Tag Archives: Kerry Senior Hurling Championship

GAA, Sport

PHOTOS: Ballyduff Advance After Beating Crotta In Extra Time

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Mike O’Halloran reports on an exciting Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SFC clash between Ballyduff and Crotta O’Neill’s in Lixnaw last night…

Ballyduff's Giles O'Grady gets past Crotta's Jordan Conway in the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Ballyduff’s Giles O’Grady gets past Crotta’s Jordan Conway in the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

Ballyduff 2-20

Crotta O’Neill’s 1-17

Crotta have played nearly four hours of hurling in the 2015 championship between draws, extra time and added time. Tonight again, in Lixnaw, they lost out in extra time to Ballyduff.

I said in my preview of this game that I expected Crotta to win. They had a golden chance to win the game in normal time when they were presented with a free about 45 metres out from the Ballyduff goal. Up stepped the great Shane Nolan and every house in the Kilflynn area was put on him to convert the free, but he was just wide.

Continued below…

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I had also warned in the preview that a wounded Ballyduff was a dangerous animal and they played with the ferocity of a wild beast to try to quell the threat of this Crotta team.

I felt that if Crotta could supplement Shane Nolan’s scores and could use the talents of Jordan Conway they could win. Crotta did both. Jordan was awesome early on in the game driving at Ballyduff at every opportunity.

Crotta's Shane Nolan advances on goal the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Crotta’s Shane Nolan advances on goal the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

Within a minute of the start Jordan Conway had a beautiful point. Michael Boyle replied for Ballyduff but by the sixth minute, Crotta had four points on the board – three from Shane Nolan.

A minute later Michael Boyle had one back for Ballyduff. Adrian O’Mahony, Shane and Ian McCarthy made it 0-7 to 0-2.

Continued below…

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Bobby O’Sullivan and young Eoin Ross added two in reply before Philip Twomey drove over a beauty. Bobby added three more before the break with Jordan Conway having one for Crotta. Crotta went in at halftime 0-9 to 0-7 up.

Action from the Ballyduff v Crotta match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Action from the Ballyduff v Crotta match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

Ballyduff had the wind at their back for the second half and the talk was that a two point lead mightn’t be enough to withstand the Ballyduff challenge.

Within 30 seconds of the restart, Garry O’Brien had flashed over a point. By the 13th minute of the half, Ballyduff led by 1-11 to 0-11 after the ball ended up in the Crotta net through a forest of players.

But on 20 minutes, Shane Nolan struck for goal when the ball came off the post to him. It was nip and tuck to the end of normal time with points being traded between Bobby O’Sullivan, Barry O’Grady, Shane Nolan, Jordan Conway and Adrian O’Mahony.

Ballyduff's Bobby O'Sullivan and Crotta's Adrian O'Mahony in action during the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Ballyduff’s Bobby O’Sullivan and Crotta’s Adrian O’Mahony in action during the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

It was 1-15 to 1-15 on 32 minutes when Crotta worked hard to to win the free that could have won it. But alas for Crotta, the great man (Nolan) was wide and so to extra time.

Garry O’Brien, who had rolled back the years with his display, struck for a goal for Ballyduff. Shane Nolan had a point in each half of extra time for Crotta but O’Brien added another point as did Tomas Rourke, Bobby O’Sullivan had three points to see Ballyduff run out winners in a great contest played in a sporting manner.

Final score 2-20 t0 1-17.

Action from the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Action from the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

Crotta must wait another year for success in the championship. That success is not far away with the talent they have in the pipeline.

Ballyduff will now play Abbeydorney in the next round in a double header on August 16, with St Brendan’s taking on Causeway on the same day.

Lixnaw and Kilmoyley are already through to the semi-finals.

