Mike O’Halloran watched a thrilling Kerry SHC encounter at Austin Stack Park yesterday…
Abbeydorney 1-18
Lixnaw 0-19
The Abbeydorney panel. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
I spoke to an Abbeydorney man before the game, a certain Mr Donovan, and he said “this is going to be the upset of the weekend and Jack Sheehan is going to be the man of the match.” William O’Leary told me they were going to win.
Win they did. It was nip and tuck until Shane Conway had two points in a row to put Lixnaw ahead five points to three.
Abbeydorney then lost Michael Slattery before the water break, David Egan replaced him.
PJ Keane and Tomas Hannafin put Abbeydorney ahead before points from Shane Conway, Jamie Galvin and Jeremy McKenna made the score nine points to seven.
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Daniel O’Leary and PJ Keane levelled for Abbeydorney. PJ added two before halftime and Shane Conway rapped over one to leave the score at halftime Abbeydorney 0-11 Lixnaw 0-11
The Lixnaw panel. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
On the restart, three points from John Buckley and one for Brian O’Leary made it Lixnaw 0-14 Abbeydorney 0-12.
PJ Keane, Jack Sheehan and Michael O’Leary brought the score to fifteen points with Shane Conway scoring one, all square at the water break.
Then came the score that changed the game, a cracking goal from young Jack Sheehan. James Flaherty replied for Lixnaw and they added three more points but it was not enough as Abbeydorney added three as well.
This was a cracking game full of passion and skill, but two men made a huge impact on the result; Michael O’Leary was imperious and Jack Sheehan got the goal and goals win matches.
Abbeydorney will now meet Kilmoyley in the semi-final where Ronan Donovan will pits his wits against the Collins brothers.
Mike O’Halloran saw Kilmoyley beat the neighbours in the Kerry Senior Hurling Championship…
Kilmoyley 0-15
St Brendans 0-12
Photo by Mike O’Halloran
On Friday evening I said you can’t bate the youth, but last night it was a case of “the old dog for the hard road”, well less of the old I guess as the man who brought Kilmoyley level was the experienced Daniel Collins.
With two minutes left on the clock and point behind he was presented with a penalty and rather than risk a save he blasted the ball over the bar to level the game putting faith in his fellow players.
That faith was rewarded by Maurice O’Connor who drove over two points and his brother Robert scoring one to get Kilmoyley into the next round.
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The sides were level at halftime six points all after a tight thirty minutes. Dan Collins had opened the scoring for Kilmoyley after a foul on Maurice O’Connor, Cian Hussey replied for St Brendans, Kevin Hannafin and Tom Moloney followed with points for St Brendans , two Kilmoyley points followed from Robert Collins and Jordan Brick, all square after ten minutes.
St Brendans were tenacious at the back and made life very difficult for the Kilmoyley forwards, Killain Woulfe was very impressive.
The St Brendan’s team. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
After the water break, Paudie O’Connor put Kilmoyley in front but Kevin Hannafin drove over two in a row, Cian Hussey pointed a free after Daithi Griffin was fouled.
Maurice O’Connor who was the stand out player on the park tipped over two points in a row to level matter at halftime six points all.
Kevin Hannafin and Maurice O’Connor exchanged points at the start of the second half, a little while later Jordan Brick bore down on the St Brendans goal but he was unable to keep control of the slioter and the chance went.
Maurice O’Connor stroked over two more to put Kilmoyley ahead by two, nine points to seven.
Cian Hussey nearly had the the ball in the net from distance only for John B O’Halloran to push it out for a 65. Cian drove the 65 between the sticks.
Two minutes later Maurice O’Connor brought a great save from Darren Delaney when Darren tipped his rasper over the crossbar.
Two unanswered points from Cian Hussey and Nathan O’Driscoll drew St Brendans level with 21 minutes gone in the second period. Kevin Hannafin put St Brendans ahead.
But guess who drew Kilmoyley level? Yep you guessed it, Maurice O’Connor. A foul on young Seamus O’Halloran led to another converted free from Cian, St Brendans ahead twelve points to eleven.
With 28 minutes on the clock Maurice was fouled on the way in, a penalty for Kilmoyley. Surely this was going to be a two point lead for Kilmoyley from the penalty, but no, as I described earlier, Collins levelled the game and the last three scores came from Kilmoyley sticks.
I had expected Kilmoyley to win, but apart from the two O’Connors the rest of the players have some soul searching to do if they are to progress to the final.
There is tremendous credit due to Paudie O’Connor who has recovered from two cruciate injuries and worked hard with Mossie in the sands of Banna to get back to full fitness.
But I guess this was the game Kilmoyley needed to clear the injectors, I said in my preview that St Brendans needed to spread their scorers and present themselves with goal scoring chances they only had one half goal chance. Final score again; Kilmoyley 0-15 St Brendans 0-12.
Mike O’Halloran was at Austin Stack Park to see Ballyduff advance in the opening round of the Kerry SHC on Friday evening…
Ballyduff 1-20
Ballyheigue 0-15
The Ballyduff team. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
There’s a saying in north Kerry, “you can’t bate the youth”, well the youth of Ballyheigue and Ballyduff really showed their elders how to play hurling.
Colin Walsh and Nathan Guiren carried the fight to Ballyduff while at the other end Dylan Moriarty and Kevin Goulding impressed for Ballyduff. Ballyheigue left Austin Stack Park losing by eight points.
But the scoreboard does their efforts no justice and only for a bit of naivety they could be three or four points nearer Ballyduff.
Ballyduff led by a point at halftime 0-10 to 0-9, Ballyheigue had started very well and led by three points within six minutes with two points from Nathan Guiren and one from Michael Leane.
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.The Ballyheigue team. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Ten minutes later Kevin Goulding had Ballyduff level four points all. After the first water break Junior O’Connor put Ballyduff ahead by two from distance.
On twenty-one minutes Colin Walsh put Ciaran Casey in for a point to level matters at six points all. The sides were level twice more before Padraig Boyle pointed to put Ballyduff ahead by one at halftime.
Ballyheigue failed to convert two frees on the resumption, then with seven minutes gone in the second half Dylan Moriarty blasted to the net to move the score to 1-11 for Ballyduff Ballyheigue 0-09.
A misdirected puck out made its way to an unmarked Padraig Boyle and he split the posts. Padraig Boyle scored some wonderful points for Ballyduff but the point of the game from Dylan Moriarty when he wove his magic to tap over on sixteen minutes to put Ballyduff ahead by five points 1-14 to 0-12.
Nathan Guiren added four points and Michael Leane had two to complete the Ballyheigue tally.
Dylan Moriarty, Kevin Goulding and Padraig Boyle were the top scorers for Ballyduff. Surely the Ballyduff full forward line is the most lethal in Kerry. A loss for Ballyheigue but boy did they do their club and their families proud. In a year or two the sea-siders will be serious contenders.
Mike O’Halloran watched Causeway overcome St Brendan’s in the North Kerry Championship yesterday….
St Brendan’s 0-17
Causeway 3-16
Action from the game. Photo by Steve Baker
“There’s no stopping Causeway.” That was one man’s comment at the end of the North Kerry Championship game where Causeway overcame St Brendan’s.
Causeway look good and are playing with the confidence of champions, but St Brendan’s could have come much nearer the champions were it not for the three goals they conceded in the first half.
Causeway were ahead within 30 seconds when a Billy Lyons free bounced to the net, Keith Carmody followed with a point. Further points followed from Joe Diggins, Dan Goggin and Brian Murphy before Cian Hussey had St Brendan’s first score.
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Tadhg Flynn launched a puck out on 13 minutes which ended up in the St Brendan’s net.
Cian Hussey had a point to leave the score St Brendan’s 0-2 Causeway 2-5 after 14 minutes. Billy Lyons and Jason Diggins had a point each, Nathan O’Driscoll replied for the Ardfert boys.
By halftime Causeway led 3-10 to 0-6 Cian Hussey with two for St Brendans and one from Daithi Griffin.
Action from the game. Photo by Steve Baker
St Brendan’s battled hard to try to reduce the deficit and tacked on points but were unable to manufacture any goal scoring chance.
Causeway added six points before the end from Dan Goggin (2), Billy Lyons (2), Gearoid O’Mahony and Colum Harty one each.
