped the defence to catch the sliotar and rattle the back of the net bringing his tally to 1-1. In between Brendan Ryan notched up 0-5 which included one from a placed-ball whilst Ger Grace added a brace.
A shell-shocked Davins responded with a '65' from Mark Roche only for Ballinahinch to reply with a brace of points from Kevin Fitzpatrick followed by yet another goal when the Davins goalie Joe Crowe could only bat the ball away to the unmarked David Ryan who returned it with interest to go 2-10 to 0-3 clear going into the dying minutes of the half. Davins were thrown a lifeline when Jason Butler put over a free before an identical one was blocked on the goal-line with Adam Butler quickest to react and fire home from close range. Sandwiched in between was Ballinahinch's final score of the half from Ger Grace as the North Division side led 2-11 to 1-4 at the halfway stage.
It was a similar scenario throughout the second half with Ballinahinch first to the breaking ball, finding their men with slick interpassing and clinical finishing. Carrick Davins again despite getting the first score courtesy of a Jason Butler free were left chasing shadows as Ballinahinch responded in style with David Ryan completing his hat-trick after 33 minutes.
Jason Butler who was one of the few Davins' stars chipped in with a point from a side-line cut, only for Ballinahinch to reply once again in style with scores coming from Ger Grace, Kevin Fitzpatrick and David Ryan. Davins substitute Aidan Ryan got on the scoresheet but once again Ballinahinch replied with Brendan Ryan adding 1-1 to go 4-15 to 1-7 clear.
With ten minutes left on the stopwatch another Jason Butler free found the back of the net through a crowd of players, but Ballinahinch substitute Paddy Kelly with his first touch followed by a brace from Frank Troy saw the North Tipp side go 4-19 to 2-7 clear.
Jason Butler from play and Ian O'Dwyer added points for by now a totally disheartened Davins and could only watch the freescoring Brendan Ryan add another 1-4 to his tally in a four minute blitz. Ian O'Dwyer had another pointed free for Davins, but the afternoon belonged to a jubilant Ballinahinch who signed off with the final score of the day coming from the stick of Paddy Kelly.

Man of Match: David Ryan (Ballinahinch)

Scorers: Brendan Ryan 2-08 (0-2f), David Ryan 3-04, Ger Grace 0-4, Kevin Fitzpatrick 0-3, Paddy Kelly and Frank Troy 0-2 each.

Ballinahinch U 21 C' Hurling team after their victory over Carrick Davins in Cashel on Saturday.

Ballinahinch U 21 C' Hurling team captain Cormack McGrath receives the Trophy from Vice Chairman of the County Board, Dick Egan.