Ballyduff retain SHL title
Causeway 1-13 Ballyduff 0-18
BALLYDUFF retained their County League Division One title in Causeway last Saturday with a second half performance that owed much to their character and expertise, and to the leadership provided by such standout performers as Mikey and Padraig Boyle. They were second best for prolonged periods of the first half, but, picked up the pace considerably at the outset of the second, and while the end result still hung in the balance right up until the final whistle Ballyduff’s greater level of endeavour ultimately shaded the verdict for them.
After a somewhat indifferent opening half the encounter gathered ever increasing momentum in the second, and, ultimately developed into a pretty pulsating encounter, even if there was a lack of quality at times reflected in a final match tally of eighteen wides. Initially, both sides were guilty of inaccuracy at opposite ends, and, a lot of aimless deliveries contributed to what was a pretty sub standard opening ten minutes of play, at the end of which the teams were level on one point apiece.
Successive points from Keith Carmody and Gavin Dooley put Causeway in front after twelve minutes, and, one minute later they could have consolidated their situation even further when Gavin Dooley in a clear cut goaling situation was denied by PJ O Gorman’s superb save. However, they mantained their grip on proceedings, and with Brandon Barrett twice on target they were 0-5 to 0-2 ahead by the end of the opening quarter. Padraig Boyle’s unerring returns from placed balls kept Ballyduff in touch, and they were just one point adrift, 0-6 to 0-5, by the 24th minute.
However, with Jason Leahy prominent in midfield and scoring his side’s seventh point Causeway were the side in the ascendancy, and a rather fortuitous goal from Brandon Barrett’s long range free that went over the line off the fingertips of a defender in the 32nd minute, meant that Causeway retired for the interval 1-9 to 0-7 in front.
One expected a response from Ballyduff, and, it materialised right at the outset of the second half, due largely to the impact being made by Mikey Boyle in midfield. With Padraig Boyle alongside operating to great effect in a withdrawn role, Ballyduff established a firm platform for a series of sustained attacks. Jack Goulding was also very much an influential figure scoring three points inside the opening eleven minutes which left the sides deadlocked 1-10 0-13 at that juncture. There was still nothing seperating the sides at the end of the third quarter, but the industry of such as Eoin Ross, along with both Daniel and Paul O’Carroll for Ballyduff meant that overall they mantained a grip on proceedings, with Causeway largely reduced to sporadic attacks.
With Padraig Boyle adding to his own spiraling scoring tally, and his brother Aidan, off the bench scoring his side’s fifteenth point Ballyduff briefly went back in front by two points 1-10 0-15, and, despite a fine solo effort from Jason Diggins for Causeway, Ballyduff were still two points to the good 1-11 0-16 with seven minutes of normal time remaining. However, successive scores from Causeway’s scorer in chief Brandon Barrett levelled matters again, 1-13 to 0-16, with three minutes of normal time remaining and set the scene for a grandstand finish.
Ultimately it was left to two of Ballyduff’s most outstanding performers Padraig Boyle and Jack Goulding to seal the deal with a brace of superb scores, and while Causeway having introduced John Mike Dooley had one final chance to salvage the situation with a free in the dying moments, Ballyduff defending in numbers were well equal to Causeway’s final effort.
A game of fluctuating fortunes, and one that could quite easily have gone either way, but Ballyduff’s big guns stood tallest when the need was greatest, and were hugely instrumental in adding this title to the North Kerry Championship crown which was won five weeks ago.
CAUSEWAY: Stephen Murphy, Mark Murphy, Muiris Delaney, Tommy Barrett, Tommy Casey, Jason Diggins (0-1), Evan Murphy, Jason Leahy (0-1), Joseph Diggins, Keith Carmody (0-1), Bryan Murphy (0-1), Gearoid Mahony, Gavin Dooley (0-1), Brandon Barrett 1-8 (1-6f), Colum Harty. Subs: Sean Leahy for T Casey, Padraig Harty for M Murphy, John Mike Dooley for G Mahony.
BALLYDUFF: PJ O’Gorman, Darren O’Connor, Anthony O’Carroll, Thomas Slattery, John Hussey, Paud Costello, Eoin Ross, Jack O’Sullivan, Mikey Boyle (0-1), Jack Goulding (0-4), Daniel O’Carroll, Paul O’Carroll, Darragh Goulding, Liam Boyle (0-1), Padraig Boyle 0-11 (7f, 1 ‘65’). Subs: Chris Whyte for D Goulding, David Goulding for C Whyte, Aidan Boyle (0-1) for L Boyle.
REFEREE: Tom Godley (Kilmoyley)