Lombard on fire as Ballyhooly advance to semis

Ballyhooly 3-15 Clyda Rovers 2-17

This was an exciting Hiber

nian Hotel JAHC quarter-final at Kildorrery on Sunday.

Ballyhooly had the perfect start when Brian Lombard pointed a sideline cut and Kevin Kiely followed with a point. David Walsh replied for Clyda Rovers. Ballyhooly had their first goal when

Denis Kiely worked well for Brian Lombard who netted and opened up a lead, 1-2 to 0-1. Kevin Coffey pointed a Rovers free.

Good play by Eoin Sykes led to a Diarmuid Linehan point. Both sides were off target before Kevin Coffey pointed a free in the 13th minute. Kevin Coffey replied with a free before Kenneth Fitzgerald and Ben Nyhan worked very well for Sean O'Sullivan to goal and edge Rovers 1-4 to 1-3 ahead after 17 minutes. Seamus Roche levelled for Ballyhooly.

Both sides exchanged points by the 21st minute. Brian Lombard gave the winners the lead with two points. David Walsh landed a long range point for Clyda and Ballyhooly had a pointed '65 from Brian Lombard. They moved 3 points clear when a foul on Gearoid Roche led to another free by the impressive Brian Lombard. Just before half-time, a foul on Conor Corbett led to a pointed free from Kevin Coffey, as Ballyhooly led at the break 1-9 to 1-7.

For the second half Ballyhooly placed Diarmuid Linehan at midfield with Seamus Roche. Kevin Coffey pointed an early free with Brian Lombard restoring the 2 point lead. James Buckley and Brian Lombard (free) exchanged points.

Clyda Rovers piled on the pressure. Kevin Coffey pointed a free and Ben O'Connor and Conor Corbett worked well for Kevin Coffey who levelled at 1-11 each after 38 minutes. Seamus Roche with a good point edged Ballyhooly ahead. Clyda missed a few chances, before Lombard opened up a two point lead. Clyda took the lead in the 47th minute when David Walsh worked well for Sean O'Sullivan for his second goal. Brian Lombard levelled for the 3rd time in the 49th minute, 2-11 to 1-14.

Clyda missed a few chances before Conor Corbett made a good interception and pointed. Ballyhooly keeper Cian Murphy made some great saves and high catches. Conor Corbett added another point with

Kevin Coffey pointing a free following a foul on Conor Flanagan in the 54th minute. Corbett was again provider for Sean O'Sullivan who pointed. Brian Lombard landed a free - 2-15 to 1-15 by the 56th minute.

Good play by Darragh Buckley led to a point from Conor Flanagan. Ben Nyhan pointed and Clyda were five points clear by the 58th minute. In injury time Ballyhooly forced a 21 metre free that Brian Lombard goaled. In the 64th minute a long puckout by Cian Murphy found Brian Lombard who netted, with the final whistle on the puckout.

Ballyhooly were through to meet Kilshannig in the semi-final.

Ballyhyooly: Cian Murphy, Colm Crowley, Jeff Gowen, Fintan Linehan, Eoin Twomey, Eoin Buckley, Eoin Sykes, Diarmuid Linehan 0-1, Seamus Roche 0-2, Gearoid Roche 0-1, Fionn Hess, Kevin Kiely 0-1, Dan Roche, Denis Kiely, Brian Lombard 3-10 (0-5f., 0-1 s/l, 0-1 '65). Sub: Dylan Collins for Dan Roche,

Referee: Denis Motherway (Ballygiblin).

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) A delighted Margaret Lombard with her grandsons Denis, Kevin and Brian (all part of the Ballyhooly JAH panel) and her great-granddaughter Mia, after beating Clyda Rovers in the Hibernian Hotel JAHC quarter-final on Sunday.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) The Ballyhooly JA hurling management team of Ger Roche, Mattie O’Connor, Tom Collins and Brian O’Sullivan, before the quarter-final tie versus Clyda Rovers.

(Pic: P O’Dwyer) The Ballyhooly JA hurling panel, before the Hibernian Hotel JAHC quarter-final versus Clyda Rovers in Kildorrery last Sunday.