Sunday 9th September 2007 County Hurling Final
Championship Austin Stack park
Lixnaw 1-12 Kilmoyley 2-6
COUNTY SENIOR HURLING FINAL (THE KINGDOM report)
IT’S time to add Kilmoyley to the list that includes the All-Blacks and Australia in a weekend of shocks as Eamon Cregan’s Lixnaw surprised the hot favourites to reclaim the AIB county senior hurling championship, after an exiting contest in Austin Stack Park, Tralee. Lixnaw fully deserved their win though Kilmoyley almost snatched the game out of the furnace a couple of minutes from when Shane Brick raced through on the left. But his blistering shot on goal was saved by the shin of teenage ‘keeper, Martin Stackpoole, who made a series of stunning saves all through.
This was a victory crafted out of a hunger and will-to-win by Lixnaw that Kilmoyley just could not match and the favourites were clearly not expecting the ferocity of the Lixnaw challenge. If Kilmoyley thought they were going to cruise this contest by being allowed display all their stick work and that their skilled craftsmen up front were going to be allowed plunder scores at will, then they had lost this game before it had even started.
Lixnaw, despite their training and preparations being upset by the football exploits of some of their players with Finuge and Feale Rangers, had not read the script. With leaders all over the field, they imposed their game on Kilmoyley from the throw-in and, in truth, Kilmoyley just could match the winners intensity and were completely knocked off their stride. Enda Galvin gave an inspirational display at left half forward, not that positions meant anything, as he foraged for the ball all over the pitch, knocked opponents off their stride and distributed good ball to his teammates.
Lixnaw won all the head-to-heads, with Micheal Cronin coming in to the full back line and marking Joe Murnane. Cronin gave some big hits, cleared his lines and made a vital interception late on as Shane Brick threatened to steal Lixnaw’s thunder.
Pat Corridan was exceptional along with captain, Pat Dowling, as Kilmoyley varied their two man full forward line with Shane and Billy Brick spending time in the corner. Trevor McKenna had a big game at centre back and never allowed Kilmoyley attackers any space while Mike Quilter and Maurice Corridan harried and closed down their opponents as Kilmoyley just could not get any time on the ball and their game plan was thwarted as they struggled to score.
Eamon Fitzmaurice supplied lead-ership in the middle as a stopper while his young partner, John Griffin was superb and another contender for man-of-the-match. Mike Conway and James Flaherty were always a threat in side in a two man full forward line and Conway on another day would have a couple of goals to add to his 0-6 but he always had the legs of Padraig Regan, who had a bad day at the office. Enda Galvin roamed far and wide as stated so Lixnaw were fired up and had Kilmoyley shackled in a vice like grip and should have them dead and buried but nearly paid for that late on when Shane Brick could have leveled.
Kilmoyley will be bitterly disappointed that they played so badly and yet were only a puck of a ball off getting a replay.
No matter what a coach says, play-ers will have this in their sub conscious and when they were smothered on Sunday by a hungry Lixnaw side, they did not know which way to turn. Even at half time when the game was tight, Kilmoyley had the look of a beaten side and it was Lixnaw that had the spring in their step as Kimoyley’s big players were well held and they had to work so hard to get a score.
Ian Brick and Sean Griffin hurled well, while Eoin Sheehy tried very hard at midfield but, up front, the James McCarthy experiment failed though he got a goal, while only Shane Brick, though well held, seemed capable of breaking through a tigerish defense. And he was never going to be allowed get through for a free hit on goal as Lixnaw threw bodies on the line. Lixnaw, who started without Kerry All Star, Paul Galvin, imposed their game on Kilmoyley who could not match the ferocity of the likes of Enda Galvin, from the very outset. With Eamon Fitzmaurice and Trevor McKenna closing down the centre, they should have been further ahead at the break, than the 1-4 to 1-3 they took to the dressing rooms.
Shane Brick set up Joe Murnane for a 13th minute goal as Kilmoyley led 1-1 to 0-1 but once Lixnaw got going, points from Enda Galvin, Mike Conway and a goal from Killian Fitzmaurice saw them grab the initiative as Kilmoyley just were not allowed to play their expansive game. Two excellent Shane Brick points, straight after the break leveled the contest, but once Mike Conway restored Lixnaw’s single point lead, the game changed in their favour, with the introduction of Kerry star Paul Galvin, who fired over a point with his first touch. Conway fired over three more points as Lixnaw moved 1-10 to 1-5 with just 12 minutes left.