Cian Hussey drove over eight points for St Brendan’s in the second half with Daithi Griffin, John Egan and Nathan O’Driscoll had one each before the end.
Action from the game. Photo by Steve Baker
The game was one of two halves with the wind blowing hard from the village end into the St Brendan’s goal in the first half resulting in a puck out from Tagdh Flynn ended up in the St Brendan’s net.
The wind reduce a little in the second half and St Brendans improved their effort and will be pleased enough with their effort but they will need to present themselves with goal chances if they are to challenge for honours later.
Mike O’Halloran watched St Brendan’s overcome the home side Ballyduff in the North Kerry Hurling Championship earlier today…
Ballyduff 1-17
St Brendan’s 1-26
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Played in brilliant sunshine in the home of hurling, St Brendan’s were full value for their nine point win.
St Brendan’s looked the better from the very start, when after only thirty seconds, Cian Hussey had them in front playing into the Wall Ball end.
Daragh Goulding replied for Ballyduff before Padraig Boyle put Ballyduff ahead, Tom Moloney replied for St Brendan’s, Cian Hussey put the Ardfert boys back in front on six minutes.
The sides were level again a minute later when Eoin Ross scored a pointed free from down town.
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The next three points came from St Brendan’s — two from Cian Hussey and one from the evergreen John Egan. Padraig Boyle reduced the margin by one on seven minutes.
St Brendan’s scored five more unanswered points, four coming from Cian Hussey and one from Nathan Driscoll.
On 27 minutes,Ballyduff won a penalty and that was duly dispatched by Eoin Ross to leave the score at that stage Ballyduff 1-4 St Brendan’s 0-11.
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Ballyduff were to add two more points before halftime one each from Padraig Boyle and Kevin Junior O’Connor, while St Brendan’s added four, one from Darren Dineen, Eric Reen, Daithi Griffin and Cian Hussey with a free to leave the halftime score Ballyduff 1-6 St Brendan’s 0-15.
Ballyduff had the wind in the second half and opened with two points from Padraig Boyle with Cian Hussey adding two for St Brendan’s.
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Michael Davis, operating at midfield, pointed for St Brendans before Nathan O’Driscoll tapped over two in a row.
With ten minutes gone in the second half Ballyduff trailed by seven points 1.10 to 0.20 after Junior had his second point.
Dylan Moriarty split the posts on twenty minutes, Cian hussey added two more points from frees before Padraig Boyle had a point for Ballyduff followed by a point from John Egan.
On 20 minutes Eoin Ross made it Ballyduff 1-13 St Brendan’s 0-23.
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Padraig Boyle was to add two more points for Ballyduff with Kevin Junior O’Connor and Eoin Ross adding one each, but St Brendan’s split the posts three more times.
The goal that St Brendan’s sought fell in the end to Daithi Griffin, when he gave Michael Boyle no chance when he struck to his left to shake the net.
Ballyduff will point to the fact that they lined out without a number of their stars, Padraig O’Grady, Paud Costello, Aiden Boyle, PJ O’Gorman while Michael Boyle played between the sticks. Ballyduff were also guilty of making some mistakes that were punished by a goal a few points.
St Brendan’s looked really impressive and played a great brand of hurling and they seem to have a well motivated well drilled side for the season and their game versus Kilmoyley in the county championship looks even more mouth watering now.
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
That is if the county championship goes ahead. I was amazed at the amount of people I’ve met over the past few days that say the sport will be shut down until 2021.
Hopefully it won’t, but remember this; it’s up to us all make sure it does not shut down by being careful at the venues by social distancing, washing our hand covering our coughs and sneezes and wearing face coverings.
So if we go back to no sport, it’s not the government’s fault, it’s our own by not following the stay safe guidelines.
The Ballyduff team. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Ballyduff club had done their best to keep people safe today with sanitising stations and an advisory on their facebook page to wear face coverings.
All the North Kerry Hurling Board and the clubs can do is issue the guidelines. If we wish to ignore them let on our heads be it.
Interesting that the Gardai made two visits to the venue, one prior to the game and one towards the end. Please lads and ladies, mind each other.
Mike O’Halloran reports on the North Kerry Championship game played in Causeway last night between Causeway and Lixnaw…
Causeway 0-15
Lixnaw 0-14
Action from the game last night. Photo: Mike O’Halloran
Let me start by saying that I was very apprehensive about attending any games or being in crowds during the Covid, I have taken the threat of infection very seriously form day one. I attended wearing a mask.
On arrival in Causeway I was very impressed with their organisation and their adherence to the return to play guidelines.
They had sanitising stations and a PA system manned by a gentleman who welcomed everybody to the game as well as advising us of our obligation to social distance and to sanitise, the club had done their utmost to advise people on staying safe, but we supporters all need to be a little bit more aware of our own actions to keep each other safe.
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The game itself was quite a lively encounter, with both teams leaving everything on the field.
Causeway certainly did not look like a team that has been mothballed for months. They started without some of their stars, but they looked like champions and judging on tonight’s performance they must be odds on to win another county title if the county championship goes ahead this year.
Joe Diggins opened the Causeway account, Michael Conway replied for Lixnaw. His brother Shane pointed a free after James Flaherty won a ball in the air and was fouled.
Keith Carmody drew Causeway level, Shane Conway won possession from the puck out and drove over a point. Jason Leahy stroked over a monster free to make it 3 points all on nine minutes.
Billy Lyons had the next two points one from a free and one from play. Shane Conway and Keith Carmody swapped points, Billy tapped over to make it Causeway 0-7 Lixnaw 0-5 on 23 minutes.
The Lixnaw side. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Billy Lyons and Shane Conway had a point each. Shane added two more before halftime. Mark Murphy also had a point to leave the halftime score Causeway 0-9 Lixnaw 0-8.
Michael Conway did have a goal chance smothered by John Mike Dooley just before the short whistle.
Sean Sheehan made it a two point game 23 seconds into the second half and a minute later James Flaherty reduced it to one.
Billy Lyons had a pointed free replied to twice by Shane Conway to level matters 11 points all on the seventh minute.
Shane put Lixnaw ahead a minute later only for Billy to split the post again from a free. On 17 minutes Shane put Lixnaw back ahead Colum Harty who had just been introduced pointed four minutes later.
Shane Conway had his clubs final point while Colum and Billy added a point each for Causeway.
Causeway, like I said earlier, look the real deal and will be difficult to beat in this competition. As for Lixnaw they seemed to have run into the same problem as they did in the county final.
The Causeway side. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
They seem to be unable to get the ball to the scoring zone in a way that gives their forwards a fair chance of winning possession.
On several occasions tonight it looked like Causeway had one or two extra backs. Lixnaw must be delighted that Johnny Buckley is back and Conor O’Keefe looks like a powerful unit now.
Darragh Shanahan impressed as did Jeremy McKenna. Shane Conway was his usual self but he needs much more assistance up front.
Causeway have Tommy Casey back and he was pretty impressive tonight as was Jason Diggins, Jason Leahy, Keith Carmody and Billy Lyons. Bryan Murphy came on late and looked really tuned in as did Colum Harty.
So for Lixnaw there’s quite a lot to improve on and I’m sure Fergus Fitzmaurice and Seanie McGrath will get onto that in the coming weeks.
It must be remembered that Lixnaw played most of the second half without Tweek and Brendan Brosnan and they only lost by a point and were it not for the save by John Mike from Michael Conway Lixnaw could have gone in at halftime leading.
Stephen Goggin must be delighted with his charges and how they have come out of the lockdown.
It was great to see a live game and let’s hope the Covid infection rates do not increase so that this and other competitions will be completed.
Stay safe, wash your hands, wear a mask, keep your distance and don’t be afraid to ask people to respect your space.
He helped UCC to a Fitzgibbon Cup victory last Wednesday, starred for Kerry on Saturday and now has been voted GAA.ie Hurler of the Week.
The Kerry star earned 5, 016 votes on the Official GAA Instagram page with Clare’s Tony Kelly second (4,649) and Dublin’s Rian McBride third (2,543).
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Last Wednesday he was hailed as the “Messi of Hurling” by UCC manager Tom Kingston after helping the Cork university retain the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup.
