Into contention

to ram home their superiority at that stage of the game. 1-4 to 1-7 at half-time.

Ballydonoghue, to give them their dues, started the second half better. A determined Paul Kennelly tried his best to get his side back into the game and two early scores (one by Kennelly, one by second half sub Jack Behan) brought them back within a single point of their guests.

Listry, however, seemed able to respond at will. To Bally’s two unanswered their delivered three of their own. By the fiftieth minute it was still a four point game, 1-7 to 1-11 and it was looking increasingly unlikely Bally could get out of the hole they were in.

Kennelly though had other ideas. He took it on himself to do something about the situation and after a determined run passed across the face of the goal for Jack Foley to fist to the net.

Game on again. Especially so when Kennelly levelled it at 2-8 to 0-11 with another sweet point from play. Yet again, Listry found it within themselves to respond. A point from the excellent Gary O’Sullivan saw them regain their lead and after a red card for Thomas Kennelly, Ronan Buckley assisted Seán O’Sullivan for the insurance score.

No less than they deserved. Ballydonghue bow out.

BALLYDONOGHUE: Darragh O’Shea, Stephen Lonergan, Diarmuid Behan, Billy Foley, Colin O’Mahoney, Micheál Foley, Pádraig Enright, Eamon Walsh, Thomas Kennelly (0-1), Jim Cremin (0-1), Brian Ó Seanacháin (1-0), Danny Power, Darragh Sheehy, Paul Kennelly (0-4, 1f), Damien O’Carroll Subs: Jack Behan (0-1) for D O’Carroll, 36, Jack Foley (1-1) for D Power, 41, Conor Kennelly for E Walsh, 44, Kevin O’Donnell for B Foley, 44

LISTRY: Colm Counihan, Damian Clifford, Darragh Lehane, Kevin Courtney (0-1), Conor O’Sullivan, Anthony Kennedy, Peadar Keane, Billy O’Brien, Gary O’Sullivan (0-2), Joseph Clifford (0-1), Ronan Buckley (1-4, 1f, 1 ‘45), Aaron McCarthy (0-2), Derry Ahern (0-1), Anthony Sweeney (0-1f), Jimmy O’Leary Subs: Séan O’Sullivan (0-1) for A Sweeney, half-time

REFEREE: Paul Hayes (Kerins O’Rahillys)