Kilmoyley fought back late on and Shane Brick and John Griffin exchanged points but when James McCarthy finished a Tom Murnane free to the net, it was just a two point game. Kilmoyley then started to go for goal but were kept at bay by some outstanding goalkeeping and tenacious defending as Ray Galvin ensured Lixnaw’s win with a late point from play. Lixnaw will now represent Kerry in the Munster club and the date for that game is November 5.
Lixnaw: M Stackpoole, P Dowling, M Cronin, P Corridan, M Quilter, T McKenna, M Corridan, E Fitzmaurice, J Griffin (0-1), P Lyons (0-1), K Dowling, E Galvin (0-1), M Conway (0-6, 0-4 frees), K Fitzmaurice (1-0), J Flaherty (0-1).
Subs used: P Galvin (0-1) for P Lyons, R Galvin (0-1) for J Flaherty, F Fitzmaurice for R Galvin (inj).
Kilmoyley: B Harris, S Griffin, P Regan, I Brick, S Fitzgerald, T Murnane, C Harris, M Murnane, E Sheehy, M Regan, S Brick (0-5, 0-1 free), P McCarthy, B Brick (0-1), J McCarthy (1-0), J Murnane (1-0). Subs used: J Godley for S Fitzgerald, S Maunsell for M O’Regan, R Gentleman for P McCarthy, P Flaherty for M Murnane.
Referee: Cathal McAllister (Cork).
(KERRY'S EYE report)
Kilmoyley were hot favourites to win back the County title they last held in 2004 at Austin Stack Park in Tralee on Sunday, where Lixnaw provided the opposition. Kilmoyley had impressively defeated reigning champions Ballyduff and Ballyheigue on their way to the final, while Lixnaw had a good win over Crotta O’Neills in round 1, but struggled to get past Causeway in the semi-final. Right from the throw-in on Sunday Lixnaw fought tooth and nail for every ball, and did not give their opponents any time on the ball. They made the early running but shot a number of wides and missed two clear goal chances while Kilmoyley made more use of their possession during this half.
The sides were 0 – 1 each after 12 minutes when Joe Murnane struck for the first goal of the game. Lixnaw hit back with two points before Killian Fitzmaurice got on the end of a good Lixnaw move in the 23rd minute and goaled to leave them 1 – 3 to 1 – 1. The Brick brothers pointed for Kilmoyley while Paudie Lyons fired over one for Lixnaw to leave them 1–4 to 1–3 ahead at the break. Michael Conway put two points between the sides early in the second half but Shane Brick fired over two excellent points to tie matters after five minutes. Lixnaw then took control of matters and scored five unanswered points to lead 1 – 10 to 1 – 5 at the end of the third quarter. Shane Brick and John Griffin swapped points before James McCarthy gave Kilmoyley a life-line with a goal four minutes from the end.Reggie Galvin made it safe for the Lixnaw lads with a well taken point.
Before the end Shane Brick went for a goal from a 20 metre free, but his shot went harmlessly wide and with it any chance of a Kilmoyley victory. The defeated side had lined out as selected, while Lixnaw introduced Mike Cronin, Enda Galvin and Killian Fitzmaurice for Colm Lyons (injured), Fergus Fitzmaurice and Stephen Power. Billy Brick from play and James Flaherty from a free swapped early wides before Flaherty opened the scoring with a pointed free in the 6th minute after a foul on Michael Conway. Kilmoyley keeper Brendan Harris made an excellent point blank save from Flaherty soon after and Conway was wide on the follow up play. Conway was through on goal in the 10th minute, but Ian Brick smothered his shot as he was about to pull the trigger.