He scored nine points in that match and then scored another seven for the Kerry hurlers on Saturday as they defeated Meath to make it three wins from three in Division 2A of the Allianz Hurling League.
THE Kerry hurling team to play Mayo in Round 1 of the Allianz Hurling League, Division 2A, tomorrow, Saturday, January 25, at 2pm in Elvery’s MacHale Park, Castlebar is as follows:
Mike O’Halloran on Kerry’s defeat to Waterford this afternoon in the Munster Hurling League tie at Austin Stack Park in Tralee…
Kerry 1-10
Waterford 4-23
The Kerry side which faced Waterford. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
A 22 point demolition of Kerry by a Waterford team in transition showed to gulf in class between the top tier teams and the likes of Kerry.
Kerry had hung in during the first half and only trailed by three points at the end of the first half 1-05 t0 0-11, all the Kerry scores coming from placed balls by Shane Conway while Jordan Conway had a point from play.
The Kerry goal was a converted penalty by Shane Conway following a pretty bad foul on Michael Slattery, which looked like it should have been punished by a dark coloured card.
Waterford were playing lots of combinations with cross field tasing and diagonal balls trying to manufacture scores by going all round the houses.
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That was all to change at the beginning of the second half where they added one goal and three point within a few minutes.
The Waterford goal was powered to the net by Calum Lyons giving Martin Stackpoole no chance in the Kerry goal, Stackpoole had pulled off a great save in the opening minutes, this was to be one of four super saves he was to deliver during the game.
Within sixteen minutes of the resumption, Waterford led by double scores 2-16 to 1-08 after Stephen Bennett blasted to the net after he styled through a hapless Kerry defence. Daragh Lyons also goaled.
Michael Leane had a point from play for Kerry with 20 minutes on the clock, before Dessie Hutchinson blasted to the net having come on for Shane Ryan.
Waterford added six more points before the end to one point for Kerry, that point from play from Shane Conway.
This was a pretty tough day in Tralee for the Kerry boys, where they learned the true depth and width of the gulf between the likes of Waterford and themselves.
I’m not privy to how well training has gone for Kerry in the closed season, but if today is anything to go by, they have a lot of work to do between now and the start of the league.
But I’m sure they will knuckle down during the coming weeks and learn from the lesson dished out by Waterford today.
The defence will certainly have to be shored up and the forwards will have to manufacture scores from play to augment the scores from placed balls.
Kerry team:
Martin Stackpoole, Sean Weir, Bryan Murphy, Eric Reen (Donal Hunt) Conor O’Keefe, Michael Boyle, Evan Murphy (Eamonn Shanahan), Sean Sheehan, Shane Nolan (Declan O’Donoghue) Michael Leane 0-01, Fionan Mcassey, Colum Harty (Brandon Barrett), Jordan Conway 0-01, Shane Conway 1-08 1 penalty 7 frees 1 point from play, Michael Slattery (Padraig Boyle)
Mike O’Halloran reports on the Kerry Junior Hurling Final at John Mitchels GAA Grounds on Saturday…
Ballyheigue 3-07
St Pats East Kerry 1-12
The winning Ballyheigue team.
Ballyheigue are the Kerry Junior Hurling County Champions for 2019 they overcame St Pats in the final played in John Mitchels GAA grounds on Saturday.
Ballyheigue led 3-04 to 1-05 at halftime while playing with a stiff wind. I thought that maybe St Pats might use that wind to their advantage in the second half and with the help of the wind some handy frees they fought their way back to within one point of the winners.
St Pats won the second half by seven points to three but even though the ref played nearly eight minutes extra St Pats could not manufacture the point to draw the game. Paudie Dineen the Kerry Hurling Officer presented the cup to Ballyheigue captain Alan Lawlor.
Mike O’Halloran on the Acorn Life Under 21 Kerry Under 21 Hurling Final between Kenmare/Kilgarvan/Dr Crokes and Lixnaw…
Kenmare/Kilgarvan/Dr Crokes 2-16
Lixnaw 1-14
Photo by Mike O’Halloran
A well deserved win for the K/K/DrC outfit today in Tralee when they completely out-played, out-muscled and out-thought Lixnaw from start to finish.
K/K/Drc were ahead after forty seconds with a point from their captain Gearoid Hennessey. By the seventh minute Lixnaw were behind by five with Michael Linehan scoring one goal and two points , the goal coming from a penalty which he manufactured himself.
K/K/DrC were 1-05 to 0-03 up by the fifteenth minute, Shane Conway and Jamie Galvin pointing for Lixnaw.
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Kenmare/Kilgarvan/DrCrokes were down to fourteen on twenty five minutes but it made no difference to their direct powerful play when James McCarthy grabbed the ball at the other end and powered his way in for a goal, Shane Conway had points for Lixnaw to leave the halftime score Kenmare/Kilgarvan/DrCrokes 2-08 Lixnaw0-09.
Shane Conway put Lixnaw back in the game with a goal from a sideline cut within two minutes of the restart and with the aid of a strong wind Lixnaw must have fancied their chances of a win.
Photo by Mike O’Halloran
The next score was also for Lixnaw until on thirty seven minutes Lixnaw coughed up yet another free through their insistence on short passing out of defence, Michael Linehan tapped that free over along with another one three minutes later to leave the score on thirty eight minutes K/K/DrC 2-10 Lixnaw 1-10.
The sides were even player number wise when Lixnaw had a man sent off on forty five minutes.
Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Try as they might Lixnaw could never get to grips with the power of the south Kerry boys.
While Michael Linehan will receive all the plaudits for his scoring prowess, this was far from a one man show.
Gearoid Hennessey, Daniel Casey, Donal O’Sullivan did their bit, but the stand out men for me were Dan and James McCarthy with the amount of selfless work they did all day to fashion this win for Kenmare/Kilgarvan/Dr Crokes.
This now is a very solid foundation for a senior team from South Kerry Board to set their sights on winning a senior county championship.
Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Surely with nearly thirty years of development gone into “the weaker hurling areas” there should be at least one team if not two capable of contesting the senior county championship.
The South Kerry scene contains St Pats East Kerry, Tralee Parnells, Kenmare, Kilgarvan, Duagh and Dr Crokes, there must be more players in that pool than there are in any one North Kerry club.
South Kerry are on the brink of big success if they can keep these players together. I believe that if this team played in this years senior championship they would have reached the semifinals at least. Well done to Kenmare/Kilgarvan/Dr Crokes on todays success and hard luck to Lixnaw.
Photo by Mike O’HalloranPhoto by Mike O’HalloranPhoto by Mike O’HalloranPhoto by Mike O’Halloran
Clanmaurice made the long trip to Newport GAA in Tipperary on Saturday to face St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield of Clare with the Kerry Girls seeking to win the Munster Junior Club title for the third year in a row.
On a perfect day for camogie, Clanmaurice started well and Patrice Diggin had them three points to the good by the third minute with two frees and one point from play.
The St. Joseph’s girls were pressing hard to get an opening score and a dangerous ball dropped into the Clanmaurice goalmouth was eventually cleared. St. Joseph’s Louise Woods got their opening score in the 10th minute.
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Rachel McCarthy and Olivia Dineen then combined to enable Olivia to split the Doora-Barefield posts. It was then the turn of Clanmaurice to launch an attack on the Doora-Barefield goal but No. 7 Eimear Casey saved the day for the Banner Women.
Jessica Fitzell then went on a scintillating run but her effort went agonisingly wide. Aisling McMahon scored a free for St. Joseph’s and Hannah Meaney found the Clanmaurice net in the 29th minute to give Doora-Barefield a massive lift on the approach to halftime.
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An Aisling McMahon free in the 2nd minute of injury time left the halftime score at St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield 1-3 Clanmaurice 0-4. It was clear that Clanmaurice would have to pull out all the stops to retain their title.
Louise Woods opened the second half scoring with a free to put a goal between the sides but this was to be the final score for St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield.
Patrice Diggin converted a free and in the 34thminute, Olivia Dineen was at the end of a move to finish the ball to the Doora-Barefield net. Jackie Horgan scored a point from play in the 37th and Patrice Diggin followed with a free in the 40th.
In the 42nd minute, Jessica Fitzell was fouled as she bore down on the Doora-Barefield goal and the penalty strike from Patrice Diggin was deflected over the bar.
