SENIORS DUMPED OUT OF NK SEMI

NK Senior Championship Semi-Final 2002

Kilmoyley 0-15 Ballyheigue 3-7

Despite scoring 14 points from play in poor conditions, Kilmoyley could still not hold out for a win in this very entertaining game played at Ballyheigue on Sunday 25th November. Kilmoyley were missing four of the team that played against Blackrock two weeks earlier, but they still started the game very well and led at one stage in the first half by 7 points to 1, playing into the breeze.

Micheal Regan and Sean Fitzgerald were firing on all cylinders at this stage, but a number of soft frees allowed Ballyheigue back into the game and at half-time Kilmoyley only led by 8 points to 5, but still had the breeze in the second half.

Kilmoyley started the second half brightly, and notched up another couple of points before Ballyheigue scored a goal following a defensive error. However, Kilmoyley continued to press their advantage and with their only pointed free being scored by Sean Fitzgerald on halfway, Kilmoyley edged six points clear. It was an amazing statistic that Kilmoyley got no free inside the Ballyheigue '65 the whole game, and only received two frees in the second half.

Ballyheigue were awarded a dubious penalty about ten minutes from time which resulted in a goal. Kilmoyley replied with, what looked like a legitimate point which the Ballyheigue 'keeper stopped behind the bar. The referee Pat Sheehy discussed the matter with the umpires. But amzingly, Ballyheigue got a puck-out but Kilmoyley were not awarded the score. This was to prove vital at the end. With only thirty seconds remaining, Kilmoyley were two points ahead and Ballyheigue were awarded a 21 metre free. It was a low shot but it was stopped by Sean Griffin. But the rebound fell to Boxer Slattery who headed for goal and despite taking far too many steps with the ball, he kicked to the net and the goal stood. From the resulting puckout the final whistle was blown.

So in the end a very disappointing result for Kilmoyley as they were without doubt the better team on the day. But they failed to kill off the game when they were in charge and rued a number of misses at the end. But fair play to Ballyheigue, they stuck to their guns and showed more grit and determination and in the end it is they who go through to the final.

Kilmoyley Team

Joe Walsh, Paul McCarthy, Padraig Regan, Brendan Harris (0-1), James McCarthy, Sean Fitzgerald (0-1f), Tom Murnane, Richard Gentleman (0-2), Sean Griffin, Ollie Diggins (0-2), Christy Walsh, Micheal Regan (0-2), Padraig o'Sullivan (0-3), Darren Young (0-1), Billy Brick (0-2).