Kelly goal helps Ballyea get off to winning start

Ballyea got the defence of their Clare and Munster titles off to a winning start at Cusack Park, Ennis yesterday. The All-Ireland club runners-up saw off the challenge of Wolfe Tones na Sionna and came out 1-16 to 0-12 winners in the end, having lead by 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.

The Shannon club put it up to the champions and were never more than a score adrift until the 51st minute, when Ballyea stalwart Tony Kelly struck the game’s only goal. His team-mate Niall Deasy hit the last four points to ensure the title-holders will be in the winners’ group for the next round. Wolfe Tones head to the losers group and will need to add to their scoring power as only Aaron Shanagher (0-8) and Aaron Cunningham (0-4) got on the scoresheet.

Inagh/Kilnamona will join Ballyea in the winners pot as a result of a 2-12 to 2-10 victory over Crusheen at Cusack Park on Saturday. They led 1-6 to 0-6 at the break thanks to an Evan McNamara goal from a line ball. Conor Tierney added a point after the restart and David Fitzgerald’s goal left Inagh/Kilnamona 2-7 to 0-6 ahead after 32 minutes. A goal from a penalty later in the half by Tuohy kept Crusheen in the hunt but even a second goal by Cian Dillon in injury-time couldn’t prevent an Inagh/Kilnamona triumph.