St. Joseph’s launched an attack on the Clanmaurice goal in the 44th minute but goalkeeper Aoife Fitzgerald was coolness personified as she dealt with the threat.
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Patrice Diggin made it 1-9 to 1-4 in the 46th minute and the same player showed her defence capabilities in the 49th as she lifted the siege with Doora-Barefield pressing hard for the goal that they so badly needed.
A Patrice Diggin point from play in the 50th minute was followed by a moment of magic when Laura Collins went on a brilliant run and she finished the sliotar to the Doora-Barefield net.
It was then the turn of Michelle Costello to show her defensive skills and it fell to substitute Ann-Marie Leen to score the final point for Clanmaurice.
Two frees from St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield in the 59th minute and 4th minute of injury time left the full time score at Clanmaurice 2-11 St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield 1-6.
Patrice Diggin received the Player Of The Match Award from Munster Camogie Secretary Carmel Harkin and Captain Liz Houlihan accepted the Cup from Munster Camogie Chairperson Marion Graham much to the delight of the large Clanmaurice support.
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Clanmaurice will face Ballymacnab of Armagh in the All-Ireland Semi-Final on 10 November.
Kerry Team and Scorers: Aoife Fitzgerald, Elaine Ryall, Liz Houlihan, Michelle Costello, Niamh Leen, Sara Murphy, Áine O’Connor, Patrice Diggin (0-8, 0-5f), Laura Collins (1-0), Rachel McCarthy, Jackie Horgan (0-1), Olivia Dineen (1-1), Jessica Fitzell, Julianne O’Keeffe, Alanna Maunsell,
Substitutions: Clodagh Walsh for Julianne O’Keeffe, Ann-Marie Leen (0-1) for Jessica Fitzell, Aoife O’Connor for Alanna Maunsell
IT’S been a long time coming, but Causeway fulfilled their potential on Sunday to become Kerry Senior Hurling Champions for the first time since 1998.
They beat Lixnaw by 2-13 to 1-13 in front of 2,618 hurling fans in Austin Stack Park, sparking celebrations not seen in the venue for some time.
Causeway raced into an early 1-5 to 0-3 lead, thanks to a goal from Colum Harty and led by 1-07 to 0-05 at the short whistle.
They continued to stay ahead throughout the second half and when Harty struck another goal they were nine points ahead (2-12 t0 0-9) and their supporters were going wild in the stand.
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Fair play to Lixnaw though, as they narrowed the gap and an injury time penalty by Shane Conway saw them just three points behind.
But Causeway weren’t to be denied and one of the biggest cheers of the day was when long-serving club stalwart John Mike Dooley was held aloft with the Neilus Flynn cup.
Hopefully Kerry Rose Sally Ann Leahy will make it a Causeway double on Tuesday night by being crowned the Rose of Tralee! We took some photos on the day which you can see below…
John Mike Dooley lifts the cup. Photo by Dermot Crean.Captain Muiris Delaney with the cup. Photo by Dermot CreanCelebrations at the final whistle..Colum Harty celebrates his second goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.....Shane Conway’s penalty...................Noel O’Connor celebrates.
Mike O’Halloran watched the Garvey’s SuperValu Kerry Senior Hurling Championship double-header in Austin Stack Park on Saturday…
Action from the St Brendans v Causeway game. Photo: Steve Baker
Causeway overcame St Brendan’s on a scoreline of 1-16 to 0-12 in the opener in Tralee on Saturday.
Causeway led at halftime 1-05 to 0-03, the Causeway goal coming from a beautiful one handed over head flick from young Gavin Dooley.
St Brendans did fight back in the second half against the wind, but their inability to get goals and the contribution of Brandon Barrett when the need was greatest, saw Causeway over the line.
The Causeway subs were influential again yesterday with Paul McGrath coming on and driving over two great points.
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.Action from the St Brendans v Causeway game. Photo: Steve BakerAction from the St Brendans v Causeway game. Photo: Steve Baker
Lixnaw were less than impressive in their game against Kilmoyley and scraped home to a three point win 0-15 to 0-12.
Kilmoyley came into the game without the services of the great Tom Murnane and lined out without injured James Godley who had to retire early due to the injury he incurred last week.
But Kilmoyley put the champions to the pin of their collar with their display. Lixnaw lined out without John Buckley who will not play in the final either.
Action from the Kilmoyley v Lixnaw game. Photo: Steve Baker
Lixnaw were in bother prior to the introduction of Reggie Galvin who scored two points on his introduction. Another man who was influential at the end was Michael Conway who did sensible things when he was on the ball.
One has to feel for players who were forced to play this championship in a few weeks and one wonders what the hurry was with running off the competition.
I thought that there was nothing to touch Lixnaw this year, but after seeing Causeway demolish Ballyduff and their efficient defeat of St Brendan’s, they will be very hard to beat.
The final should be a cracker next week and it’s great to see four teams playing on county final day with Ballyduff and Crotta O’Neills contesting the minor final.
Action from the Kilmoyley v Lixnaw game. Photo: Steve BakerAction from the Kilmoyley v Lixnaw game. Photo: Steve BakerAction from the Kilmoyley v Lixnaw game. Photo: Steve Baker
Mike O’Halloran on the Keane’s SuperValu Kerry Minor Hurling semi-final between Ballyduff and Causeway/Kilmoyley…
Ballyduff 1-14
Causeway/Kilmoyley 1-12
Causeway/Kilmoyley team. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
How Causeway/Kilmoyley must regret the three goal chances they spurned in the first twelve minutes of the Keane’s SuperValu Kerry Minor Hurling Semifinal played in Lixnaw on Monday night.
Because on thirteen minutes Aiden O’Connor flashed to the net to make the score Ballyduff 1-02 C/K 0-01.
Causeway/Kilmoyley came back into the game and led 1-07 to 1-06 at halftime their goal coming from the stick of Matthew Burke.
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Paddy O’Rourke put Ballyduff ahead 1-09 to 1-08 ten minutes into the second half a lead they never surrendered.
Causeway/Kilmoyley did draw level 23 minutes into the second half when the excellent Ronan Walsh pointed a free, Paddy O’Rourke and Dylan Moriarty saw Ballyduff home with a point each, final score Ballyduff 1-14 Causeway/Kilmoyley 1-12.
Ballyduff now play Crotta O’Neills in the final as Crotta defeated Lixnaw in the other semifinal 0-22 to 0-13.
Causeway showed they are real contenders after a convincing victory over Ballyduff in Austin Stack Park yesterday. Mike O’Halloran reports…
Causeway 0-19
Ballyduff 0-08
Action from the game. Photo by Steve Baker
Causeway have qualified for the semi final of the Garvey’s SuperValu Kerry Senior Hurling Championship against St Brendan’s next weekend, with a complete demolition of Ballyduff.
Ballyduff did open the scoring through a Padraig Boyle pointed free, Colum Harty levelled for Causeway and after Brandon Barrett put Causeway ahead with free, Causeway were never to surrender that lead.
Causeway were totally dominant in all sectors of the field and exposed every weak spot in Ballyduff.
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Causeway won all the battles tactical, physical, matchups and more especially the individual battles.
All of Ballyduff’s top players were negated. Sean Sheehan was given a man marking job and he carried out that task to perfection.
Action from the game. Photo by Steve Baker
It was 31 minutes into the first half before Ballyduff were to get their second point from Eoin Ross. Jack O’Sullivan added a further point before halftime, prior to that Causeway had tacked on ten points, from Brandon Barrett 0-05, Brian Murphy 0-1, Dan Goggin 0-02, and Mark Murphy 0-02, to leave the the halftime score Causeway 0-12 Ballyduff 0-03.
Causeway carried on where they left off in the first half, where they scored six points without reply — five from the stick of Brandon Barrett and one from Colum Harty.
Ballyduff took fifteen minutes to register their first score in the second half, they scored four without reply two each from Padraig Boyle and Eoin Ross, Brandon Barrett had the final say with a pointed free to bring Causeway’s score to nineteen points.
Action from the game. Photo by Steve Baker
I had said in my preview that Causeway might have been better prepared than Ballyduff after their clash with Lixnaw and I didn’t know how Ballyduff were fixed, as they were poor against Crotta in the replay and they saw off a Ballyheigue team not at their best.
