The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Ballyheighue bow out with their heads held high
COUNTY SHC ROUND 2B Abbeydorney 2-13 Ballyheigue 0-13
ONCE they had established an eleven point lead by the twentieth minute in this second round clash there was rarely the likelihood that they would surrender such a comfortable advantage, but the level of Abbeydorney’s performance lapsed considerably in the second half, which was due to the admirable endeavours of a Ballyheigue combination who battled bravely right up until the final whistle.
They needed a goal to give themselves a real chance of carving out a victory very much against the odds and they never really created any clear cut opportunity. Any threat on the O’Dorney goal was dealt with quite capably by a most confident and capable custodian Brian Donovan.
Maybe, there was a bit of complacency on the part of Abbeydorney once they had opened up a significant scoring advantage. However, credit Ballyheigue who weren’t in any way outclassed and in the second half they hurled with the belief that they could salvage the situation.
In the end, they fell short against an O’Dorney side who got the job done, and, maintained their interest in this year’s competition. However, they will be only too well aware that the level of their performance overall in this particular game is unlikely to be sufficient at the next stage of the competition.
James O’Connor with a magnificent effort from way out on the touch line swapped early points with Diarmuid Walsh who opened Ballyheigue’s account with a pointed free in the fifth minute.
With the aforementioned O’Connor operating to very good effect out wide in a two man full forward line O’Dorney dominated the opening quarter and a goal from Niall O’Mahony after he had latched onto a loose ball inside the last defender meant that they led 1-4 to 0-1 at the end of the opening quarter.
Ballyheigue did effect some penetrating runs through the heart of the Abbeydorney defence, but they were unable to breach the last line of their rearguard unit who effected some timely hooks and
blocks.
A second goal in the twentieth minute, when Nigel Roche’s quick free caught the Ballyheigue defense unawares, setting up Ronan Donovan who applied an emphatic finish, to increase his side’s advantage to 2-5 to 0-1.
Aidan Healy was denied shortly afterwards with another goal opportunity, but a strong finish to the first half by Ballyheigue yielded three unanswered points to still leave ten points between the teams at the interval, 2-8 to 0-4.
Two points from play from the impressive Philip Lucid brought Ballyheigue closer within five minutes of the restart, but three unanswered scores from Nigel Roche meant that Abbeydorney had restored a comfortable advantage 2-12 0-6 by the end of the third quarter.
However, with Ronan Kenny prominent and Philip Lucid productive, Ballyheigue narrowed the gap and were seven points adrift 2-12 0-11 entering the final ten minutes of play.
The crossbar had denied Jason Casey of what could have been a goal when he made contact to a lofted delivery and if Ballyheigue had managed to reduce the margin to four points it could well have tested O’Dorney’s character and capabilities.
Mark Dineen, and Danny Casey continued to defend with a lot of determination for Ballyheigue as indeed did Brendan O’Leary and Kieran Dineen at the other end, but while Ballyheigue outscored Abbeydorney in the second half it was those two first half goals which proved to be the difference in the end.
Similar to last season Ballyheigue have failed to progress beyond the second round. However, their performances had a lot of plus points, not least their never say die attitude. Ultimately they fell short, but, it shouldn’t in any way dampen their enthusiasm and expectation as they endeavour to make further progress.
Abbeydorney were semi-finalists last year, and, if they can negotiate the next hurdle and qualify for the penultimate stage once again, maybe, they can have a say at the business end of the season. However, it’s likely that it will depend on whether Michael O’Leary is back on home soil and available for the latter stages.
BALLYHEIGUE: John Mike Pierce, Danny Casey, Damien Casey, Mark Dineen, Jason Griffin (0-1), Colin Mahony, Chris Mahony, Tommy O’Connor, Diarmuid Walsh (0-3, 1f), Adrian Flahive (0-1), Philip Lucid (0-7, 4f), Conor Galway, Ronan Kenny, Jason Casey, Pa Regan (0-1) Subs: Thomas Casey for C Galway, Padraig Behan for C O Mahony, Mark Mulvihill for A Flahive
ABBEYDORNEY: Brian Donovan, Darragh Scanlon, Eoin Egan, Niall O’Connell, Daniel O’Leary (0-1), Brendan O’Leary, Kieran Dineen, PJ Kane, Brian O’Leary, James O’Connor (0-3), Nigel Roche (0-8, 6f, 1 ‘65’), Aidan Healy, Niall O’Mahony (1-0) Mike Hannifin, Ronan Donovan (1-1) Subs: David Egan for M Hannifin, David Doyle for D Scanlon, JP Byrnes for B O’Leary, Robert Murphy for A Healy
REFEREE: Michael O’Mahony (Cork)