Killeedy pip Ballybrown after Hayes’ late flurry of points

Killeedy 1-14

It was a game the West Limerick club, already beaten by Pallasgreen, simply had to win to draw level with Ballybrown, earlier winners over Monaleen, in their League section.

After a bright start, in which they led 0-3 to 0-1, it all went horribly wrong for Ballybrown after full-forward Seán Hayes was red-carded on 10 minutes.

Yet, they still managed to control the match up to half-time when, thanks mainly to the excellent marksmanship of Alan O’Connor, they led 0-7 to 0-5.

However, their depleted team found the going difficult on the change of ends as Killeedy, with a spring in their step, took command on the scoreboard with a cracking goal from Roger Hayes on 41 minutes.

They then lost concentration and when Niall Doolin bundled the ball over the line six minutes later, it was all to play for again, at 1-10 a-piece.

Killeedy, with scores from Joe Hayes and Pat Cremin, were given more breathing space but O’Connor made it a very tight finish when he pulled one back from a free. Killeedy, who had introduced Don Flynn, stood firm.

Scorers: Killeedy, R. Hayes 1-4, J. Hayes 0-3, P. Cremin, J. Fitzmaurice, Michael Downes (0-2) each, T. McEniry 0-1.

Ballybrown:A. O’Connor 0-8, P. McCarthy 0-3, N. Doolin 1-1, R. Bourke 0-1.

KILLEEDY:J. Cunningham; J. Curtin, D. Cremin, P. Breen, P. Casey, C. Deely, T. McEnery; J. Kelleher, P. Cremin; R. Cunningham, J. Hayes, D. O’Connor, R. Hayes, M. Downes, J. Fitzmaurice. Subs. C. Mullane for D. O’Connor, D. Flynn for Cunningham.

BALLYBROWN: D. Lyons; D. Normoyle, J. O’Connor, R. Graham, M. Byrnes, D. Kenny, R. Quinn; R. Burke, S. Kiely; R. Hartigan, P. McCarthy, A. O’Connor, R. Kenny, S. Hayes, N. Doolin. Sub. L. Burke for Kiely

Referee: D. Richardson (Doon).

Bruree 3-11

Cappamore 1-11

BRUREE picked up their first brace of points with a two goal win over Cappamore, at Claughaun. In a tightly contested first-half they turned over with a 1-5 to 0-5 advantage, with Pat Lane having claimed their goal.

Cappamore, involved in relegation battles over the last four years, were in with a shout for most of the second half but then lost their way after Conor O’Brien raised two green flags.

Liam Hammersley found the net at the other end but it arrived too late to make a difference.

Scorers: Bruree: C. O’Brien 2-1, P. Lane 1-0, JC O’Brien, JV O’Brien, S. O’Connell 0-2 each, S. O’Halloran, E. Morrissey, S. O’Keeffe, J. O’Brien 0-1 each.

Cappamore: L. Cronin 0-5, L. Hammersley 1-0, N. Hayes 0-4, D. O’Dwyer 0-2.

The main talking point of the weekend fixture list was the return of former Allstar Gary Kirby to senior grade with Patrickswell, and what an impact he made with a scoring burst of 2-4 in their easy 3-12 to 0-10 win over Na Piarsaigh.

The ‘Well are now guaranteed a place in the quarter finals, as are Doon who came from behind to beat Garryspillane 2-10 to 0-13, with corner forward Michael McKenna scoring 2-7.

Na Piarsaigh, the only inner city representatives, have virtually kissed good bye to their prospects.