Ballyduff will be well chastened by this — the manner and extent of this defeat to their near neighbours — on the other hand Causeway will be well pleased with their performance.
Causeway did not create any real goal chances but they amassed nineteen points and they seemed not to have any weak link. Even young Mark Murphy who came on as a blood sub tapped over two pints.
Action from the game. Photo by Steve Baker
Jason Diggins was rock at centre back and even though Bryan Murphy wore number three, he played a lot of the game miles away from the full back position.
Causeway now face St Brendan’s in the semifinal and with this performance under their belt they will have their eye on returning Neilus Flynn Cup to its native parish. A rebuilding period awaits Ballyduff.
Mike O’Halloran saw Kilmoyley advance to the semi-finals of the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SHC after a hard fought win over Crotta O’Neills yesterday in Austin Stack Park…
Kilmoyley 1-19
Crotta O’Neills 1-11 (after extra time)
Action from the game. Photo by Steve Baker
Kilmoyley overcame Crotta O’Neills in a dour struggle in extra time.
It ended 1-10 each at full time, when Raymond Nolan brought the game to an extra 20 minutes with a fine strike under pressure.
Shane Nolan opened the scoring for Crotta with a pointed free but Maurice O’Connor replied with a free for Kilmoyley.
On seventeen minutes Daniel Collins blasted over from close range to put Kilmoyley ahead by one four points to three.
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Maurice O’Connor added two more points from frees, before Shane Nolan pointed on 22 minutes.
A minute later, Tom Murnane went off injured for Kilmoyley and this seemed to spark Crotta O’Neills into action with Shane Nolan blasting to the net after some nice interpassing.
He had a pointed free after before Maurice O’Connor left a point between them at halftime.
Crotta were a point up at halftime mainly due to the brilliance of their goalkeeper Adam O’Sullivan.
Action from the game. Photo by Steve Baker
Maurice O’Connor drew Kilmoyley level with five minutes of the restart. Another great save save from Adam O’Sullivan followed before Daniel Collins converted a penalty — Adam even got a touch to the strike but couldn’t prevent it going in.
The lights were on at 7.55pm and the weather was dreadful. Matthew Flaherty put Kilmoyley ahead by two on 47 minutes, but the two Nolans managed to bring the game to extra time, Shane and Raymond with a point each.
Kilmoyley came out with a new set of shirts for the extra time and they seemed like a new team as they held Crotta scoreless, while adding four points in the first half of extra time.
Action from the game. Photo by Steve Baker
Kilmoyley added five more points in the second half of extra time, two from Jordan Brick, one of which he kicked over the bar.
Kilmoyley will now face Lixnaw in the semi-final next weekend, they will be hoping that they can get Tom Murnane back fit for that game.
Shane Nolan had Crotta’s only score in extra time, it ended Kilmoyley 1-19 Crotta O’Neill’s 1-11.
I had mentioned in my preview that Crotta needed to help Shane Nolan with scoring stats, today he scored all their scores bar one point. Scroll down for photos…
Action from the game. Photo by Steve BakerAction from the game. Photo by Steve BakerAction from the game. Photo by Steve Baker
Mike O’Halloran looks at the two knock-out games in the Garvey’s SuperValu Kerry Senior Hurling Championship this Saturday evening in Austin Stack Park…
Padraig Boyle scores from a free back in the 2017 clash between Causeway and Ballyduff. Photo by Dermot Crean
There are two games down for decision on Saturday evening, Ballyduff take on Causeway at 5pm with Kilmoyley pitting their wits against Crotta O’Neills at 7pm.
The weather at the weekend is forecasted to be poor and the fact that the first game is on during the game between Dublin and Mayo will surely have an effect on the attendance.
The Ballyduff Causeway game is a hard one to call and no matter how I call it, I will be caught between a rock and a hard place.
Ballyduff were poor against Crotta in the replay but came back to defeat Ballyheigue amassing a pretty substantial score.
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But, in fairness, Ballyheigue were not at their best and the true form of Ballyduff cannot be measured. Ballyduff have trained well since and come knockout time they fear no-one.
Causeway roared out of the blocks in their first game, only to be struck down by Lixnaw in their next encounter. Lixnaw looked impressive that day and Causeway supporters went away dejected.
Perhaps their dejection can now be tempered with some hindsight — Causeway were denied two goal chances by two brilliant saves from Martin Stackpoole and they missed a penalty.
Inconsistency has been their downfall in past seasons, but I give them a great chance against Ballyduff, based on the fact that they got a very stern test against the current champions.
Padraig Boyle captains Ballyduff while Bryan Murphy leads Causeway.
Action from the Crotta v Kilmoyley clash in 2017. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kilmoyley will face Crotta O’Neills in the second game. Kilmoyley will welcome back their captain Paudie O’Connor who missed the last game against Abbeydorney.
They seem to be improving and will certainly test Crotta — I like the look of their team with Tom Murnane marshalling them around the middle while the two Collins, Maurice O’Connor Jordan Brick and Joe McElligott are a pretty potent attack.
Crotta O’Neills have had more games than Kilmoyley with their drawn games and these games should stand to them.
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I think their preparations were hampered for the replay against St Brendan’s with so many of their players playing in the U20 final and with these players a little fresher for this weekend I’d expect them to put it up to Kilmoyley.
I hear they have some injuries, but they have impressive players in every line — Sean Weir leads from the back, Tomas O’Connor is solid at centre back, Donal Hunt and Barry O’Mahony are a dynamic midfield partnership.
Shane Nolan has been doing his bit up front as has Jordan Conway and between them they have racked up the most of the Crotta scores. But there lies one of Crotta’s problems — they don’t have enough scorers to augment the two boys.
Crotta will have to play to the last second to overcome Kilmoyley and if they get ahead they must drive on and build on the lead and not let it slip. Paudie O’Connor will lead out Kilmoyley with Sean Weir at the helm for Crotta O’Neills
Mike O’Halloran watched St Brendan’s just get over the line against Crotta in the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SHC Round 2 replay yesterday in Austin Stack Park…
St Brendans 2-11
Crotta O’Neills 1-13
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Crotta O’Neills haven’t exited the championship with this one point loss today but it must surely put a little doubt in their minds as to how they can hold on to a lead.
Again yesterday they were four ahead at one stage in the first half, only to go in at halftime down by one.
Admittedly they were denied a goal and perhaps another decision or two during the half.
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Jordan Conway and Donal Hunt had Crotta ahead by two before John Egan pointed and Cian Hussey struck for goal. But Shane Nolan cancelled both of those scores with a goal and a point.
The next three points came from David Griffin, John Egan and Tim Hannafin who converted after some consternation in the Crotta square.
Five points followed for Crotta the final one came from Donal Hunt to put Crotta ahead by four 1-08 to 1-04. In-between those scores, Crotta had the ball in the net only for the ref to bring the play back for a free.
Tom Moloney and David Griffin had points before Cian Hussey converted a penalty to leave the halftime score Crotta 1-08 St Brendans 2-06.
Shane Nolan converted two frees after halftime and when Tim Hannafin was presented with a gilt edged goal chance his effort went out for a sixty five.
Egan converted the sixty five and Cian Hussey followed with a point before Tim Hannafin spurned another goal chance to put over another point.
Shane Nolan put over two more points, but Egan replied with a free. With 52 minutes gone Shane Nolan drew Crotta level 2-10 to 1-13.
David Griffin put St Brendans back in front by one a lead they held to the end despite Crotta being presented with six scoring chances — they had four wides in a row and Darren Delaney made two saves.
The final two scoring chances fell to Shane Nolan – he was short with a free that resulted in a sixty five at the corner flag, Shane was wide with the 65 and so it ended St Brendans 2-11 Crotta 1-13.
Crotta now face Kilmoyley at the weekend and they will have to dust themselves off from this defeat.
A point worth noting is that Crotta had some of their most influential players playing with the Kerry U20s on Saturday, hardly great preparation for today’s game.
Crotta will need to take all the scoring chances presented to them and they will have to add to their scoring personnel.
They say matches are better than training sessions and if that’s true then St Brendans and Crotta must be well prepared for the remainder of the competition.