Shane Brick opened Kilmoyley’s account with a point after a poorly-struck free. In the next passage of play James McCarthy and Shane Brick combined to set up Joe Murnane for the first goal of the game. Michael Cronin picked up their first yellow card for a rash tackle on Brick leading to the goal. James Flaherty was wide from a good position before Enda Galvin, who had his best game ever in the Lixnaw colours, fired over a fine point off his left to reduce the margin. James McCarthy almost got in for a goal at the other end but was denied by Martin Stackpoole. Michael Conway opened his account in the 20th minute with a pointed free following a foul on Killian Fitzmaurice. Enda Galvin was yellow carded for a wild swing on Shane Brick and Eamonn Fitzmaurice was wide from play. Enda Galvin ran through the Kilmoyley defence before off loading to Killian Fitzmaurice who shot low to the corner of the net for a well taken goal. Shane Brick pointed a 65 to reduce matters while in the 30th minute Paudie Lyons fired over a point after a blunder by Brendan Harris.
Kilmoyley Captain Billy Brick collected a line ball in injury time and reduced matters to the minimum just before the half time break. Seán Maunsell replaced Michaél Regan and James Godley came on for Seán Fitzgerald at the interval for Kilmoyley but it was Michael Conway who opened the scoring with a pointed free from his own 65 metre line. Shane Brick pointed from play at the other following a poor clearance and the same player levelled matters with another fine point from the left touchline in the 5th minute.
Meanwhile Martin Stackpoole denied Joe Murnane a second goal with an excellent save. Lixnaw raised the tempo but Stackpoole came to their rescue once more to deny Kilmoyley another goal. Michael Conway pointed from play and from a free to put his side ahead after 11 minutes while Seán Griffin came to Kilmoyley’s rescue following a blunder from Harris in the goals. Paul Galvin replaced Paudie Lyons for Lixnaw and he made his presence with a fine point after a good solo. Conway pointed after a foul on himself and fired over from play to make it 1 – 10 to 1 – 5 in his side’s favour at the end of the third quarter.
Richard Gentleman replaced Paul McCarthy for Kilmoyley while Raymond “Reggie” Galvin entered the fray for James Flaherty.
Shane Brick reduced the margin with a fine point under pressure, but John Griffin cancelled this at the other end with another fine strike following good work again by Enda Galvin. In the 26th minute a 65 was floated in by Tom Murnane and James got his stick to it and flicked the ball to the net ,to reduce the margin to just two points. Kilmoyley came in search of the winning scores but again 17 year old Stackpoole denied Shane Brick a goal with a stunning point blank save and Tom Murnane was wide from the resultant 65. Lixnaw broke up the field and Conway found Reggie Galvin who fired over a fine point under pressure. Paul Galvin was wide off his left soon after but the drama was not over yet. Kilmoyley were awarded a 20 metre free in injury and upped stepped Shane Brick but his shot for goaled drifted wide.
The final whistle sounded on the puck out and Lixnaw had regained the Senior Championship trophy they had last won in 2005.
Martin Stackpoole, Michael Cronin, Pat Dowling, Trevor McKenna, John Griffin, Killian Fitzmaurice, Michael Conway and “Man of the Match” Enda Galvin were best for Lixnaw. Seán Griffin, Ian Brick, Colin Harris, Eoin Sheehy, Shane Brick and Billy Brick and James McCarthy tried hardest for Kilmoyley.
COUNTY MINOR HURLING FINAL (THE KINGDOM report)
Kilmoyley 3-15 Ballyheigue 1-9
LAST year’s beaten finalists, Kilmoyley, made no mistake this time as they put a young Ballyheigue side to the sword to capture the county minor championship trophy after a one-sided curtain raiser to the main event at a sun-splashed Austin Stack Park, Tralee on Sunday. It should have inspired the senior Kilmoyley side for the big game but it failed though the future of the club appears bright, based on some of the talent the winners had on show. It was always going to be an uphill battle for Ballyheigue who had a very young side, with all but four of them under-age again next year but once Kilmoyley got going, they had no answer to the their strong men. This is particularly true concerning Kilmoyley centre forward, Adrian Royle, who was unstoppable all through and his ability to win the ball and either score himself and set up a team mate was a deciding factor in this contest.
Kilmoyley, who learned from the experience of their 13-point thrashing in last year’s final were slow enough in getting going but once their main play-ers, like Sean Dowling, Tommy Maunsell, Conor Fitzell, Andy McCarthy and Adrian Royle, got going, the writing was on the wall for Ballyheigue. The opening 20 minutes was competitive as Kilmoyley appeared a shade nervous and Ballyheigue threw caution to the wind as underdogs should, and they gave as good as they got. However, it was Kilmoyley who got off to a dream start when as early as second minute when Andy McCarthy’s free, from 60 meters, dropped short and Brian Nolan got a touch for a goal that should have seen the winners establish an early foothold. Credit Ballyheigue, who had full forward Richard O’Mahony out around the middle, as the precocious Kevin Reidy fired over their opening point a minute later.
