Ballina stay in contention with Kilruane MacDonaghs scalp

Ballina produced the shock of a busy weekend of Tipp hurling action with a 2-17 to 2-14 win over a very fancied Kilruane MacDonaghs in the North senior hurling championship at Puckane.

Kilruane have been in top form recently, but Ballina, who were Intermediate champions two years go, produced their best performance of a disappointing campaign so far, to take the victory and keep themselves in the hunt for the divisional title.

U21 football star Stephen O’Brien gave Ballina the ideal start with a goal after only a minute but Kilruane hit back for goals by Cian Darcy and Thomas Cleary to lead at half-time 2-9 to 1-9.