The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Boyle brothers deliver double
Ballyduff 4-12 Kilmoyley 3-12
A FOUR-GOAL spread from the Boyle brothers, completed a hurling double for Ballyduff in Abbeydorney last Saturday when they added the Division One League title to the Championship crown, with what was in the end a narrow victory, having held a commanding three-goal lead at the midway point in the first half.
One felt that the celebrations after their win in the Championship might have taken some of the edge off their play, but certainly there was little evidence of that, especially at the outset of proceedings with the newly crowned champions being particularly sharp and alert and combining with great efficiency.
Kilmoyley, despite being without a competitive game since September 24, matched their opponents for long periods, and indeed, produced a vibrant second half showing which brought them right back to within striking distance, but the four first half goals converted in a six-minute spell really opened up a decisive scoring advantage, and thereafter Ballyduff always had a sufficient cushion to maintain control over proceedings, even if Kilmoyley’s second half resurgence very nearly brought about a share of the spoils with Ballyduff forced to steer the ball to safety in a frantic goalmouth scramble in the dying moments with just a goal separating the sides.
Kilmoyley were boosted by a goal in the very first minute by the outstanding Maurice O’Connor when he doubled on a ball which broke invitingly for him in the square. They were still in front 1-2 to 0-3 by the tenth minute with Tom Murnane, who was a leading light throughout converting from distance. However, Ballyduff were proving themselves to be extremely resourceful with some excellent link up play being completed by a fine score from Daniel O’Carroll in the eleventh minute. The score brought them to within a point, 1-2 to 0-4, but the floodgates then opened throughout a decisive spell with Mikey Boyle kicking the ball to the roof of the net in the twelfth minute after Aidan Boyle’s knock down had initially created the opportunity.
Padraig Boyle in space with a point on offer, opted to thread an inch perfect pass to Aidan on the edge of the square who capitalised with goal number two one minute later, and, right at the end of the first quarter another brother Liam, who was outstanding throughout squeezed in goal number three at the goalkeepers near post, with Padraig completing the Boyle goal rush in the 16th minute when he latched onto a long delivery, and, finished in some style.
Ballyduff in fact were off target with a few good scoring opportunities thereafter, and Daniel Collins rather untypically also missed a few chances from placed balls for Kilmoyley, but with Padraig Boyle producing a piece of magic for the final score of the half it ensured that his side retired for the interval fairly comfortably in front 4-6 to 1-6.
Kilmoyley resumed without the injured Paudie O’Connor, and, with a midfield pairing of Flor McCarthy and Seanie Nolan. However, with Liam Boyle on target with another point and Jack O’Sullivan extremely industrious and effective around the middle third, Ballyduff mantained their grip, but with Tom Murnane effecting some sterling defensive work, Kilmoyley kept plugging away and, were rewarded with their second goal in the fortieth minute when Maurice O’Connor tapped home from close range after Joseph McElligott’s initial effort had been blocked.
Successive points from Daniel Collins meant that the margin was reduced to five points 4-8 to 2-9 by the 47th minute with Ally O’Connor being very much a cornerstone in the Ballyduff defence. However, Maurice O’Connor’s defence splitting runs and neat finishes kept Kilmoyley’s momentum in full flow, and with Tom Murnane now relocated in the full forward line and making an impact the lads from Lerrig finished strongly with Maurice O’Connor completing his hat trick of goals in added time. They very nearly forced home an equaliser shortly afterwards, but some last gasp defending from Ballyduff saw them just about get over the line, thereby providing a valuable test and challenge for them as they prepare for the visit of Kanturk to Tralee for their Munster Championship clash on this weekend.
Similar to the County final, goals were very much the key ingredient in this particular win, and certainly their ability to strike for majors will be severely tested when they face All Star goalkeeper Anthony Nash in this upcoming encounter. It’s just one of the many aspects which will influence what promises to be a quite intriguing encounter.
BALLYDUFF: Pa Enright, Ally O’Connor, Eoin Ross, Darren O’Connor, Anthony O’Carroll, Paud Costello, Cathal Kearney, Jack Sullivan, Jack Goulding, Mikey Boyle (1-0), Daniel O’Carroll (0-2), Liam Boyle (1-1), Padraig Boyle (1-6; 0-3f, 0-1 ‘65’), Aidan Boyle (1-2), Paul O’Carroll (0-1). Subs: Chris Whyte for J Goulding, David Goulding for L Boyle, David O’Grady for D O’Connor, Gary O’Brien for A O’Carroll, Maurice Dowling for C Kearney.
KILMOYLEY: Aiden McCabe, Seanie Nolan, Kieran McCarthy, Flor Mc Carthy, Seanie Murnane, Tom Murnane (0-1), Robert Collins, Paudie O’Connor, James Godley, Jordan Brick (0-1), Daniel Collins (0-4, 1f), Luke Fitzell, Maurice O’Connor (3-4), Philip Maunsell (0-1), Joseph McElligott (0-1). Subs: Donal Kennedy for L Fitzell, John P O’Mahony for P O’Connor, James McCarthy for J McElligott.
REFEREE: Jason Mullins (Limerick)