Royle had his first point for Kilmoyley in the fifth minute but Ronan Kenny raced through a minute later for Ballyheigue and scored a fine point as Kilmoyley began to waste possession by turning the ball over. Ballyheigue had a great chance of a goal in the 12th minute when John O’Halloran got through, but his shot was brilliantly saved by ‘keeper Joe McElligott and when the rebound came back out to Ronan Kenny, his goal bound effort was again saved and Kilmoyley were fortunate. Points from Sean Colgan (free) and the lively Kenny had the sides level on 0-4 to 1-1 with 18 minutes gone and one wondered was an upset on the cards because Danny Casey, Frank Gentleman and Alan Lucid were hurling with fierce intensity for Ballyheigue.
As if they sensed the danger, Kilmoyley upped their performance and began to dominate as they finished a very long half the better. Royle restored Kilmoyley’s lead in the 19th minute and minutes later a wild pull by Richard O’Mahony saw Niall Young hit the deck, and O’Mahony was fortunate to only see yellow. A sustained bout of Kilmoyley pressure saw Andy McCarthy convert a free in the 28th minute and points followed from Edmund Griffin who scored a quick brace and another from Royle who picked up a loose ball after McCarthy ’65 dropped in the danger zone. It was 1-7 to 0-4 at this stage with time up but the referee played on and on, and this period Ballyheigue rallied with two Sean Colgan frees, to leave it 1-7 to 0-6 when time was called but one felt that it was only a matter of time before Kilmoyley would up the tempo and pull away.
The second half developed into a stroll for Kilmoyley as Ballyheigue found the strength and power of their opponents just too much and despite a Shane Lawlor goal in the 41st minute, Kilmoyley had amassed an impressive total by the three-quarters stage leading 2-13 to 1-7. Royle, O’Brien and Conor Fitzell added three points before Adrian Royle attempted an ambitious low drive from thirty yards that slipped through the keeper’s legs to the net. Royle and Andy McCarthy continued to pile on the agony and when McCarthy knocked in a rebound from his first attempt at goal that had been saved in 47th minute, the game was well over. Kilmoyley introduced a raft of subs while Ballyheigue never gave up and closed with points from centre back Alan Lucid and Ronan Kenny but Kilmoyley were celebrating at this stage as Conor Fitzell finished with two points and Kilmoyley had won by a double digit margin. So Kilmoyley had made up for the disappointment of last year’s final defeat with Adrian Royle and Andy McCarthy vying for man of the match, as they amassed 2-9 of their sides total, but to their credit Ballyheigue never gave up, though outclassed.
Kilmoyley: J McElligott, S Dowling, J B O’Halloran, M Griffin, T Maunsell, N Young, R Barrett, M Harrington, D Fitzell (0-3), A McCarthy (1-4), A Royle (1-5), C Fitzell, E Griffin (0-2), B Nolan (1-0), T O’Brien (0-1). Subs used: D McElligott for C Fitzell, C Fitzell for M Harrington, J P O’Mahony for R Barrett, S Herlihy for B Nolan, S Godley for E Griffin.
Ballyheigue: C James, S Casey, D Casey, T O’Mahony, F Gentleman, A Lucid (0-1), M Regan, S Colgan (0-3), C O’Mahony, J O’Halloran, R Kenny (0-3), B Horgan, S Lawlor (1-0), R O’Mahony (0-1), K Reidy (0-1).
Subs used: P Regan for C O’Mahony, Dermot Lucid for J O’Halloran, Joseph O’Halloran for R O’Mahony.
Referee: D O’Carroll (Ballyduff).
