Kingpins Kilshannig stave off Ballyhea’s late rally

Kilshannig1-14Ballyhea 2-10

The opening quarter was very close with the sides level five times within the opening 17 minutes.

However, Kilshannig struck a purple patch with Liam Casey and Trevor O’Regan striking points and Killian O’Hanlon hitting a long range pointed free to open up a three-point lead.

Ryan Hanley replied with a pointed free for Ballyhea.

Ballyhea’s Aidan Crowley was in great form at centre back and a good movement started by Luke Hanley Kieran O’Donoghue Dean Copps, Jonathan McCarthy, and Ian Ronan led to a great save by Michael Twomey from Gavin Morrissey.

Kilshannig restored their lead when Damian Murphy pointed a free. The Glantane side moved four clear when a foul on Cian Nagle led to another pointed free by O’Regan.

Then Richie Ryan was fouled and a penalty awarded nearing half-time. Trevor O’Regan goaled and Kilshannig led 1-11 to 0-7 at the break.

Ballyhea had the wind on the restart and had early points from Gavin Morrissey. Kilshannig introduced Tadgh Twomey, who did very well, and moved Liam Casey to full forward. Then Casey pointed with Cian Nagle following with a fine point.

However, Ballyhea picked up their game considerably with Aidan Crowley, Ian Ronan and Jonathan McCarthy doing well. But they lacked scoring power and missed three good goal scoring chances.

However, they did manage a goal midway through the half when Crowley put McCarthy through for a goal to make it 1-13 to 1-9. Trevor O’Regan pointed another free with Ballyhea dominating the last 12 minutes.

Dean Copps pointed and just four points separated the sides, but then Ballyhea had a Ryan Hanley penalty saved by Twomey.

They had a second goal deep in injury time but time ran out and Kilshannig were crowned champions.

Scorers for Kilshannig: T O’Regan 1-6 (4fs, 1-0 pen) C Nagle, L Casey 0-2 each, F McCarthy, D O’Mahony D Murphy (f) K O’Hanlon (f) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballyhea: J McCarthy 2-1, R Hanley 0-3 (1f, 1 65) E Morrissey, D Copps, G Morrissey 0-2 each.

KILSHANNIG: M Twomey, S McCarthy, R O’Mahony, M Sheehan, I Twomey, K O’Hanlon, D Finnegan, L Casey, D Murphy, J O’Regan, F McCarthy, D O’Mahony, T O’Regan, R Ryan, C Nagle.

Subs: T Twomey for R Ryan, B O’Hanlon for J O’Regan.

BALLYHEA: D O’Riordan, L Hanley, D Mackessy, K O’Riordan, J McCarthy, A Crowley, S Coleman, K O’Donoghue, I Ronan, D Copps, G Morrissey, I Curtin, D Ronan, E Morrissey R Hanley.

Subs: T J Garvey for I Curtin (inj) J O’Flaherty for R Hanley.

Referee: Michael Sheehan (Liscarroll).