Scroll down for more photos plus teams and scorers

Some of the crowd watching the action at the the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Some of the crowd watching the action at the the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor

Teams

Ballyduff: Joe Bunyan, Cathal Kearney, Anthony Carroll, John Hussey, Barry O Grady,(1pt)( Jack Goulding) Padraigh Grady, David Grady, Daniel O Carroll, Giles O Grady,(1pt) Liam Boyle, Aiden Boyle, (1pt) Bobby O Sullivan, (11 pts) Michael Boyle (cpt) (2pts) Gary O Brien (1gl 2Pts) Eoin Ross.(1pt) (Tomas Rourke 1pt)

Crotta O’Neill’s: Richard Nolan Cpt, Darren Twomey, Cyril Lynch, Tom Cronin, Darragh Ryan, Sean Weir, Adrian O Mahony 2pts, Tom B McElligott, Jack Twomey, Ian McCarthy 1pt, Philip Twomey 1pt, Paudie Quille, Shane Nolan 1gl 10 pts, Jordan Conway 3 pts, Mike Lynch
Jordan Conway of Crotta chased by Giles O'Grady the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Jordan Conway of Crotta chased by Giles O’Grady the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Ballyduff's Bobby O'Sullivan launches a shot during the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Ballyduff’s Bobby O’Sullivan launches a shot during the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Action from the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Action from the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Action from the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Action from the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
Action from the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O'Connor
Action from the match on Tuesday night. Photo by Gavin O’Connor
GAA, Sport

HURLING: Kilmoyley Easily Get The Better Of Abbeydorney

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Mike O’Halloran was in Ballyduff yesterday to see Kilmoyley play Abbeydorney in the Garvey’s Supervalu Kerry SHC clash…

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Action from the Kilmoyley v Abbeydorney match in Ballyduff on Monday night. Photo by Mike O’Halloran

Kilmoyley 2-10

Abbeydorney 0-6

Kilmoyley had a very facile victory over a very poor outfit from Abbeydorney in the wind and rain in Ballyduff.

Kilmoyley played with a significant wind in the first half and were 1-2 to 0-0 up on nine minutes when Sean Maunsell pointed on two minutes, Rob Collins four minutes later, then Sean Young doubled on a ball in the air and goaled.

Continued below…

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It took Abbeydorney 11 minutes to get beyond the Kilmoyley 20 metre line and had no answer to the power and organisation of this Kilmoyley outfit. Abbeydorney never looked like scoring and were to finish the first half with no score on the board.

On 15 minutes, Sean Young had another goal when he touched another ball in the air and it ended up in the net.

Daniel Collins who operated at corner forward had four more points before halftime, Jordan Brick added one as did Robert Collins to leave the halftime score Kilmoyley 2-8 Abbeydorney 0-0.

Things did not improve much for Abbeydorney in the second half, even though they had the wind. They insisted on pumping high ball into their forwards, the only problem was that all the balls were over hit and gave their forwards no chance, they struck eleven wides in the first 24 minutes of the second half.

Kilmoyley Abbeydorney 1
Action from the Kilmoyley v Abbeydorney match in Ballyduff on Monday night. Photo by Mike O’Halloran

It took Abbeydorney 16 minutes to get their first score when PJ Keane tapped over a point from a free. Daniel Collins had already scored a point for Kilmoyley in the fourth minute of the second half.

Collins then added another before Ivan McCarthy pointed three frees, in between them young Ronan Donovan had a point and the final score of the game from David Egan to leave the score Kilmoyley 2-10 Abbeydorney 0-6.

Abbeydorney are still in the championship and will hope that they can get back to winning ways if they can rediscover the form that saw them beat St Brendan’s.

Teams

Kilmoyley; Aiden McCabe, Deanie Murnane, Sean Dowling, John Godley, Flor McCarthy, Dougie Fitzell, Tom Murnane, Jordan Brick (1pt) (Maurice O Connor), Conor Fitzell, James McCarthy, Sean Maunsell(1pt), Bobert Collins (2pts) (Tommy Maunsell), Sean Young (2gls) (Luke FItzell) Adrian Royle (Micheal Regan), Daniel Collins (2pts) (Kieran McCarthy).

Abbeydorney; Nigel Roche, Niall O Connell, Aiden Healy (cpt) Mike Hannafin (Kieran O Connell), Ronan Donovan (1pt) Kieran Dineen, Brian O Leary, Daniel O Mahony (Ivan McCarthy), Alex O Mahony, James O Connor (Damien Ryall), Darragh O Brien (Kieran Hannafin), P J Keane, Stevie O Sullivan, David Egan.