Sunday 17th October 2007 Semi Final County Hurling
Championship Austin Stack park
Kilmoyley 1-12
Ballyheigue 2-2
Kilmoyley reach fifth Senior final in seven years
This game did not live up to its promise, and in the end was a big disappointment for all neutral spectators. But that did not bother the Kilmoyley team and supporters as it was mission accomplished in reaching a first county final in three years. This was the second game of a double header at Austin Stack park, as Lixnaw had earlier dismissed Causeway in the first semi-final and book their place in the final. There was little time for Kilmoyley or Ballyheigue to warm up for their game and it showed in the early exchanges with numerous errors made on both sides. Kilmoley were playing with a slight breezez and would have been anxious to get some early scores. Then, in the third minute Shane Brick settled Kilmoyley as he raced onto a breaking ball and after a twenty metre solo rifled a bullet to the net. In the next few minutes he added a point while brother Billy added a second inside ten minutes. Kilmoyley's defence was well on top at this stage also with Sean Griffin and Ian Brick clearing everything that came their way. But Ballyheigue brought themselves back into the game, when a Brendan Harris error in goals was punished with a Ballyheigue goal. But this was to be Ballyheigue's only score of the half. Maurice Murnane replied emphatically for the winners with three unanswered points from play to restore Kilmoyley's lead and Kilmoyley finished with four more points from Paul McCarthy, Shane Brick (2) and Tom Murnane with his second point of the championship. Although Kilmoyley were well on top, an early Ballyheigue counter attack had to be avoided as Kilmoyley faced the breeze.
Kilmoyley stuck to their task diligently and even stretched their lead with points from Shane Brick and Colin Harris (his second point of the championship). It took Ballyheigue all of seventeen minutes to get their first point and score, and added a goal which incidentally shouldn't have been allowed for a push on fullback Padraig Regan. They added a final point in the closing minutes to leave Kilmoyley comfortable winners by ten points. Kilmoyley introduced all subs in the closing stages when the game was beyond doubt.
Kilmoyley had achieved their goal of reaching the final, but the fact that the game was non-competitive for the most part will surely be a concern.
Ballyheigue no match for rampant Kilmoyley Kerryman Report
ONE of the big question marks hanging over Kilmoyley's comprehensive performance in their eleven point quarter-final defeat of Ballyduff was whether Kilmoyley were very good or were Ballyduff just poor on the day. Certainly on the evidence of their semi-final display against Ballyheigue on Sunday it appears that Kilmoyley will just have to stroll through this year's county championship to win their fifth championship title of the decade.
It took Ballyheigue all of 47 minutes to register their second score in this game and at that point Kilmoyley were leading by 1-14 to 1-0. Balyheigue's only score in that period came in the 11th minute when Brendan O'Sullivan bundled the ball into the net from close range.
Ballyheigue simply had no answer to this superbly coached Kilmoyley side. Once again Kilmoyley played with a shape and pattern that is rarely seen in Kerry hurling and there is no doubt that Anthony Daly has come in this year and transformed a tired and aging team. The semi-final itself, however, was a total mismatch and therefore very poor fare for a reasonably large attendance.
Daly will however be worried about the prospect of playing Lixnaw in the final and whether he admits it or not he will be anxious to prove a point to opposition manager Eamon Cregan. Kimoyley have yet to be tested in this year's championship while Lixnaw's tough semi-final over Causeway will stand to them. He will also be concerned that a number of his forward line looked sluggish. Three of his starting six forwards failed to score and they had to rely on the superb Shane Brick for 1-7 of their total.
However, it would be unfair to say that this was a one-man show. It was far from it. Ian Brick is having an outstanding year and was once again superb while Sean Griffin and Colin Harris were their usually efficient selves. Tom Murnane has been a revelation at centre back while their midfield pairing of Maurice Murnane and Eoin Sheehy are the best pairing in the championship. Their tussle with Eamonn Fitzmaurice and John Griffin of Lixnaw could be one of the key clashes of the county final.
Three of their starting six Kilmoyley forwards were replaced in this game and this should be the one area that will concern Kilmoyley. They do have a number of options on the bench. Sean Maunsell has done well when introduced in both championship games this year while Pat Flaherty, Richard Gentleman and Padraig O'Sullivan are all very talented players.
Kilmoyley started this game a little bit sluggishly, but all that changed in the third minute. Shane Brick raced onto a breaking ball forty metres from goal. He progressed to the twenty-metre line where he unleashed an unstoppable shot to the back of the net. Brothers Billy and Shane Brick then added two very good scores from play to give Kilmoyley a 1-2 to 0-0 lead after ten minutes.
