REPORT/PHOTOS: Ballyduff Coast Into County Final After Beating Lacklustre Abbeydorney

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Mike O’Halloran watched Ballyduff snuff out Abbeydorney’s challenge yesterday, to reach the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SHC final next month…

Ballyduff  1-20

Abbeydorney 0-11

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Ballyduff’s Jack Goulding consoles Abbeydorney’s Michael O’Leary at the final whistle. Photo by Dermot Crean

In my preview, I tipped Ballyduff to win this encounter with Abbeydorney, but I did not expect that the margin would be so wide.

After the first two rounds, I thought that this Abbeydorney team had all the tools necessary to trouble Ballyduff.

That is not the way it turned out, as Abbeydorney never came near presenting any kind of a challenge to Ballyduff.

Ballyduff lined out with two changes to the team named on the programme; Aiden Boyle was named at number fifteen, even though he is on the injured list for another few weeks at least.

Continued below…

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Padraig Boyle took Aiden’s place and Barry O’Grady started instead of David Goulding.

There was a lot of talk recently about teams posting dummy teams for programmes and it was supposed to be addressed by the GAA.

Ballyduff may have tried to confuse the opposition with their programme selection, but I think Abbeydorney confused themselves, by completely rejigging their team.

I find it hard to understand how Kieran Dineen did not play at centre back and why they persisted with Brian O’Leary as a sweeper, when he could be better used up front assisting the forwards.

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Anthony O’Carroll in possession while David Egan challenges. Photo by Dermot Crean

There is very little to say about the game apart, from mentioning the great display of fabulous skill on show from Jack Goulding with 0-8 points and Padraig Boyle scoring 1-9.

Brian O’Leary opened Abbeydorney’s scoring, Padraig Boyle replied for Ballyduff. After eleven minutes, Padraig Boyle made it five points to one, with a sixty five.

James O’Connor, who had been excellent all season had a point back for Abbeydorney, but eight minutes later Jack Goulding pointed to make it nine to two.

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A battle for possession during the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean

 

Ballyduff led by ten at halftime 0-13 to 0-3. Five minutes into the second half they led 1-14 to 0-4, when Padraig Boyle got a touch on a ball, struck in by Michael Boyle and it flashed to the net, out the grasp of Eoin Egan and out of Beano’s reach.

Game over with  twenty five minutes to go. It finally ended with Ballyduff scoring 1-20 and Abbeydorney finishing with  0-11.

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A fine catch by Eoin Ross. Photo by Dermot Crean

Disappointment for an Abbeydorney team, that had big dreams for 2016. The dream of reaching the final must begin again next year for them. With the amount of talent they have, that dream is not far away. Ballyduff march on to a final with Kilmoyley.

Ballyduff: 

P J O’Gorman: Thomas Slattery, Paud Costello, David O’Grady; Eoin Ross (01), Padraig O’Grady , Barry O’Grady (01)(David Goulding) Daniel O’Carroll, Mikey Boyle; John Hussey (Sean Browne) (0.1), Liam Boyle (Paul O’Carrol), Anthony O’Carroll (Cathal Kearney) Jack Goulding (08). Garry O’Brien (Bobby O’Sullivan), Padraigh Boyle. (1.09)

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The Ballyduff panel before the game on Sunday. Photo by Mike O’Halloran

Abbeydorney; 

Brian O’Donovan; Stephen O’Connor, Aidan Healy, Niall O’Connell; Eoin Egan, Kieran Dineen, Darragh O’Brien; Brendan O’Leary (02), Daniel O’Leary(Dave Egan) Mike Hanafin (Stevie O’Sullivan) Michael O’Leary (03), James O’Connor(02) Damien Ryall , Brian O’Leary(02) Nigel Roche)(02), P J Keane (Cathal Dower)

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The Abbeydorney panel before the match on Sunday. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
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Jack Goulding in control of the ball. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Eoin Ross clears despite David Egan’s efforts. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Garry O’Brien and Brian O’Donovan exchange congratulations/commiserations at the final whistle. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Anthony O’Carroll evades Brendan O’Leary and Nigel Roche. Photo by Dermot Crean