Ballyduff and Kilmoyley progress

Three-in-a-row-seeking Ballyduff and their deadly rivals Kilmoyley advanced to the semi-finals of the Kerry SHC in contrasting fashion at Austin Park, Tralee.

Ballyduff eased their way past St Brendan’s Ardfert on a 3-13 to 0-13 scoreline, with full-forward and captain Aiden Boyle grabbing three goals.

St Brendan’s got off to the better start to lead 0-4 to 0-2 after 10 minutes but once Ballyduff got into their stride they brushed their opponents aside, scoring 2-3 without reply, in a nine-minute spell, with Aidan Boyle netting twice.

Tim Hannafin’s accuracy from placed balls and a couple of fine efforts by Darran Dineen, kept St Brendan’s in touch, as they trailed by five at the interval, 2-6 to 0-7.

A brace of Bobby O’Sullivan points from frees and two excellent points from young Padraig Boyle increased the champions’ lead to nine but four points in a row from St Brendan’s closed the gap and gave the losers some hope.

However, when Aidan Boyle grabbed his third goal in the 53rd minute, Ballyduff cruised into the semi-finals.

Kilmoyley also advanced to the semi-finals but after their demolition of Crotta O’Neill’s last Sunday, they were pushed all the way by a brave Abbeydorney side, eventually winning 1-16 to 1-12.

Abbeydorney got stuck into the former champions, who were well shackled by Aidan Healy, and in the 36th minute Abbeydorney actually led 1-9 to 1-7, with Kerry star Darragh O’Connell doing the damage with 1-6. But they hit three wides and a mishit free in front of goal gave Kilmoyley a sniff and the class of Shane Brick and Kerry minor Daniel Collins did the rest as they added 0-7 without reply to edge to victory by four points.

Youthful Causeway served notice they are a team to keep an eye on as they easily defeated a disappointing Ballyheigue side, 2-14 to 1-10, with Kerry minor Paul McGrath scoring 1-9 (0-4 frees) to become leading SHC scorer.

Lixnaw, without five regulars, proved too strong for near neighbours Crotta O’Neill’s, winning 0-19 to 1-9, with young Ricky Heffernan contributing 0-11 (0-10 frees) and Enda Galvin giving a man-of-the-match display.

The round three line up sees Lixnaw take on St Brendan’s and Causeway play Abbeydorney, with the winners joining Ballyduff and Kilmoyley in the semi-finals.