GAA, Sport

PHOTOS: St Brendan’s Get Past Ballyheigue In Gruelling Affair

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Ardfert's, Darren Dineen, races at the Ballyheigue defence. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
St Brendan’s Darren Dineen races at the Ballyheigue defence. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

St Brendans 0-10

Ballyheigue 0-9

AS has happened so often in the past, John Egan, was the hero for St Brendan’s as they just about got over Ballyheigue in a gruelling encounter in  Causeway on Sunday afternoon.

With his team trailing by a point and playing against a stiff breeze, Egan hit over two points in a row inside the last five minutes to put his side in the quarter-final draw and Ballyheigue out of the championship.

Though the pitch and set-up in Causeway was top class for the second match of a Senior Hurling County Championship double header, the weather was anything but.

Continued below…

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For the entirety of the game, a strong wind blew into the changing room goals of the match. In the first half St Brendan’s, had the benefit of the breeze, but did not make the most of it.

With the sides level, three points apiece, Ballyheigue conjured up a terrific goal chance. When the ball landed in the St Brendan’s square, three different Ballyheigue players had a chance to hit the ball to the net, but their attempts were deflected out eventually for a 65.

Story continues below…

St Brendans, Fionan Mackessy, attempts to control the sliotar. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
St Brendan’s Fionan Mackessy, attempts to control the sliotar. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

The Ardfert side hit eight wides in the first half and only went in at the break a point in front which put them on shaky ground, the score 0-4 to 0-5.

Ballyhegue got off to a great start to the half when, Philip Lucid, pointed from a free to bring the sides level. But this score was answered by three points without reply from St Brendan’s John Egan frees.

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Lucid  found his rhythm again however and hit three of his own and the sides were level once more going into the final quarter of the match.

With ten minutes left, Ballyheigue midfielder, Tommy O’Connor, scored an inspiring point from out on the the sideline, utilisng some excellent stick work to control the ball and nail a point.

That would be their final score as St Brendan’s, with the aid of Darren Dineen, who started to dominate the game were the team in control.

Story continues below…

Ballyheigue's, Paudie Carroll, attempts to hook, St Brendan's, Fionan Mackessy. Photo by Gvain O'Connor.
Ballyheigue’s, Paudie Carroll, attempts to hook St Brendan’s Fionan Mackessy. Photo by Gvain O’Connor.

With five minutes left on the clock, John Egan struck the equaliser as he raced through the heart of the Ballyhegue defence. Minutes later he would grab the winner, when he cooly converted another free, his fifth of the day.

In the closing exchanges, Ballyheigue, couldn’t create a scoring opportunity as their championship ambitions faded in the wind and rain of Causeway.

The win puts St Brendan’s into the quarter-final draw, where they will feel they have much to improve if they are to get to the promised land once more.

More photos below…

Scorers

St Brendan’s: John Egan 0-7, Tim Hannafin, Kieran Fitzgearld and Kevin Skinner one point apiece

Ballyheigue: Philip Lucid 0-7 (7), Damian Casey and Tommy O’Connor one point apiece

St Brendan’s: Darren Delaney (capt), Rory Horgan, Jerry Wallace, Kieran Fitzgearld, Eamon Corridan, Darren Dineen, Kevin Orpin, Fionan Horgan, Eric Leen, David Griffin, Kevin Skinner, Stephen Leen, Fionan Mackessy, Tim Hannafin, John Egan

Substitutions: Conor Flaherty for Fionan Horgan (54), Jack Savage for Jerry Wallace (54), Brendan O’Connor for Daniel Finnegan (57)

Ballyheigue: John Mike Pierce, Danny Casey, Jason Casey, Mark Dineen, Colin O’Mahoney, Mikey O’Halloran, Jason Griffin, Paudie Carroll, Tommy O’Connor, Shane Dunne, Damian Casey, Philip Lucid, Adrian Flahive, Tomas Casey, Michael Leane

Substitutions: Diarmuid Walsh for Michael Leane (46), Mark Regan for Adrian Flahive (52)

Referee: Diarmuid Kirwin (Cork)

St Brendan's, Fionan Mackessy, attempts to break the tackle. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
St Brendan’s Fionan Mackessy attempts to break the tackle. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
St Brendans's Darren Dineen, on the move. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.
St Brendan’s Darren Dineen on the move. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
GAA, Sport

PHOTOS: Abbeydorney Shock St Brendan’s With Second Half Masterclass

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Abbeydorney 1-17

St Brendan’s 2-10

ABBEYDORNEY upset the odds with an awesome second half display to beat fancied St Brendan’s on Sunday afternoon.

