Shanballymore book hurling final berth
Shanballymore 2-13 Milford 2-7
SHANBALLYMORE had six points to spare over Milford in the Junior C HC semi final at Charleville on Sunday.
Following a close opening half very little separated the teams. Shanballymore got off to a tonic start when a delivery by the impressive Richard Hallinan was finished to the net by Michael O’Donovan.
Milford quickly settled with Rory Villiers, John W Watson, Michael Whelan, Rory Biggane, Seamus Whelan and John Cremin making an impression and it helped them get back on parity at 1-1 to 0-4 by the 20th minute.
The remainder of the half saw Shanballymore come close to a second goal when Dave Twomey’s attempt at goal was deflected out for a ‘65 that Paul Burke pointed.
Burke added another point from a free before a huge free by keeper Jonathan Linehan back in his own half back line moved them three clear.
Milford battled back well and at the end of normal time Robbie Watson and Seamus Whelan linked up well to set up Paudie O’Brien for an equalising goal to leave them deadlocked at the interval at 1-4 apiece.
On the changeover they were level again at 1-5 each when Richard Hallinan and Seamus Whelan traded early points. Shanballymore struck for their second goal in the 36th minute courtesy of Michael O’Donovan after Kenneth Barry’s attempt for a point came back off the post 2-5 to 1-5.
Shanballymore were showing the greater urgency at this juncture with Richard McCarthy, Noel Roche, Darren Roche, Richard Hallinan, Kenneth Barry, Michael O’Donovan and the Burke brothers featuring strongly.
Two more frees by Paul Burke surged them 2-7 to 1-5 ahead by the 40th minuter. Milford stayed in touch when Shane Carroll pointed following good work by Robbie Watson and Seamus Whelan.
Moments later they thundered right back into the contest when Donal Leonard set up the hard-working Rory Biggane for a goal 2-8 to 2-6. In the last quarter Shanballymore continued to create most of the running.
A long range point by Michael O’Donovan opened up a three point game with Milford responding through John Cremin from the resultant puck-out 2-9 to 2-7. This proved to be Milford’s last score even though they stayed in contention right till the end.
Shanballymore on the other hand added four more points before the final whistle by Kenneth Barry (2) Paul Burke and Michael O’Donovan to run out deserving winners and advance to a final meeting with Liscarroll / Churchtown Gaels.
SHANBALLYMORE: J Linehan 0-1f, S Cronin, J Burke, P Palmer, D Roche, R McCarthy, N Roche, R Hallinan 0-1, K Barry 0-2, V Burke, D Twomey, P Burke 0-7 (0-5f, 0-1 ‘65’), C McCarthy, M O’Donovan 2-2, M J O’Regan
MILFORD: D O’Hara, T Geary, R Villiers, D Schuttle, S Galvin, J W Watson, M Whelan, R Biggane 1-1, I Carroll, S Carroll 0-1, S Whelan 0-1, R Watson, J Cremin 0-3, P O’Brien 1-1, D Leonard Sub: M O’Brien for D Leonard
REFEREE: Michael Sheehan (Liscarroll)