St Brendans will be hoping that their ‘yanks’ will return with some hurling done while they were away. It’s knock out time next weekend so let the games begin.
Mike O’Halloran was in Austin Stack Park on Sunday to see Kilmoyley and Lixnaw advance in the Kerry Senior Hurling Championship…
Kilmoyley 3-21
Abbeydorney 1-16
Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Kilmoyley progressed to the next round of the Kerry SHC with an eleven point win over Abbeydorney.
Abbeydorney opened the brighter and led by one on eleven minutes, when PJ Keane put them ahead three points to two, but that was as good as it got for O’Dorney as within five minutes they were a goal behind 1-04 to to 0-04, the Kilmoyley goal coming from Maurice O’Connor.
By the halftime whistle, Kilmoyley led 2-09 to 0-06, Kilmoyley’s second goal coming from Kieran McCarthy.
With forty minutes on the clock, Jordan Brick struck over his fourth point to make it 3-13 to 0-08, Jordan was to score six points by the game’s end, each point better than the one before.
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An Aiden Healy goal came too late to make any difference to the Abbeydorney challenge when he struck the ball to the net on 55 minutes.
Abbeydorney were definitely hampered by the loss of Michael Slattery who was injured, when he did come on towards the end he showed glimpses of the type of threat he could have been if fit.
Tom Murnane returned for Kilmoyley and you could see his steadying influence on Kilmoyley.
Maurice O’Connor was impressive from play and placed balls and at the other end I don’t think John B O’Halloran had a save to make.
Abbeydorney bow out and Kilmoyley march on and with Paudie O’Connor due to return don’t count them out. Scroll down for photos…
Photo by Mike O’HalloranPhoto by Mike O’HalloranPhoto by Mike O’HalloranPhoto by Mike O’Halloran
Lixnaw 1-20
Causeway 0-13
Lixnaw cruised into the semifinal of the Garvey’s SuperValu Kerry County Hurling Championship with a pretty convincing defeat of Causeway.
I have tipped Causeway for the last couple of years to win the championship and this year they were on my short list again after their exploits in the first round.
Yesterday they were out-muscled out-thought and out-hurled by a ruthlessly efficient Lixnaw outfit.
Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Causeway aren’t out of the championship by any means, but in order to get to the final and win it they have to put in three winning performances in a row, consistency has been their enemy for the past few years.
Today they may attribute their defeat to the huge loss of Brandon Barrett early in the first half. There is no doubt he was a loss, but to win the championship you must be able to overcome every obstacle thrown at you.
Causeway were a goal down within minutes of the start when Jason Wallace pounced on a breaking ball and shook the net.
By the 22nd minute they were behind by six points 1-06 to 0-03, Causeway only added two more points before halftime while Lixnaw added two.
Shane Conway had seven points under his belt by the break, while Causeway had five different scorers in Brandon Barrett, BillyLyons, Dan Goggin, Paul McGrath and Keith Carmody.
Causeway were awarded a penalty with five minutes left in the first half but Keith Carmody struck it wide, a goal then might have lifted their spirits.
Causeway started with intent in the second half and added three points within six minutes.
A brilliant passage of play by Lixnaw showed the difference in the sides when on 38 minutes Martin Stackpoole saved at one end and within seconds Lixnaw worked the ball Jeremy McKenna who passed to Shane Conway at the other end and he made no mistake splitting the posts to leave the score Lixnaw 1-11 Causeway 0-08.
Causeway persisted in the long high ball into their forwards to little effect and their foul count mounted with Conway punishing all indiscretions.
Jeremy McKenna was a work horse for Lixnaw at midfield Darragh Shanahan was solid at number six and as usual John Griffin played his usual role of mopping up and tidying up.
Up front Ricky Heffernan worked hard and Jason Wallace finished with 1-03 to his credit, of course Shane Conway was, Shane Conway. It will be hard to dethrone the champions on this display.
Mike O’Halloran was at the two Kerry Senior Hurling Championship games in Austin Stack Park on Saturday…
Ballyduff 4-30
Ballyheigue 0-07
Action from the game. Photo by Dermot Crean
An easy win for Ballyduff in their game with Ballyheigue.
Ballyheigue battled away until the end, but the game was over after about 20 minutes when Ballyduff led by ten points to three.
Ballyduff went on to add 2-5 with Ballyheigue only managing one point to leave the halftime score Ballyduff 2-15 Ballyheigue 0-04.
Ballyduff rung the changes at halftime where they replaced three players, one of them being Daniel O’Carroll who was most impressive in the first half.
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One of the young men that came on was Eric Daly and he was a revelation showing great pace and confidence while scoring two points and setting up others for scores.
The top man for Ballyduff was Jack Goulding. Ballyduff have well and truly blown the cobwebs out of the system and their demolition of Ballyheigue shows that their well is overflowing again.
Ballyheigue to their credit battled to the end and must be given great credit for their efforts.
Their preparation was hampered somewhat and credit must be given to Michael Leane who did his best to keep the show on the road.
Ballyheigue must just hang in there for a couple of years as they have some serious talent on the way up.
Ballyduff: PJ O’Gorman, John Hussey, Anthony O’Carroll, Ally O’Connor, David Goulding (0-02), Eoin Ross (0-02), Padraig O’Grady, Michael Boyle, Paud Costello, Daniel O’Carroll, Liam Boyle(0-01),Paul O’Carroll(0-01) Padraig Boyle(1-08(0-04 from frees)), Aiden Boyle(2-03), Jack Goulding (1-10).
Replacements used, Jack O’Sullivan, Jason Bowler, Eric Daly (0-02), Kevin Bowler(0-01) Darren O’Connor.
Ballyheigue: John Mike Pierce, Darren Stack, Mark Dineen, Chris O’Mahony, Colin O’Mahony(C), Michael Leane, Mikey O’Halloran, Diarmuid Walsh(0-01), Gary Galloway(0-01), Philip Lucid(0-04), Brendan Walsh, Tomas Casey, Brian O’Riordan(0-01) Scroll down for photos…
.Ballyheigue threaten the Ballyduff goal. Photo by Dermot CreanEoin Ross passes the sliotar. Photo by Dermot CreanLetting fly. Photo by Dermot CreanBallyheigue player fail to stop a clearance. Photo by Dermot Crean
St Brendans 1-18
Crotta O’Neills 2-15 (after extra time)
HOW Crotta O’Neills must regret not coming out on top in this game, given that they were two points ahead with 55 minutes on the clock playing with the wind and having an extra man.
St Brendans will rue the fact that their shooting was poor, coughing up scoring chances from play and frees — I think they had 14 wides in ordinary time.
High-fielding action. Photo by Dermot Crean
Walking off the field after the game, I got the impression that St Brendans were the happier with the result.
St Brendans can thank Darren Delaney for their survival, Crotta O’Neills looked nervous in the first half with their first touch not as good as usual and of course they were without Barry O’Mahony for ten minutes due to being blood subbed.
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Crotta O’Neills looked nervous in the first half with their first touch, not as good as usual and of course they were without Barry O’Mahony for ten minutes due to being blood subbed.
Crotta came up against a physically strong and more experienced side who were much better able to manage the game and didn’t panic, they worked the ball out of defence to set up scores while Crotta were trying to force matters from distance.
Crotta also got two penalties, one of which was debatable. They depended on Jordan Conway up front and he was extremely busy, but he only managed two points such was the close attention he received from a resolute St Brendans rear guard.
In all, Crotta had only four different scorers, St Brendans on the other hand had ten separate men on the scoreboard with their bench contributing five points.
St Brendans have a way of pulling themselves out of tricky situations their escape yesterday will fill them full of confidence for the return bout.
Crotta will have to overcome this setback and I’m pretty sure that their young team will learn from the battle with a much more experienced team.
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All to play for in the replay, but I think St Brendans may shade it, with Crotta O’Neills still in with a chance to progress later.