A period in the second half where Abbeydorney scored 1-6 without reply sealed the Ardfert side’s fate in this Senior Hurling County Championship first round match in Causeway.

Story continued below…

Abbeydorney's, David Egan, heads for goal with St Brendan's, Daniel Finnegan, looking on. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Abbeydorney’s David Egan heads for goal with St Brendan’s Daniel Finnegan looking on. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Ardfert were flattered by the four point margin, a goal in third minute of added time by David Griffin, put a bit more respectability on the scoreboard for the 2013 champions.

In the early exchanges in this second game of a double header at a sun drenched Causeway – which looked immaculate from top to bottom – it was St Brendan’s who came out of the traps flying.

After just three minutes they hit 1-1, the goal coming from Tim Hannafin who linked up well with John Egan who was loitering with intent and looking dangerous.

Story continued below…

Ardfert's, David Griffin, breaks ahead of the Abbeydorney defence. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Ardfert’s David Griffin breaks ahead of the Abbeydorney defence. Photo by Dermot Crean.

Abbeydorney, showed resolve however and battled back into the game though their play was marred by a number of wides and missed goal opportunities.

The first half ended with St Brendan’s leading by four points, 1-6 to 0-5. The second period of the game opened with both sides exchanging scores, but it wouldn’t be long before the dam broke and Abbeydorney unleashed a 10 minute spell of scoring which St Brendan’s had no answer.

Abbeydorney, knocked over 1-6 without reply going from three points down to six points up. At this stage, John Egan’s ability to influence the game was non existent.

A packed goalmouth for Abbeydorney v St Brendans. Photo by Dermot Crean.
A packed goalmouth for Abbeydorney v St Brendans. Photo by Dermot Crean.

St Brendan’s attempted to hit back and brought the game to within three points, but Abbeydorney showed resolve once more and hit back with three scores in a row putting them six points up with a minute remaining, the pick of the bunch being two fantastic solo points by David Egan who was ripping through the Ardfert defence.

St Brendan’s would get a consolation goal in added  from David Griffin, but the day belonged to Abbeydorney and the underdog.

More photos below

Abbeydorney: PJ Keane 0-9 (5f), Eoin Egan 1-0, David Egan 0-2, Brian O’Leary 0-2, Daniel O’Leary 0-2, Kieran Dineen and Ivan McCarthy 0-1

St Brendans: David Griffin 1-2, John Egan 0-5 (5f), Tim Hannafin 1-0, Eric Leen, Eamonn Corridon and Kevin Orpin a point apiece

Teams 

Abbeydorney: Nigel Roche, Alex O’Mahony, Aidan Healy, Michael Hannafin, Niall O’Connor, Kieran Dineen, Brian O’Leary, David O’Mahony, Stephen O’Connor, James O’Connor, Darragh O’Brien, PJ Keane, Stevie O’Sullivan, Eoin Egan, David Egan

Substitutes: Ivan McCarthy for Brian O’Leary (16), Kieran Hannafin for Darragh O’Brien (Half Time), Daniel O’Leary for Stevie O’Sullivan (Half Time)

St Brendans: Darren Delaney, Rory Horgan, Jerry Wallace, Daniel Finnegan, Eamon Corridon, Darren Dineen, Kevin Orpin, Fionan Horgan, Denis Moriarty, David Griffin, Kevin Skinner, Stephen Leen, Fionan Maskessy, Tim Hannafin, John Egan

Substitutes: Eric Leen for Kevin Orpin (39),  Conor Flaherty for Daniel Finnegan (53), Jack Savage for Denis Moriarty (53)

