The Kerry hurling’s ‘El Clasico’ delivered at Austin Stack Park today, watched by Mike O’Halloran…

Ballyduff 2-14

Kilmoyley 1-17

El Clasico Ciarrai, was in danger of being blown and washed away by elements in Austin Stack Park today, only for the great talent and skill of two great teams to rescue it.

The players did not allow the wind and rain to put a dampener on the special day for Kerry hurling.

The final twenty minutes were enthralling to say the least. I wrote during the week that Padraig Boyle and Daniel Collins would have a huge influence on this game and so they did.

Continued below…

Collins ended up with eleven points to his name. Boyle scored 1-6.

He was joined on the scoreboard by his two brothers, Michael scoring three fine points and the elder Liam scoring the goal to bring Ballyduff back into the game.

Ballyduff led by 1-3 to nil at one stage, the goal coming from Padraigh Boyle.

Daniel Collins had Kilmoyley’s first point. Ten minutes later the score was Kilmoyley 1-6 Ballyduff 1-4. The goal came from James Godley who drove a ball in from nearly halfway. PJ Gorman seemed to think it was going wide, but it ended up in the net.

Daniel Collins levelled the game at 1-7 each at half time and the second half also yielded ten points each.

Kilmoyley had the wind in the second half and were in charge in most areas of the field. They opened up a three point gap on seven minutes and led by four points 1-16 to 1-12 fifteen minutes later.

Ballyduff  were brought back from the brink by the old head of Liam Boyle when he gathered about thirty metres out. He headed towards goal with his brother Padraig peeling off to his right expecting a pass. But Liam didn’t need him. He went for glory and smashed the ball to the net.

Another older head, Sean Mansell, last year’s Kilmoyley captain seemed to have sealed the win for Kilmoyley when he pointed from an acute angle in overtime.

The referee had the final say though. He awarded a free to Ballyduff  about 55 metres out and slightly to the left of the posts. Padraig Boyle ambled out and drove it over  to level matters Kilmoyley 1-17 Ballyduff 2-14

I think Kilmoyley might be a bit aggrieved at the result, given the amount of extra time played in the game.

The second half was when this county final came to life. I think the influence of Jack Goulding was a factor in the resurrection of Ballyduff as he scored four points and was confident enough to attempt to score two side-line cuts.

Perhaps Kilmoyley might have left Tom Murnane at halfback rather than moving him to the corner when they replaced Seanie Murnane with Joe McElligott.

Tom was distributing a lot of ball to the forwards when he was further out the field. Another day out is what we can all look forward to in two weeks time.

Replays never go the same way as the drawn game, so don’t expect another classic.

Scroll down for photos…

Ballyduff. P J O’Gorman. Tom Slattery, Paud Costello, David O’Grady, Eoin Ross (Eric O’Connor), Padraigh O’Grady, Anthony O’Carroll, Daniel O’Carroll, Michael Boyle (0.3), Padraigh Boyle (1.06), Liam Boyle (1.0), Barry O’Grady (0.1), Jack Goulding (0.4), Gary O’Brien (David Goulding), John Hussey (Bobby O’Sullivan).

Kilmoyley, Aiden McCabe, Seanie Murnane ( Joe McElligott), Colman Savage, Sean Nolan, Sean Dowling, Tom Murnane, Dougie Fitzelle, James Godley (1.0), Paudie O’Connor (0.2), Jordan Brick, Sean Maunsell ( 0.1), Daniel Collins (0.11), Robert Collins, Adrian Royle ( 0.1), Shane Brick (0.2).