PREVIEW: Ballyduff And Abbeydorney To Be A Titanic Battle

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Mike O’Halloran looks at the Garvey’s SuperValu Kerry Senior Hurling Championship semi-final between Abbeydorney and Ballyduff at Austin Stack Park on Sunday afternoon at 1.45pm…

Action from last year’s championship game between Abbeydorney and Ballyduff.

We are down to the last four, in the championship, where Ballyduff take on Abbeydorney, and Kilmoyley joust with St Brendan’s.

Ballyduff, it is fair to say, started out this year, more in hope than expectation, they have reached the semis, with a comprehensive win over Causeway, a win that was orchestrated by Padraig Boyle.

I have been tipping Abbeydorney to go all the way this year.  I spoke to Kieran Dineen during the week, and he was optimistic about O’Dorneys chances against Ballyduff.

He cites a new attitude, by this current crop of Abbeydorney players. A big plus for the Bricksiders, is that they have all their big players around for the summer.

Continued below…

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They have big numbers at training, and are a very tight knit group. Abbeydorney have won both their games, to get to the semi-final.

In their replay against Crotta, they managed to shut down the threat of Crotta’s big guns, like, Shane Nolan, Sean Weir and Jordan Conway. In order to overcome Ballyduff, they will have to nullify the threat posed by Padraig Boyle, especially.

Padraig Boyle will have to be on top form and will need loads of support, from the likes of Jack Goulding and his brother Liam, to overcome Abbeydorney.

The O’Leary’s will lead the van for O’Dorney, but this Abbeydorney team is solid front to back. Beano I think has found a position that suits them best, his shot stopping and game management, from between the posts is very impressive.

Niall O’Connell and Aiden Healy, leave little past them. Kieran Dineen is a huge at centre back.

Up front James O’Connor is lethal  and Mike Hannafin works his socks off  for about 40 minutes, he is then replaced by the likes of Stevie O’Sullivan or Ronan Donovan.

Donovan and O’Sullivan provide serious pace when their opponents are beginning to flag and punish with hard running and accurate striking.

Abbeydorney should have too much power for Ballyduff, but you write off, Ballyduff at your peril.

Paud Costello, David O’Grady and Padraig O’Grady, will make sure that no soft scores are allowed.  Eoin Ross at wing back is capable of scoring a long range point or two.

Daniel O’Carroll is back from injury and will support Michael Boyle at midfield. Anthony O’Carroll has a big game in his arsenal and will need to produce it next Sunday. John Hussey will gain confidence from his cracking goal against Causeway.

Jack Goulding is capable of having a massive influence on the game with his pace and skill. If he runs at the Abbeydorney defence, he can win frees – Abbeydorney allowed Crotta back into the drawn game with the concession of frees.

Gary O’Brien is not yet ready to hand over the mantle of being one of Kerry’s best forwards and he will relish the opportunity to pit his wits against Aiden Healy.

Ballyduff might just shade this one, but don’t be surprised if Abbeydorney reach their third final in recent years.