Tim Hannafin nets, St Brendan's, early goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Tim Hannafin nets St Brendan’s early goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.
St Brendans, Stephen Leen and Abbeydorney's, Darragh O'Brien, contest a puck out. Photo by Dermot Crean.
St Brendan’s Stephen Leen and Abbeydorney’s,Darragh O’Brien contest a puck out. Photo by Dermot Crean.
St Brendans, Darren Dineen, solos out with the ball. Photo by Dermot Crean.
St Brendan’s Darren Dineen solos out with the ball. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Abbeydorney's, Kieran Dineen, clears a ball while St Brendans Fionan Horgan tries to get a block in. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Abbeydorney’s Kieran Dineen, clears a ball while St Brendan’s Fionan Horgan tries to get a block in. Photo by Dermot Crean.
St Brendan's, Alex O'Mahony, puts pressure on Abbeydorney's, Stevie O'Sullivan. Photo by Dermot Crean.
St Brendan’s, Alex O’Mahony, puts pressure on Abbeydorney’s, Stevie O’Sullivan. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from Abbeydorney v St Brendans. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from Abbeydorney v St Brendans. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Almost every vantage point was taken up in Causeway. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Almost every vantage point was taken up in Causeway. Photo by Dermot Crean.
The Senior Hurling County Championship is always a great social outing. Photo by Dermot Crean.
The Senior Hurling County Championship is always a great social outing. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Fans enjoying the atmosphere in Causeway on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Fans enjoying the atmosphere in Causeway on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Supporters were treated to some fine weather and as equally fine hurling in Causeway on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Supporters were treated to some fine weather and equally fine hurling in Causeway on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean.
GAA, Sport

PHOTOS: Shane Nolan Stars In Thrilling Crotta v Kilmoyley Draw

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Crotta O’Neill’s 1-17

Kilmoyley 1-17

CROTTA O’Neills and Kilmoyley will have to go again in the first round of the County Senior Hurling Championship after extra-time couldn’t separate the sides on Sunday afternoon in Causeway.

They’ll now have to do it all over again next Sunday, July 26 at the same time of 1.30pm in Causeway.

Kerry star, Shane Nolan, shot the lights out nailing 1-11 in a match where Crotta led by eight points at half time, but due to some vital substitutions made during half time, Kilmoyley, clawed their way back into contention.

Story continued below..

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Crotta's, star man, Shane Nolan, reacts to one of his scores. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Crotta’s, star man, Shane Nolan, reacts to one of his scores. Photo by Dermot Crean.

It was the underdogs Crotta who performed much better in the early stages, well on top around midfield they were providing their forward line with plenty of ball.

Shane Nolan would eventually hit 1-11, but during the opening quarter it was Philip Twomey and Paudie Quille who were making the dent in the scoreboard for Crotta.

Crotta’s, dominance was rewarded on 22 minutes, when Shane Nolan hit the net for the first goal of the match. Catching the Kilmoyley defence sleeping, he hammered home a 21 yard free to the net before the defenders had time to line up on the goal.

Kilmoyley responded with a free from captain Sean Maunsell, the last three scores of the half were rattled off by Shane Nolan giving Crotta an eight point lead at the break.

Story continued below..

Some high fielding from, Kilmoyley v Crotta O'Neils. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Some high fielding from, Kilmoyley v Crotta O’Neils. Photo by Dermot Crean.

The introduction of Daniel Collins and Adrian Royle to the forwards for Kilmoyley made all the difference, in the second half. They laid down a marker scoring the first four points of the half to claw them within touching distance of Crotta.

When Adrian Royle hammered home Kilmoyley’s goal, on 38 minutes, they were now within three points and it was game on.

The sides exchanged scores for the remainder of the half, either set of players not wilting in the summer heat. It looked as though Kilmoyley had snatched it with two minutes to go when Sean Maunsell, put them ahead for the first time in the match, but Shane Nolan had another say on that matter and hit an equalizing free to send the game into extra-time.

Both Crotta and Kilmoyley, get set for the beginning of extra-time. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kilmoyley celebrate a score in the second half of the match. Photo by Dermot Crean.

The first period of extra-time was low scoring, with both sides still inseparable knocking over a point apiece in ten minutes. The second half however sprang into life and it was that man Nolan who took the initiative, firing over the first two scores from play.