St Brendans: Darren Delaney, Jerry Wallace(0-01), Stephen Leen, Fionan Horgan, Kevin Orpen(JC), Kevin Hannafin(JC)(0-01), Darren Dineen, Padraig Kearney, David Griffin, Cian Hussey(0-01), John Egan (0-08), Tom Moloney, Nathan O’Driscoll(1-00), Tim Hannafin(0-02), Brendan O’Connor,
Replacements used, Michael Davis(0-01), Kieran Fitzgerald(0-01), Seamus O’Halloran(0-02), Colm Healy(0-02)
Crotta O’Neills; Adam O’Sullivan, Adrian O’Mahony, Darragh Kennelly, Sean Weir(C), Eamonn Shanahan, Tomas O’Connor, Bill Keane, Donal Hunt(0-02), Barry O’Mahony(0-01), Richard Nolan, Jean McKenna, Shane Nolan(2-10,(2-06 from frees), Paudie Quille, Jordan Conway(0-02), Raymond Nolan.
Replacements used, Tom Blonde McElligott, Declan O’Donoghue, James Sheehan.
All the talk now is about when the replay will take place and what impact the re-fixture will have on the Kerry U20 game next Saturday. Scroll down for photos…
A fantastic catch. Photo by Dermot CreanAction from the game. Photo by Dermot Crean.Barry Mahony about to let fly. Photo by Dermot CreanTim Hannafin scores a free. Photo by Dermot CreanShane Nolan’s penalty on the way to the net. Photo by Dermot CreanAction from the game. Photo by Dermot CreanContesting a puckout. Photo by Dermot CreanAction from the game. Photo by Dermot CreanDarren Dineen lets fly. Photo by Dermot CreanAction from the game. Photo by Dermot CreanEamonn Shanahan breaks free. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mike O’Halloran watched the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry Senior Hurling Championship First Round replay between Crotta and Ballyduff at Austin Stack Park on Friday evening…
Crotta O’Neills 1-16
Ballyduff 0-10
The Crotta O’Neills team. Photo by Dermot Crean
A comprehensive and well deserved win for Crotta over Ballyduff last night at Austin Stack Park.
Crotta blitzed Ballyduff in the second half with a blend of great game management and top quality hurling that was superior to Ballyduff in all aspects.
The Ballyduff inside backs were in bother all night — even when playing with the wind — and were torn asunder by Jordan Conway.
Ballyduff led by a point at halftime seven points to six. The Ballyduff scores came from Padraig Boyle 0-03, Aiden Boyle, Jack Goulding, Michael Boyle and Eoin Ross 0-01 each.
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Crotta O’Neils had 0-05 from Shane Nolan and 0-01 from the stick of Jordan Conway.
Ballyduff were playing with a gale and relied on the option of the long ball into Aiden Boyle, a strategy that had very little return.
At the start of the second half, there was a discussion between the Ballyduff mentors and the referee as they crossed to the dug out, (I have no idea what that was about).
Shane Nolan put Crotta ahead with two pointed frees in a row, a lead they were never to relinquish. Shane added five more before the end, with man of the match Jordan Conway adding three.
But it was Declan O’Donoghue who well and truly buried the Ballyduff challenge when he drove through with great determination to slam the ball to the net.
The Ballyduff team. Photo by Dermot Crean
Take nothing from the Crotta win, they were excellent and with Barry O’Mahony back and more hurling under his belt in the next few weeks without the distraction of the big ball, they will be a match for any club in the competition.
As for Ballyduff, they seem to have gone back to the well once too often, not only to find that the well is nearly dry, but that their bucket is also leaking.
It’s hard to see them being involved at the business end of the championship, except for a huge improvement in performance and game management.
AFTER a hectic first weekend of games in the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry Senior Hurling Championship, the draw for the next round of matches was made this afternoon live on Radio Kerry.
In the Round 2 (winners), St Brendans will take on the winners of the Ballyduff/Crotta replay, while Lixnaw will face Causeway.
In the Round 2 (losers), Kilmoyley will play Abbeydorney, while Ballyheigue will take on the losers of the Ballyduff/Crotta replay.
The fixtures will take place on the weekend of July 27/28, while the Ballyduff v Crotta replay is fixed for Friday, July 19 at 7pm in Austin Stack Park.
Mike O’Halloran looks back on the weekend’s hurling action and what it could mean for the rest of the Kerry Senior Hurling Championship…
IN round one of the Garvey’s SuperValu Kerry Senior Hurling Championship, Ballyduff pulled off a draw (1-20 each) against Crotta when it looked like Crotta were going to have a runaway victory.
I thought that the games were to finish on the day with extra time and 65s, can anybody enlighten me if this was the plan?
In the other game on Sunday, Kilmoyley were at the receiving end of a rampant Causeway, 0-20 t0 0-11.
Everybody (including myself) have been saying for the past few years that Causeway will win the championship and after yesterday’s display they must be in the mix to at least to reach the final, if they can avoid Lixnaw who were also convincing winners over Ballyheigue with nine different scorers and Michael Conway still to return from injury.
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The tough drawn game with Crotta will stand to Ballyduff and they can’t be ruled out later in the competition and they can build from todays scare.
Abbeydorney were pipped on Saturday evening by a St Brendans team who looked at sixes and sevens for large parts of the game until they introduced Kieran Fitzgearld and Seamus O’Halloran, Seamus scored three points and Kieran was very influential at the edge of the square.
Abbeydorney must be scratching their heads as to how they let the lead slip, they were guilty of poor shooting coming down the stretch but they haven’t gone away either.
If Crotta can defeat Ballyduff in the replay that will give them real confidence to progress, perhaps to the final, utilising their pool of young talent from minor success.
People will say that Ballyheigue will probably struggle in the next round as they rebuild for the future and await the produce from their great work at underage.
But you never know what might happen with Diarmuid Walsh due to return for the next game, maybe they might gain a scalp of an over confident opposition.
There is great credit due to them they remain resilient in spite of the challenges they are facing these days.
Kilmoyley will have to regroup for the losers round, but their task is made more difficult with the loss of Paudie O’Connor, Paudie had just returned from injury and carried a lot of hope on his shoulders.
I’m pretty sure yesterday’s loss will focus their minds on preparation for the next round. Still all to play for.
Mike O’Halloran was in Mullingar on Saturday to witness a gutsy Kerry defeat Westmeath in the Joe McDonagh Cup Round 2 game…
Kerry 1-21
Westmeath 2-16
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
What a day in Mullingar! Kerry banished the ghost of the defeat to Antrim with a brilliant win over Westmeath in their home ground.
The margin at the end was only two points, but the margin could have been a lot more such was the Kerry dominance, especially in the second half.
Kerry set out their stall early on with huge commitment to every tackle and tussle and massive aggression.
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Paddy Kelly up front laid down a marker early on, while at the back Michael Boyle marshalled the Kerry defence and led by example.
Michael O’Leary was also putting his big frame to use, catching some great ball and driving at the Westmeath defence.
Thirteen minutes into the game Westmeath were ahead by three points after the excellent Killian Doyle slotted over a sideline cut, five points to three at this stage.
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Almost immediately after that Padraig Boyle has a shot smothered that should have resulted in a goal. Then came a purple patch from Kerry with points from Conway three Colum Harty and Patrick Kelly one each.
At halftime it was eight points all, with Killian Doyle scoring two points in a row.
Within minutes of the restart, Westmeath were ahead by a goal from replacement Alan Devine after John Brendan O’Halloran had made a good save.
Shortly after Jordan Conway replaced Patrick Kelly and what a substitution that was, he ended up scoring three points.
Twelve minutes into the second half the Westmeath lead was again out to a goal 1-11 to 0-11, the two Conways drew Kerry level and on 21 minutes Jordan had Kerry ahead.
On 26 minutes, the sides were level again after Westmeath forced another goal. Colum Harty put Kerry back in front with a superb goal created for him by Michael Slattery who had replaced Dan Goggin.
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Kerry lost Tomas O’Connor to a second yellow after that, but it did not dent their resolve even though Westmeath had the next three scores to to draw level 1-17 to 2-14. Westmeath added two more but Kerry tagged on four to win by two.
Shane Conway scored thirteen points from placed balls but his contribution in open play was absolutely magical, one of his best passages of play was early in the second half when he tormented three or four Westmeath defenders to present Michael O’Leary with a point opportunity.
Such a pity only ten Kerry supporters showed up to see this exhibition of true grit and skill.