Ballyheigue briefly rallied with Brendan O'Sullivan's fifth goal of the current championship, but after that it was simply all Kilmoyley. Maurice Murnane proved once again what a great hurler he is by scoring three points in a row from play. Paul McCarthy, Shane Brick and Tom Murnane finished off the first half scoring and Kilmoyley led by 1-9 to 1-0 at half time.
The second half of this game made for painful viewing as Kilmoyley strolled through the September sunshine at training ground pace. Ballyheigue took seventeen minutes to score their first point of the half. Then in a brief flurry of excitement Brendan O'Sullivan, plundered another goal and Jason Griffin a point for Ballyheigue. These scores were purely academic however and Kilmoyley safely booked their county final passage with another comfortable ten-point victory and will be everyone's favourites to equal Ballyduff's total of 21 county senior hurling titles.
Saturday 25th August 2007 Quarter Final County Hurling
Championship Austin Stack park
Kilmoyley 2-12
Ballyduff 0-7
Kilmoyley produced one of its best displays in years in toppling defending champions Ballyduff at the first hurdle by 2-12 to
0-7 in this quarter final county hurling championship clash at Austin stack park Tralee on Saturday evening. Kilmoyley's
display was similar to that of Limerick's when they overcame Waterford a few weeks earlier, and perhaps the fact that the
media had written off both teams may have contributed in some way to the outcomes of both games. An eleven point defeat to
the old enemy was indeed very sweet indeed, and the expected fightback in the second half never materialised, or rather it
wasn't allowed materialise. For Kilmoyley fought tooth and nail for every scrap of posession, allowing their opponents little
or no time on the ball. To have this year's All-Ireland hurling referee Diarmuid Kirwin of Cork in charge of the game was a
great boost for the game and for once it lived up to expectation. While the skill level may not have been as high throughout
the game as hoped, there was certainly no shortage of commitment and determination on either side. The fact that Kilmoyley
had nine different scorers in the game also signals that Kilmoyley are certainly not a one-man-team.
Kilmoyley started the game with more or less the same fifteen that played in last year's game with a number of positional
changes. James McCarthy featured at full forward while Shane Brick started at midfield with Eoin Sheehy, and this year's
captain Billy Brick was a welcome addition to the team after returning from injury. Kilmoyley elected to play with the slight
breeze into the Horan's end of the ground, but it was their opponents who opened the scoring after two minutes with a point
from play. This settled Kilmoyley though and a minute later Billy Brick fielded the first of many high balls in the game to
set up James McCarthy who finished to the net, and it was a lead Kilmoyley were never tp relinquish. Every puck out was
strongly challenged by the Kilmoyley men, and the Ballyduff defence were at odds as to who they were marking at times. This
confusion allowed the Kilmoyley forwards some latitude and Paul McCarthy from play and Shane (free) and Billy Brick took full
advantage with some fine scores. Ballyduff came more into the game at this stage and converted a free and a '65 to narrow the
gap. The Kilmoyley defence was under more pressure at this stage but Kilmoyley's midfield pairing were always available to
lend a hand. Another long delivery paid dividends for Kilmoyley as this time James McCarthy knocked down for Billy Brick to
score Kilmoyley's second goal of the game and put seven points between the teams with only quarter of the game gone.
Ballyduff confusion continued and this led to a number of frees, but Kilmoyley couldn't convert. Instead, Ballyduff
themselves made the most of their limited posession to add another two points, one from a free. Sean Griffin at corner back
kept dangerman Bobby O'Sullivan scoreless from play while Padraig Regan gave nothing away at full back. Ballyduff had left
two men in their full forward line, but in doing so pulled corner back Ian Brick out the field who latched onto a loose ball
and slotted home for a point. Shane Brick increased his tally with two further points, while Tom Murnane popped up with a
good point from the sideline to finish the scoring for the first half and leave Kilmoyley with a significant 2-7 to 0-5 lead.
