GAA: Ballyduff Lower take title after rout

Ballyduff Lower 2-9 Stradbally 1-5

Victory was assured in a decisive 60 seconds in the latter stages of the opening half. In the 24th minute, Stephen O’Leary goaled after a wonderful movement which he had started, and within a minute, Richard Barron scored his side’s second goal as Stradbally struggled.

With 2-3 on the scoreboard, Ballyduff remained firmly in control at the break, with Stradbally’s lone point coming from a Liam O’Brien free in added time.

O’Brien in fact was his side’s only scorer, his five points coming from frees and the goal from an expertly converted 51st minute penalty which briefly gave his side a glimmer of hope. But it was short-lived as points from Kevin Millea and the outstanding Barron completed the rout.

Scorers for Ballyduff; R. Barron(1-2); S. O’Leary(1-0); J. Kennedy(0-3); K. Millea(0-2); B. O’Leary, A. Whelan(0-1) each.

Stradbally; L. O’Brien(1-5, 0-5 frees, 1-0 penalty).

BALLYDUFF LOWER: T. Whelan; D. Ryan. T. Whelan. C. Kenny; P. Fitzgerald. P. Matthews. S. Larkin; J.Kennedy. J. O’Leary; B. O’Leary. R. Barron. K. Millea; A. Whelan. J. Kinsella. S. O’Leary; Sub; T. Larkin for Whelan.

STRADBALLY: T. McGrath; R.Halpin. D. Power. T. Kiely; S. Lannon. E.Clancy. K.Coffey; D. Doyle. N. Cusack; S. Lawlor. T. Gough. P.Kiely; P. Weldon. B. Cleary. L. O’Brien; Subs; R. Fennell for Halpin; N. Drohan for Cleary.

Referee: D. O’Leary, Erins Own.