HURLING: Ballyduff Secure Semi-Final Spot After Victory Over Abbeydorney

Mike O’Halloran reports on the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SHC quarter final clash between Ballyduff and Abbeydorney yesterday…

Ballyduff 1-17

Abbeydorney 3-9

Ballyduff Abbeydorney 4 — Gary O’Brien scores Ballyduff’s goal during the match yesterday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

In my preview I had tipped Ballyduff to win this game and I based that prediction on the ability of Michael Boyle, Gary O’Brien and Aiden Boyle to win ball in the air and Bobby O’Sullivan to convert any free within distance.

I had cautioned that the O’Dorney boys had to keep the free count down. They didn’t and paid the price. Ballyduff won the free count in a game that was “let flow”.

You would expect any team that scores three goals should win most matches but not yesterday – just look at Tipp. Brian (Beano) Donovan pointed on three minutes Bobby O’Sullivan had two pointed frees for Ballyduff before young Eoin Egan levelled matters for Abbeydorney in the fifth minute.

Then in the 12th minute PJ Keane struck for goal number one. Bobby had a point back before Beano pointed again Bobby replied from play and again P J Keane blasted to the net 2-3 points to 0-4 on 18 minutes. Ballyduff kept in touch with points from Barry O’Grady, Aiden Boyle three from Bobby O’Sullivan.

Michael O’Leary had a point in-between on twenty six minutes to leave the halftime score Abbeydorney 2-4 points to 0-10 points for Ballyduff.

Ballyduff Abbeydorney 15 — Action from the Ballyduff v Abbeydorney match in Lixnaw on Sunday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

On the resumption Bobby O’Sullivan recommenced his free scoring with a point, PJ Keane had one back for Abbeydorney from play, Michael O’Leary then struck for goal number three as well as adding a point. Barry O’Grady had a post-splitter and then the big man Gary O’Brien drew Ballyduff level with a fine goal Abbeydorney 3-6 Ballyduff 1-12.

Six minutes into the second half, Michael O’Leary and Brian O’Leary added a point each as did PJ Keane with a free. Michael Boyle and Barry O’Grady had a point each with Bobby O’Sullivan adding three to leave the final score Abbeydorney 3-9 points Ballyduff 1-17.

Ballyduff Abbeydorney 14 — Action from the Ballyduff v Abbeydorney match in Lixnaw on Sunday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

Abbeydorney will ask what they have to do to win the championship. They played their hearts out and had Ballyduff in all sorts of bother early on, especially prior to the downpour.

The rain seemed to dampen their challenge and some of their decision making on the pitch did not do them any favours. You cannot play the likes of Gary O’Brien and Michael Boyle from behind, you must be able to “manufacture” frees and finally there is no need to try to score goals with ten minutes to go when you are only a point or two down.

Ballyduff Abbeydorney 13 — Action from the Ballyduff v Abbeydorney match in Lixnaw on Sunday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

Ballyduff for their part are in seventh heaven.

They had set out on this year’s road to the Nelius Flynn Cup hoping for the best and after the defeat by Causeway in Kilmoyley and the loss of Padraigh Boyle, their year looked bleak.

A win over Crotta in extra time seems to have ignited their challenge and they will only get better.

Scroll down for loads of photos…

Ballyduff Abbeydorney 5 — Action from the Ballyduff v Abbeydorney match in Lixnaw on Sunday. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

Ballyduff:
Joe Bunyan, Cathal Kearney, Anthony O Carroll, John Hussey, (Mike Hussey) Barry O Grady (3pts) Padraigh O Grady, David O Grady, Daniel Carroll, Giles O Grady, Liam Boyle, Aiden Boyle, (1 pt) Bobby O Sullivan (11 pts 9 frees) Michael Boyle Cpt (1 pt) Gary O Brien (1gl 1 pt) Eoin Ross (Tomas Rourke)

Abbeydorney:
Nigel Roche, Kieran O Connell (Alex O Mahony) Aiden Healy, Mike Hannafin, Niall O Connell, Brian O Leary (1pt) Stevie O Sullivan, Brendan O Leary, Kieran Dineen, David Egan (1pt) Michael O learu (1g 3pts) James O Connor, P.J. Keane (2gls 2 pts)
Brian Donovan (2 pts) (Ivan McCarthy ) Daniel O Leary.