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Friday, September 09, 2005
GAA: Kennedy goals sink Tallow
By: Phil Fanning
Top Oil County Senior Hurling Championship
BALLYDUFF LOWER 5-11 TALLOW 1-11
THOUGH both teams had not played a championship tie since early May, Ballyduff looked by far the more eager side as they settled quickly to usher Tallow out of the championship and into a relegation battle with Portlaw.
There was no let up in the teeming rain as this game started and inside two minutes the Tallow defence was exposed as Jack Kennedy blasted Ballyduff into an early lead with a goal from a 20 metre free following a foul on Richie Barron. Though Sean Slattery quickly replied with a Tallow point it was very obvious that Ballyduff were the sharper and hungrier side as Pat Matthews and Brian Power began to dominate midfield.
GOALS WIN GAMES
Pat Fitzgerald his Ballyduff’s first point from a free before Jack Kennedy made a great catch at the edge of the Tallow square to set up Richie Barron for his side’s second goal with just nine minutes played.
Again, Sean Slattery replied with a point for Tallow but in the 18th minute Kennedey again outjumped the Tallow defence to snatch a Brian Power delivery before shooting to the net for Ballyduff’s third and his second goal.
Two points from frees by James Murray kept Tallow in touch but they were quickly cancelled out by points from Ger Harris and Pat Fitzgerald. In the closing minutes of the half, Tallow were lifted by points from Paul Kearney and Paul O’Brien but trailing 3-3 to 0-6, they had it all to do in the second period facing into the wind.
Both sides shared six points in the opening ten minutes of the second half but Ballyduff soon tightened their grip on the game with points from Ger Harris and Pat Fitzgerald before the end of the third quarter.
Then, in the 47th minute, came goal number four as Richie Barron beat three defenders in the left corner position to put Jack Kennedy through for his third goal. Pat Fitzgerald and Conor Kenny followed up with points from frees and the game was as good as over.
Tallow kept on battling as Paul Kearney shot over the bar with the goal at his mercy and in the 50th minute, sub, David O’Brien’s goal on the rebound gave his side a glimmer of hope. That was shortlived, however, as Shane Larkin replied for Ballyduff. Mark Geary’s point in the 53rd minute made it a three goal game but the issue was well decided before Ballyduff’s Dave Power had the last word in stoppage time when he pushed the ball over the line following a fumbled save.
BALLYGUNNER NEXT
Overall it was an impressive display by Ballyduff despite the poor weather conditions. Brian O’Leary was safe in goal with John O’Leary, Derek Van Veen and Conor Kenny outstanding in defence. Pat Matthews and Brian Power always held the upper hand in midfield while Jack Kennedy, Richie Barron and Pat Fitzgerald always had the Tallow defence in trouble.
For Tallow, Aidan Kearney, James Murray, Brian Henley and Paul Kearney were best. Ballyduff now go on to face Ballygunner for the second time in this year’s championship while Tallow will face into a relegation play off with Portlaw.
Scorers: Ballyduff: J. Kennedy 3-0, P. Fitzgerald 0-5, R. Barron 1-1, G. Harris 0- 2, C. Kenny 0-2, S. Larkin 0-1. Tallow: D. O’Brien 1-0, S. Slattery 0-2, P. Kearney 0- 2, J. Murray 0-2, B. Henley 0-2, A. Kearney 0-1, M. Geary 0-1, P. O’Brien 0-1.
BALLYDUFF LR: B. O’Leary, D. Power, J. O’Leary, A. Dunne, D. Van Veen, C. Kenny, N. Power, P. Matthews, B. Power, P. Fitzgerald, G. Harris, S. Larkin, Dale Power, J. Kennedy, R. Barron.
TALLOW: E. Forbes, M. O’Brien, C. Cunningham, K. Kearney, A. Kearney, S. McCarthy, M. Geary, J. Murray, B. Henley, S.F. McCarthy, W. Murphy, S. Slattery, P. O’Brien, P. Kearney. Subs; Ml. O’Brien for Murphy; W. McDonnell for Cunningham; D. O’Brien for Ml. O’Brien.
Referee: V. O’Toole (Roanmore).
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