Kilmoyley then hit three on the bounce, two from Collins and one from Tom Murnane. It looked like Kilmoyley were about to do it, but Nolan hit back again with two minutes remaining to drawn the sides level once more.

So a draw a fair result, both sides given their travelling support much to cheer about and enjoy.

More photos below…

Scorers 

Crotta O’Neills: Shane Nolan 1-11 (7f), Philip Twomey 0-2, Paudie Quille 0-2, Ian McCarthy and Jack Twomey a point apiece

Kilmoyley: Daniel Collins 0-5 (2f), Sean Maunsell 0-5 (3f), Adrian Royle (1-0), Tom Murnane 0-3 (3f), Jordan Brick 0-2, Robert Collins and Michael O’Regan a point apiece

Teams

Crotta O’Neills: Richard Nolan (Capt), Darren Twomey, Cyril Lynch, Tom Cronin, Darragh Ryan, Sean Weir, Adrian O’Mahony, Tomas O’Connor, Jack Twomey, Ian McCarthy, Philip Twomey, Paidie Quille, Shane Nolan, Jordan Conway, David Behan

Substitutes

Tom (B) McElligott for Darragh Ryan (half time), Tom McElligott for David Behan (Half Time)

Kilmoyley: Aiden McCabe, Seanie Murnane, Sean Dowling, Sean Nolan, Flor McCarthy, Dougie Fitzell, Tom Murnane, Jordan Brick, Luke Fitzell, Ian Brick, Sean Maunsell (Capt), Robert Collins, Michael O’Regan, Kieran McCarthy, Tommy Maunsell

Substitutes

James McCarthy for Luke Fitzell (Half Time), Adrian Royle for Kieran McCarthy (Half Time), Daniel Collins for Tommy Maunsell, Maurice Murnane for Robert Collins (Extra Time) Shaun Young for Ian Brick (Extra Time)

Kilmoyley's, Sean Maunsell, gets a shot on goal. Photo by Dermot Crean..
Kilmoyley’s Sean Maunsell, gets a shot on goal. Photo by Dermot Crean..
Kilmoyley's Sean Maunsell, is tackled by Crotta's, Darren Twomey. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kilmoyley’s Sean Maunsell, is tackled by Crotta’s Darren Twomey. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from Crotta O'Neils v Kilmoyley. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from Crotta O’Neils v Kilmoyley. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from Crotta O'Neils v Kilmoyley. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from Crotta O’Neills v Kilmoyley. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Crotta's, Jordan Conway, heads straight for goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Crotta’s Jordan Conway heads straight for goal. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Crotta's, Sean Weir, attempts a hook on Kilmoyley's, Ian Brick. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Crotta’s,Sean Weir attempts a hook on Kilmoyley’s Ian Brick. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from, Crotta O'Neils v Kilmoyley. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from,Crotta O’Neills v Kilmoyley. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from Crotta O'Neils v Kilmoyley. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from Crotta O’Neills v Kilmoyley. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kilmoyley's, Darren Twomey, comes under pressure from Crotta's, Tomas O'Connor and Shane Nolan. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kilmoyley’s Darren Twomey comes under pressure from Crotta’s, Tomas O’Connor and Shane Nolan. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from Kilmoyley v Crotta O'Neils. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from Kilmoyley v Crotta O’Neills. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from Crotta O'Neils v Kilmoyley. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Action from Crotta O’Neills v Kilmoyley. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kilmoyley's, Jordan Brick, rises high for the sliotar. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kilmoyley’s Jordan Brick rises high for the sliotar. Photo by Dermot Crean.
There was no quarter asked or given when the match was in the melting pot.. Photo by Dermot Crean.
There was no quarter asked or given when the match was in the melting pot.. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Crotta O'Neils, Shane Nolan, shoots for goal with Kilmoyley's, Ian Brick, attempting a block. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Crotta O’Neills Shane Nolan, shoots for goal with Kilmoyley’s Ian Brick, attempting a block. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Crotta O'Neil's, Shane Nolan on the ball. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Crotta O’Neill’s, Shane Nolan on the ball. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kilmoyley's, Sean Maunsell and Crotta's Sean Weir battle for possession. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Kilmoyley’s Sean Maunsell and Crotta’s Sean Weir battle for possession. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Talking tactics. With the fine weather their was a great sense of occasion in Causeway. Photo by Dermot Crean.
Talking tactics. With the fine weather there was a great sense of occasion in Causeway. Photo by Dermot Crean.
GAA, Sport

