Second half revival sees Shanballymore progress to JAHC final

Shanballymore 2-13 Clyda Rovers 4-5

TRAILING by six points nine minutes into the second half Shanballymore Junior A hurlers showed remarkable heart and determination to overturn this deficit and emerge victors over Clyda Rovers by a two point margin in the Hibernian Hotel JAHC semi-final at Buttevant on Saturday evening.

The opening half saw both teams quick into the action. Shanballymore moved two points clear when Jamie Sheedy pointed two frees but these were quickly cancelled out when Seamus Ronayne and Chris Buckley were on target at the other end.

Shanballymore edged in front again courtesy of a Colman O’Reilly point but it was Clyda Rovers that gained the initiative for the rest of the half with Ollie O’Hanlon, Cian O’Sullivan, Kenneth Fitzgerald, Chris Kenny, Seamus Ronayne, Colin Kelly and Tim Buckley impressing. In the 12th minute they struck for the games opening goal when a delivery by Colin Kelly was fetched by Tim Buckley who finished to the net from close range.

It was all the Mourneabbey side at this juncture. Seamus Ronayne added a point from a free before they struck for their second goal in the 21st minute when Tim and Darragh Buckley combined well for Colin Kelly whose shot at goal went in off the post 2-2 to 0-3.

Shanballymore found it very hard to make headway and their cause wasn’t helped by striking some bad wides. Brian O’Reilly had a point in the 24th minute. In injury time Clyda Rovers reflected their authority on the scoreboard when a sideline cut by Seamus Ronayne deceived everyone to make its way to the net 3-3 to 0-4. Shanballymore’s response was swift and they were given a life line when Vincent Burke finished to the net following a goalmouth scramble and trail at the interval by 3-3 to 1-4.

On the changeover Clyda Rovers again started in a very determined manner with Seamus Ronayne pointing a free in the 34th minute to move them six clear. However as the half went on the Shanballymore challenge improved greatly with Darragh Palmer, Eoin O’Regan, Brian Sheedy, Eoin McHugh and the O’Reilly brothers thundering into the game. In the 40th minute Jamie Sheedy got their revival in motion when he pointed two frees in quick succession. Clyda Rovers responded with a fine point from substitute Sean O’Connor from out near the sideline 3-5 to 1-6.

However, it was Shanballymore’s turn to set the running at this stage. Brian O’Reilly had a point in the 44th minute and two minutes later good work by Darren Roche and Darragh Palmer saw the lead down to three points when Brian O’Reilly split the posts 3-5 to 1-8. They were level soon after when a sideline by Darragh Palmer was finished to the net by Brian Sheedy.

Shanballymore never looked back from here and they followed with a series of unanswered points by Jamie Sheedy (2) Colman O’Reilly (2) and Brian O’Reilly to move 2-13 to 3-5 clear by the 57th minute. Clyda Rovers refused to give in they got right back into contention when Tim Buckley finished to the net following a goal mouth scramble at the end of normal time. Shanballymore held on for a close in the final against Dromina or Ballygiblin. SHANBALLYMORE: S Donegan, Barry Sheedy, E McHugh, A Sheedy, P Fitzgerald, S Lynch, E O’Regan, D Palmer, R McHugh, B O’Reilly 0-4, Brian Sheedy 1-0, C O’Reilly 0-3, M Burke, V Burke 1-0, J Sheedy 0-6f. Subs: D Roche for Barry Sheedy (inj), K Barry for V Burke,

CLYDA ROVERS: C Roche, J Buckley, O O’Hanlon, R Flanagan, K Fitzgerald, C Flanagan, C Kenny, R Carey, C O’Sullivan, C Kelly 1-0, J Murphy, C Buckley 0-1, S Ronayne 1-3 (1-0 s/l, 0-3f), T Buckley 2-0, D Buckley. Subs: S O’Connor 0-1 for J Murphy, B O’Connor for R Carey (inj)

REFEREE: Dave Copps (Ballyhea)