The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
County SHC: Champions begin with a bang
pages 52-53
COUNTY SHC FIRST ROUND Ballyduff 4-19 Abbeydorney 3-7
REIGNING champions Ballyduff, with a display that was rich in endeavour and expertise, sent out a clear message to all the other contenders that they are going to be the team to beat again in this year’s competition, and for a team that at times find it difficult to get up and running in the earlier rounds they have certainly hit the ground running on this occasion.
All of the ingredients were pretty familiar, with Padraig Boyle producing a masterclass in all facets of play, his brother Aidan bagging another hat trick of goals, and the resourceful Jack Goulding providing the final link in a particularly productive full forward line, which contributed 4-15 to the final tally. Padraig Boyle and Goulding coming off the back of a season with the Kerry team were incisive and clinical in equal measure, while Aidan Boyle, as ever, provided a pretty imposing presence on the edge of the small square. O’Dorney were unable to cope or curb their input, both individually and collectively, and while Abbeydorney led briefly for a period in the first half, and reduced the deficit to just two points early in the second half, the response from Ballyduff was always pretty emphatic. Facing a pretty stiff breeze Ballyduff got off to quite an explosive start, being 0-4 to 0-0 to the good after six minutes with Padraig Boyle on target with three of those, and Daniel O’Carroll adding another from play.
More compact and controlled, Ballyduff dominated the early stages, and, while O’Dorney settled, and, got more to grips with the situation in defense they didn’t really have any real pattern to their play, especially in attack. However, with James O’Connor securing a fine score they were just three points adrift at the end of the opening quarter.
The same margin seperated the teams after twenty minutes, and one minute later the encounter was deadlocked when a short puck out from Ballyduff was intercepted and capitalised upon, with PJ Keane finishing low to the net for the game’s first goal. It provided O’Dorney with a significant boost at quite an opportune time in proceedings, given that Brian Donovan had quite brilliantly denied Padraig Boyle with a penalty save four minutes earlier.
Michael Slattery, one of his team’s most impressive performers secured his second point to put Abbeydorney marginally in front, 1-5 to 0-7, with four minutes remaining, in the half after Ballyduff again failed to convert from the penalty spot, with Padraig Boyle shooting wide of the goalkeeper’s left hand upright. However, he quickly made amends with the equalising score for Ballyduff, and then created the opportunity for Aidan Boyle to tap home Ballyduff’s first goal from close range in the 28th minute. A most dissapointing score for Abbeydorney to concede, given that seconds before the wrong option was taken in a two-on-one scoring situation.
Padraig Boyle added another brace to his seven point first half tally with Abbeydorney having registered eight wides during that same period. Ballyduff led 1-10 to 1-5 at the break, but within a minute of the restart O’Dorney were back within touching distance when a shot from a narrow angle along the end line from half time substitute Nigel Roche produced a goal, even if it appeared initially as if it might have gone wide under the net at the near post. However, after some confusion and consultation the score was allowed, but it didn’t in any way impact on Ballyduff’s challenge as they picked up the pace again with Mikey Boyle and John Hussey providing the platform for them in midfield.
They had stretched their advantage to 1-14 to 2-5 by the 40th minute, and were seven points ahead, 1-16 to 2-6, at the end of the third quarter after PJ O’Gorman at full stretch had pulled off a tremendous diving save from PJ Keane’s ground stroke. A chance for Abbeydorney in the forty sixth minute when a penalty was awarded to them, which resulted in both goalkeepers facing each other, as Brian Donovan attempted a pretty unique double having already saved a penalty in the first half. However, his well struck shot was dealt with quite superbly by the Ballyduff goalkeeper. A goal at that stage would have reduced the deficit to just four points, and, maybe might have given Abbeydorney a window of opportunity again. Two minutes later the result was put completely beyond doubt, when a long delivery was mishandled by goalkeeper Brian Donovan. A rare error from him, having performed quite well overall, and, in the resultant play Aidan Boyle bundled the ball over the goal line.
Abbeydorney continued to pursue the issue with some purpose with Aidan Healy, Brendan O’Leary, and, most especially Michael Slattery quite prominent, but, Ballyduff were by this stage firing on all cylinders, with Padraig Boyle and Goulding opening up all different lines of attack with admirable pace and control. Padraig Boyle with a piece of sublime skill set up Aidan Boyle for another tap in goal at the far post, while David Egan availed of an assist from Michael Slattery and converted a consolation goal at the other end. Having denied Padraig Boyle with a superb diving save, Brian Donovan was beaten for a fourth time shortly afterwards, this time by Goulding, even if it looked as if he might have over carried in the approach play.
It completed a comfortable, convincing, and comprehensive victory for Ballyduff, and has given their campaign the perfect start. However, it is unlikely that they will be given the same type of time and space at the next stage of the competition. Abbeydorney must pick up the pieces, and they should have Michael O’Leary back to boost their chances. However, they will face formidable opposition in St Brendans as they endeavour to mantain their interest in the competition.
BALLYDUFF: PJ O’Gorman, Thomas Slattery, Padraig O’Grady, Anthony O’Carroll, David Goulding, Paud Costello, Eoin Ross, John Hussey,(0-1), Mikey Boyle (0-1), Jack O’Sullivan, Daniel O’Carroll (0-1), Paul O’Carroll (0-1), Jack Goulding (1-5), Aidan Boyle (3-0), Padraig Boyle (0-10; 4f, 1 ‘65’). Subs: Gary O’Brien for A Boyle (blood), Aidan Boyle for G O’Brien, Darren O’Connor for T Slattery, Padraig Harrington for A Boyle, Maurice Dowling for D Goulding, Chris Whyte for P O’Carroll, Michael Hussey for P O’Grady.
ABBEYDORNEY: Brian Donovan, Niall Mahony, Stephen Egan, Kieran Dineen, Steven O’Connor, Aidan Healy, Brian O’Leary, James O’Connor (0-1), Stevie O’Sullivan (0-1f), Brendan O’Leary (0-1), PJ Keane (1-0), Michael Hanafin, David Egan (1-1), Ronan Donovan, Michael Slattery (0-3). Subs: Nigel Roche (1-0) for M Hanafin, Adam Maunsell for R Donovan.
REFEREE: Dave Copps (Cork)