The Kilmoyley supporters must have been very pleased with their teams' performance up to this point, but with the slight breeze against them for the second half, there were surely a few worried among them, knowing Ballyduff's reputation. Kilmoyley brought Billy Brick out the field for the second half while brother Shane spent much of the half helping out his defence. This left the Kilmoyley forwards with a lot more space to cover and it was no surprise that a number of substitutions were made late in the game to replenish the tired legs and sore bodies. As expected Ballyduff did start with a much better tempo to their play, but for all their pressure they could only manage a single point early on. It didn't matter if it was high or low ball, out the wings or up the centre, the Kilmoyley defence stood firm and cleared everything. As well as that, Kilmoyley got little help from Mr. Kirwan who seemed to favour theie opponents when it came to tight decisions. There was certainly nothing easy coming Kilmoyley's way, but that made the win all the sweeter. Shane Brick added two more points for Kilmoyley, while Ballyduff reduced the deficit with a free. Colin Harris added a great point from wingback to lift his team for the final quarter and surely a nine poiny gap at this stage was enough. With legs getting tired, Kilmoyley introduced a couple of subs to inject some pace in the attack and it certainly had the desired effect with sean Maunsell and Maurice Murnane adding further points. There was stalemate for the final few minutes as Ballyduff gave up the fight while Kilmoyley were content to soak up the pressure. There were jubilant scenes at the end as Kilmoyley recorded a great win and advanced to the semi-finals in two weeks time.
2007 Minor County Championship
Saturday 22nd September 2007 Semi Final County Hurling
Championship Causeway
Kilmoyley 1-6
Ballyduff 0-5
Kilmoyley minors join seniors in County Finals
The scoreline suggests that this was a relatively easy win for Kilmoyley but only for a late goal by Andy McCarthy Kilmoyley could have benn looking at defeat. This was lierally a game of two halves as the strong breeze blew diagonally down the field. It was Ballyduff who opened the scoring facing the breeze with a pointed free as Kilmoyley found it difficult to break down Ballyduff's strong half back line. It took quarter of an hour to get this score from Adrian Royle with Andy McCarthy adding another a minute later with a free. McCarthy added another three further points to end Kilmoyley's score for the half at five points. Kilmoyley's sideline gurus Maurice Fitzgerald and Tommy Gentleman made some good tactical switches to make the most of their resources.
Just like the seniors, Kilmoyley were hoping to stifle their opponents forwards for as long as possible as they faced the breeze for the second period. Better again, Kilmoyley stretched their lead with Andy McCarthy's final point, and were unlucky as Adrian Royle hit the post with another effort. But Ballyduff were completely on top for the next twenty minutes of the game, and were it not for the excellent JB O'Halloran at fullback and Sean Dowling on his right with Ray Barrett in front, there certainly would have been a different outcome. Keeper Joe McElligott was also excellent in goals as wave after wave of attack was cancelled one after another. Ballyduff had narrowed the gap to a single point as the game neared its conclusion. But as Ballyduff pushed to get that vital score they forgot about the one player who had tormented them all day - Andy McCarthy. Following a fine Kilmoyley passing movement he received the ball inside the Ballyduff defence and fired an unstoppable shot to the Ballyduff net to secure their final spot. It was a brilliant goal to grace any semifinal stage and one which the Kilmoyley crowd were very grateful for.
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Kilmoyley Team Brendan Harris, Sean Griffin, Padraig Regan, Ian Brick, Sean Fitzgerald, Tom Murnane, Colin Harris, Eoin Sheehy, Maurice Murnane, Paul McCarthy, Joe Murnane, Micheal Regan, Billy Brick, James McCarthy, Shane Brick. subs Pat Flaherty for J.Murnane (20)
Brendan Harris, Sean Griffin, Padraig Regan, Ian Brick, Sean Fitzgerald, Tom Murnane, Colin Harris, Eoin Sheehy, Shane Brick, Maurice Murnane, Paul McCarthy, Micheal Regan, Billy Brick, James McCarthy, Joe Murnane. subs Patrick Flaherty (blood 25)for M Murnane, Patrick Flaherty (45)for M Regan, Sean Maunsell (45)for J Murnane, Edward Fitzgerald (50) for P McCarthy, Padraig O'Sullivan (50) for J McCarthy.
Kilmoyley Team Joseph McElligott, sean Dowling, John B O'Halloran, Mike Griffin, Ray Barrett, Niall Young, Tommy Maunsell, Denis McElligott, Conor Fitzell, Mike Harrington, Adrian Royle, Andy McCarthy, Edmund Griffin, Brian Nolan, Tim O'Brien
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