Kerry Team and scorers
1. John Brendan O’Halloran 2. James O’Connor(0-01)
3. Bryan Murphy 4. Seán Weir 5. Evan Murphy
6. Patrick Kelly(0-01) (Jordan Conway)(0-03)
7. Daniel Collins 8. Dan Goggin (Michael Slattery)
9. Tomás O’Connor 10. Michael O’Leary(0-01)
11. Shane Conway(0-13, 7 frees, 2,65s )
12. Jack Goulding 13. Padraig Boyle(0-01)
14. Michael Boyle 15. Colum Harty(1-01)
Mike O’Halloran was in London to see Kerry record a facile win against the home side in the Allianz National League Division 2A game…
Kerry 3-27
London 1-11
An easy enough win for Kerry in Ruislip where they overcame London by 22 points.
Sean Weir captained the side, Jason Diggins replaced Michael Boyle from the beginning and Kerry were in total control from fifteen minutes in after Jack Goulding found the net from a Michael O’Leary pass.
A minute later Jack won a penalty for Padraig Boyle to convert, that left the score Kerry 2-05 London 0-02.
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The scores kept coming to leave the halftime score Kerry 2-13 London 0-06, two standout scores of the half were long range points from Brandon Barrett.
Young Dan Goggin bagged a goal and a point eleven minutes into the second half, Jack Goulding took over the free taking when Padraig Boyle was replaced.
Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Kevin Reid recieved a second yellow to reduce London to 14 men halfway through the half. With five minutes to go London bagged a goal from Conor Allis but it was only cosmetic as Kerry had 3-24 in the bag by then.
Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Kerry: John B O’Halloran, Sean Weir (cpt) Bryan Murphy, Eric Leen (Joe McElligott) James O’Connor (John Buckley), Jason Diggins, Tomas O’Connor, Daniel Collins(Niall O’Mahony), Brandon Barrett, Padraig Boyle (Colum Harty),David Griffin,(Evan Murphy) Michael O’Leary, Dan Goggin, Jordan Conway, Jack Goulding.
Amanda O’Donnell, Sean O’Donnell Power and Jack Banner, Kerry fans with Lixnaw connections at the game on Saturday. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Kerry scorers: Padraig Boyle, 1-06 Jack Goulding 1-06, Dan Collins/Jordan Conway 0-01 each, David Griffin 0-04, Michael O’Leary 0-04, Brandon Barrett/Bryan Murphy 0-02 each, Dan Goggin 1-01.
Mary O’Callaghan, Rhyana Moriarty, William Tiernan at the game. Photo by Mike O’HalloranPhoto by Mike O’Halloran
Mike O’Halloran was in Austin Stack Park to see Kerry beat Mayo convincingly this afternoon…
Kerry 3-18
Mayo 0-9
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
A PRETTY easy win for a much changed Kerry hurling team over Mayo in Tralee in this Division 2A league game.
Kerry lined out without their scorer-in-chief Shane Conway and ended up with eight different scorers.
Mayo were outplayed in every sector of the game. Physically Kerry were too strong for them were more skilful, more focussed and were able to secure the ball easier.
The Mayo captain and midfielder Cathal Freeman tried his level best to make something happen for Mayo but they just could not master the Kerry defence.
Mayo had only one game played in the league as their game against London was postponed due to a frozen pitch and they looked like a team that had little match practice.
Continued below…
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Kerry led by four points within four minutes from Daniel O’Carroll, Jordan Conway, Brandon Barrett and Padraig Boyle before David Kenny opened Mayo’s account.
Sean Boland and Sean Regan added one each to complete the Mayo tally for the first half. Meanwhile, Kerry added two goals and eight points, the goals coming from the Ballyduff duo of Daniel O’Carroll and Jack Goulding, halftime score Kerry 2-12 Mayo 0-03.
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Padraig Boyle opened the second half with a pointed free, Mayo replied with three points in a row from Shane Boland with two and a sixty five from Cathal Freeman.
Kerry led 2-16 to 0-07 when Michael Slattery sent over a beauty without catching the ball, Michael was most impressive up front al day prior to being replaced by young Gavin Dooley.
Two more points followed one each from Padraig Boyle and one from his cousin Daniel O’Carroll, in-between Daniel Collins found the net to leave the final score Kerry 3-18 Mayo 0-09.
Action from the game. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Kerry: John B O’Halloran, James O’Connor, Bryan Murphy, Sean Weir, Paud Costello (Evan Murphy), Jason Diggings, Niall O’Mahony, Daniel Collins(1-0), Brandon Barrett (0-01), Padraig Boyle (0-09)Jack Goulding(1-0) (Tomas O’Connor), Daniel O’Carroll (1-02) Jordan Conway (0-01)(#22), Michael Boyle (0-01)(Dan Goggin), Michael Slattery (0-04)(Gavin Dooley)
The Kerry panel. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
Mayo Scorers: Shane Boland (0-06) David Kenny, Sean Regan and Cathal Freeman one point each.
Mike O’Halloran reflects on how Kerry lost against Westmeath on Sunday in Austin Stack Park…
Kerry 2-17
Westmeath 4-13
The Kerry panel before the game against Westmeath. Photo by Mike O’Halloran
With 52 minutes on the clock Kerry were six points ahead and looking like they would gather another two points from the lakesiders.
They led on a scoreline of Kerry 1-14 to 1-08, but three goals scuppered that result.
Kerry had opened brightly with David Griffin pointing within two minutes, Darragh Clinton replied for Westmeath.
Five minutes later, Michael Boyle, who was operating at full forward, pulled a ball from the sky, he was fouled and the resultant penalty was struck off the post by his brother Padraig.
Continued below…
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Padraig was on target with a shot for a point, Robbie Greville was also on target for Westmeath, Alan Devine put Westmeath ahead by one but then Jordan Conway won a free for Shane Conway to convert.
Padraig Boyle and Shane Conway added one each before Niall Mitchell reduced the margin to one point.
One of the points of the game came from Jack Goulding on 26 minutes when ran onto a ball he lifted it in a flash and drove it over on the turn.
Jack had another beauty four minutes earlier, followed by one from Shane Conway while Alan Devine and Niall Mitchell had a point each for Westmeath.
On 27 minutes Michael Boyle had a kicked effort saved, but an advantage from the play allowed Shane Conway to point a free.
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Kerry added two more points before halftime, one from a free and one from Michael O’Leary. At the end of the half, Westmeath managed to manufacture a goal which gave them hope for the second half leaving the halftime score Kerry 0-11 Westmeath 1-06.
At the start of the second half Shane Conway and Killian Doyle swapped points. Brandon Barrett replaced David Griffin before Niall Mitchell pointed for Westmeath.
Two minutes later, Padraig Boyle slapped the ball in towards Michael, he duly grabbed it and smashed it low to the net, 1-12 to 0-08 at this stage.
An injury to Brandon Barrett saw Michael Leane replace him, two more points were added to the Kerry total by Padraig Boyle and Shane Conway putting Kerry six points up.
On 56 minutes Martin Stackpoole got his hurley to Shane McGovern’s shot but it ended up in the net and so began the Westmeath comeback.
Niall Mitchell and Shane Conway exchanged points before Cormac Boyle batted the ball to the net to level matters.
Shane Conway and Paul Greville kept the scoreboard at stalemate on 1-16 to 3-10, but Paul’s brother Robbie put Westmeath ahead when he lobbed Martin Stackpoole who was off his line and Niall Mitchell added another point to leave the score at 65 minutes, Kerry 1-16 Westmeath 4-11.
Michael O’Leary, who worked his socks off all day, won a free for Shane Conway to drive over another point.
Michael Boyle almost found the net with a low drive from distance, Padraig followed up the shot and put pressure on Paddy Carroll in the Westmeath goal but Paddy got his clearance away.
Kerry did manage a goal on 74 minutes when Michael Slattery shot was parried Shane Conway got on the end of it and forced it over the line. Shane was injured in the process but played on.
Westmeath added two more points before the end from Killian Doyle and Cormac Doyle. Kerry will rue the missed penalty and their failure to convert their goal scoring chances along with their concession at the other end.
IT’S been a good week for Lixnaw’s Shane Conway.
Mike O’Halloran looks back on the weekend’s hurling action and what it could mean for the rest of the Kerry Senior Hurling Championship…
