Shanahan turns it on for Lismore

A VIRTUOSO display by the outstanding Maurice Shanahan propelled Lismore to an impressive win over neighbours Ballyduff Upper in an exciting Waterford SHC quarter-final at Fraher Field, Dungarvan yesterday.

Shanahan was unerring from both play and frees, ending with 1-10, while his more celebrated brother Dan also impacted influentially with four quality first-half points. Ironically, it was Ballyduff who had the better start with Michael Molumphy scoring their lone goal inside three minutes after his brother Stephen had done all of the spadework. The remainder of the half, however, Lismore dominated, with the superlative scoring exploits of the Shanahan brothers the highlight.

Their goal in the 14th minute came from a 20 metre free which Maurice crashed past thedefensive wall, and with the points flowing from every angle Ballyduff were clearly in trouble.

Their five point interval lead, 1-11 to 1-6, certainly didn’t flatter Lismore, and while Ballyduff were far from being out of contention they clearly needed early second-half scores to get their challenge back on track.

Instead it was Lismore who extended their advantage with three further Maurice Shanahan points and though Ballyduff managed a mini revival through a brace of superb Stephen Molumphy points and an equally fine effort from Brendan Hannon the winners were never going to be denied.

Despite the best efforts of a tireless Tom and Ger Feeney, Stephen Molumphy, Brendan Hannon, and John Twomey it was not to be Ballyduff’s day, and in the end it was an utterly convincing victory for a Lismore outfit superbly well coached by former Cork ace Tomas Mulcahy.

Scorers for Lismore: M. Shanahan (1-10, 1-5 frees); D. Shanahan (0-4); P. Prendergast (0-2).

Scorers for Ballyduff: B. Hannon(0-8, 0-6 frees); M. Molumphy (1-0); S. Molumphy (0-2); S. Kearney(0-1).

LISMORE:B. Landers; E. Bennett, M. Coleman, P. Howard; D. O’Gorman, S. Kearney, J. Prendergast; D. Howard, S. Bennett; D. Shanahan, S. O’Keeffe. R. Barry; C. O’Gorman, M. Shanahan, P. Prendergast.

Subs: S. Heaphy for Barry(42 mins); W. Cunningham for S. Bennett(46); S. Daly for O’Keeffe(48).

BALLYDUFF UPPER: A. Power; P. Molumphy, T. Molumphy, M. McNamara; T. Feeney, Seamus Hannon, G. Feeney; S. Molumphy, Shane Hannon; J. Twomey, B. Hannon, M. Molumphy; B. Kearney, S. Kearney, J. Kearney.

Subs:J. Hannon for Shane Hannon (36); K. Casey for B. Kearney.

Referee: T O’Byrne (Erin’s Own) replaced by P Casey (Cappoquin) second-half.