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Post by Ballyfireside on Dec 10, 2017 16:57:53 GMT
Latest update is that Youtube KO is 6pm, clash with another derby of United vs City - no contest really, sure Duffers wud beat pick of both of 'em!
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Post by veteran on Dec 10, 2017 17:19:55 GMT
Ballydonoghue 1-13 Ballyduff 1-4 HT 1-5 0-3 I have rarely worn so many layers of clothes and yet I came home numb. Thankfully the rain eased off. Worth it? Well it was a finall and the first half was very competitive and there were some fine individual performances , especially from some of Ballydonoghue's lesser lights. Ultimately , class prevailed. After a tentative start, Ballydonoghue emerged as the superior team, vastly superior indeed. That achievement is all the more meritorious when one considers that after twenty more minutes of the first half they were reduced to fourteen men when Martin O'Mahony was correctly dismissed for striking.
It looked so different for the first twenty minutes or so as Ballydonoghue seemed to be hamstrung by the occasion or intimidated by the reputed resolve of their opponents. Either way, they were only a shadow of the team we saw last week. Ballyduff had the first two scores, both from frees, playing against the strong wind. Paul Costelloe was dominating midfield for Ballyduff, indeed during that period he was the best player on the pitch. It seemed that Ballydonoghue would never score, or if they did they would be ground down by physicality and stubbornness of Ballyduff. Then two things happened the first of which should have underlined Ballyduff's grip on proceedings . The first incident was the aforementioned sending off of Martin. Rather than undermining them it seemed to flick a switch in the Ballydonoghue psyche. Thomas Kennelly moved from wing back to midfield on the hitherto rampant Paul Costelloe . He markedly reduced the influence of Paul and emerged as one of Ballydonoghue heroes. The entire team lifted themselves , running at Ballyduff and matching their physical approach. This attitude quickly led to the second important incident of the match, indeed the turning point. A wonderful move was engineered down the College side with wingbaxk Jack,Gogarty seminallly involved . The ball reaxhed wing forward Darragh Sheehy who made some ground and planted it. It was splendid from two standpoints. It was of remarkable quality considering the conditions and it was priceless in the sense that it put a shaky Ballydonoghue on the highway while at the same time putting a dagger through the heart of Ballyduff , immediately nullifying their numerical advantage.
If Darragh never again scores a goal the memory of this one will sustain him for the rest of his life. Furthermore, it was appropriate that Darragh scored it because he was superb form start to finish. He possesses power and pace and determination and class and smart brain. Is he young enough for under twenty next year? Some points followed that goal and essentially it was ten minute period before half time when the issue was sealed.
Miley Boyle had an early free in the second half to leave four in it with a strong wind at their backs. Could there be a revival? Shortly afterwards Paul Kennelly curled over a beauty from close to sideline . That was the answer , no revivlal. There was going to be no denying an outstanding Ballydonoghue team. They were lord and masters of that second half. The back line was unyielding , Eamon Walsh powered into the game at midfield , Brian OSeanachain was a cerebral and diving influence on the forty and Paul Kennelly was clever and inventive at full forward, kicking six from frees and one from play.. Ballyduff got a late consolation goal from a game Jack Goulding but only Jack himself will reap any satisfaction from that . His team were mauled by opponents who operated on a different planet for the decisive period of the ga e.
Ballyduff did not succumb meekly was one would expect . There were times when their approach crossed the line . Certainly, they should have finished with fourteen men after Michael Foley was chopped down after delivering a ball, as a result of which Michael had to be helped off. The culprit got away with black. Paul,OCarroll , Paul Costelloe, Jack Goulding and the irrepressible Milkey Boyle could scarcely have given more. But as competitive as they historically are they will readily admit they were dismembered by a class outfit. I suspect they will not dwell on it for too long . Rather they will reflect on their remarkable hurling year. That will eradicate the dreariness of today and the dreariness of the winter. A remarkable club deserves that solace.
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