Mike O’Halloran was at the delayed playing of the Division 1 County Hurling League Final last night…
John Egan scored 1-15 in his man of the match performance.
Ballyduff 1-16
St Brendans 1-24
It is a long time since the Div 1 Hurling County League final was played in June but this was the 2014 competition final.
The Kerry GAA Credit Union sponsored Division 1 2014 Senior Hurling Final was played in Ballyduff on Friday night resulting in a win for St Brendan’s, but the main talking point after the game was the display by the great John Egan.
The dual star amassed 1-15, his points were from placed balls, 65s, a sideline cut and play in a master class of positional play and accuracy from every angle.
Continued below…
Egan was presented the man of the match award by Jack Harrington representing The Credit Union.
The first half was a pretty even affair with the teams going in at halftime 0-10 all, with Michael Boyle being very influential for Ballyduff.
Michael Boyle has an attempt at a goal for Ballyduff. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Michael was denied two goals by two splendid saves by Darren Delaney in the St Brendans goal. Padraigh Boyle had contributed 0-6 for Ballyduff.
Ballyduff had the first three scores of the second half – one each from Padraigh Boyle, Daniel Carroll and Eoin Ross – before Daithi Griffin sparked St Brendan’s into life with a point, Kevin Opren added another before Egan goaled and then added a point.
Padraigh Boyle replied with a goal for Ballyduff but that was then end really of the Ballyduff challenge.
St Brendan’s were further energised by the introduction of Eric Leen. The minor had a major influence on St Brendan’s second half performance and they ran out comfortable winners in the end in a game that was played in a great spirit and gave referee Tom Godley very little to do apart from record scores.
The victorious St Brendan’s celebrates their league victory.
Ballyduff Hurling Club is hoping to be the venue for some of the hurling championship games (due to the temporary closure of Austin Stack Park).
The pitch tonight was in beautiful condition and work in ongoing in upgrading the facilities for patrons.
I guess Ballyduff will be hoping that their pitch will not be the venue for the final as, if it is, they will not be playing in the final and given tonight’s performance it is very difficult to see them progressing to the final.
If Ballyduff get all the players back that were not available tonight, they might be in with a shout.
I spoke to people before the game and they quietly fancied St Brendan’s to win the Neilus Flynn trophy this year and after their performance tonight it is very hard to look beyond them.
St Brendan’s played without Kevin Hannafin and Cian Hussey and John Galvin, in young Eric Leen they have another star in the making.
It is also important to point out that St Brendan’s can now concentrate on hurling since Ardfert are out of the football championship.
