BALLYLONGFORD

NORTH KERRY SFC ROUND 1 Ballylongford 0-7 Ballydonoghue 1-13. Ballylongford made their exit at the first hurdle after a spirited display at a windswept O’Rahilly Park. Playing against the champions was always going to be a big ask,but credit to Ballylongford they battled all the way to the final whistle in what was an entertaining game. With the wind blowing mostly crossfield Ballydonoghue opened the scoring with a point from wing back Tommy Kennelly in the 3rd minute quickly followed by a point from full forward and Captain Paul Kennelly. Ballylongford were struggling to convert their possession into scores but Ciaran O’Connor got their opening score in the 9th minute with a converted free.The game ebbed and flowed with neither side troubling the scoreboard until midfielder Eamon Walsh slotted over a fine point to put Ballydonoghue two ahead at the end of the first quarter.Ballydonoghue went on a mini scoring spree with four points in the next five minutes a brace from Dara Sheehy and one each from Paul Kennelly and Jack Behan. Ciaran O’Connor interrupted their run with a pointed free from close range for Ballylongford while Kieran Lynch added the final point of the half for Ballydonoghue. The best goal scoring opportunity fell to Ballylongford when Eoin O’Connor shot wide from close range after good build up play in the closing stages of the half. Half Time Score Ballylongford 0-2 Ballydonoghue 0-8 Ballylongford set about reducing the deficit early in the second half and by the 7th minute they had three points on the board two Ciaran O’Connor frees and one from play from Padraig O’Neill, Ballydonoghue responded with a good passing move but a goalbound shot came off the crossbar and was eventually cleared to safety. Paul Kennelly extended their lead with a pointed free before Eamon Walsh fired a bullet of a shot at the Ballylongford goal where Paudie Moroney made a brilliant save forcing the shot over the bar. Jeremiah Tydings fielded a high ball in the square and kicked over the bar to keep Ballylongford in touch,but it was Ballydonoghue who pulled away once again with points from Eamon Walsh(2) and Paul Kennelly before Jim Cremin scored the only goal of the game when he was left with an open goal to shoot at. Ballylongford substitute Seanie Kennelly finished out the scoring with a well taken point. Ballydonoghue now go forward to meet the winner of Moyvane,Duagh game. Ballylongford who handed a Championship debut to a number of players who will learn from the experience and it will stand to them going forward. Ballylongford: Paudie Moroney.James O’Connor, Mike McEllistrim, Kenneth Tydings, Matt O’Connor, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg McEllistrim, Jack Mulvihill, Stephen Foley, Padraig O’Neill 0-1, Liam McElligott, Eoin O’Connor, Jeremiah Tydings 0-1, Kenneth Foley, Ciaran O’Connor 0-4. Subs: Seanie Kennelly 0-1 for Kenneth Foley, Thomas Doherty for Ciaran O’Connor, Sean Carmody