Hurling: Causeway Too Strong For Depleted Ballyduff Side

Ballyduff V Causeway
Action from the Ballyduff v Causeway match on Sunday evening. Photo by Mike O’Halloran

Mike O’Halloran was in Kilmoyley on Sunday evening for the Garveys Supervalu Kerry Senior Hurling Championship game between Ballyduff and Causeway… 

Causeway 2-12

Ballyduff 0-10

Another great welcome awaited the followers of the ancient game when we travelled to one of the most scenic hurling fields in The Kingdom.

Again, the folks in Kilmoyley had the whole place spic and span and it came as no surprise to anybody who visits that facility that the pitch was in pristine condition as it always is.

I was lucky enough to get tea in a china cup accompanied by Mikado biscuits. These days in North Kerry it feels like the old days of “The Stations” when neighbours visited each others houses for Mass and some food.

For weeks prior people would comment “they are busy preparing for The Stations” the house and yards would be given the once-over with everything that could be painted given a lick and the best china would be laid on the best table cloth for the neighbours.

Now the hurling clubs of the area have been given the opportunity to visit each other while Austin Stacks Park is being redeveloped and like preparing for the stations, they have been busy preparing to host the Garveys Supervalu hurling Championship Hurling games.

Every blade of grass is cut, every post painted and more importantly there is an army of stewards to welcome everybody and make sure they are safe.

I was not in Causeway earlier for the double header but I am told that the welcome there and the facilities were also impressive.

Ballyduff came to Kilmoyley a depleted outfit, with little expectation of winning and so it turned out. Causeway made hard work of defeating them and perhaps if Padraigh Boyle had stayed on the field for the duration the score may have been closer.

Ballyduff Causeway Paul Mcgrath free
Action from the Ballyduff v Causeway game on Sunday evening. Photo by Dermot Crean

Causeway opened the scoring within two minutes when Paul McGrath pointed a free, he had another before Padraigh Boyle replied for Ballyduff in the fourth minute.

Anthony Fealy struck over a beauty for Causeway and again Boyle replied for Ballyduff.

The decisive score of the first half came on eight minutes when Colum Harty struck the ball to the net to make the score causeway 1-3 Ballyduff 0-2 points.

A minute later Keith Carmody missed a sitter when he fumbled the ball wide from a couple of yards. Carmody was causing havoc each time he won possession, he was fouled on 15 minutes and Paul McGrath added the point Paul tapped over another on 17 minutes.

Padraigh Boyle had three points before halftime for Ballyduff and Muiris Delaney added one for Causeway, halftime score Causeway 1-7 Ballyduff 0-6.

Aiden Boyle pointed for Ballyduff at the resumption before Paul McGrath drove over a monster.

Then Padraigh Boyle rose to gather the ball and on landing he seemed to injure his leg and had to be replaced by Pat Joe Connolly.

Following that, Muiris Delaney cut a sideline over for Causeway 1-10 to 0-6.

Another McGrath free added a point and Eoin Ross tapped over three frees for Ballyduff. Causeway had lost Bryan Murphy prior to that and he was replaced by Jason Leahy.

Then came the killer blow; Colum Harty struck his second goal and added a point. The final score of the game came from Michael Boyle when he pointed for Ballyduff.

Final score Causeway 2-12 Ballyduff 0-10. One could hardly say this was a classic but Causeway won’t mind as they now face Lixnaw in the next round of winners versus winners.

Ballyduff await the losers of Crotta/Kilmoyley, given today’s performance from Ballyduff and injuries to Padraigh Boyle and Michael Boyle it’s hard to see them advancing beyond either Crotta or Kilmoyley.

The other matches in round two are winners of Crotta/Kilmoyley will play Abbeydorney and St Brendans will play Ballyheigue.