Kerry SHC: Ballyheigue produce after the interval to shock Kilmoyley
ON-FORM: Kerry hurler Colin Walsh was the difference-maker for Ballyheigue. Pic: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD.
Ballyheigue caused a major upset in this SHC group two game at Austin Stack Park as they defeated hot favourites and 2021 champions Kilmoyley after a tremendous second half display.
It has been a championship full of surprises already, as this Ballyheigue upset follows a superb display by newcomers Tralee Parnells on Friday night when they ran Lixnaw to just a two-point loss.
Ballyheigue had the stand-out performer in Kerry senior Colin Walsh, who played the sweeper role at the back to perfection.
Kilmoyley had other things on their mind and were without some key performers including Paudie and Maurice O’Connor, Daniel Collins and Colman Savage.
Kilmoyley got off to a dream start when they raced 0-4 to 0-0 in front with all four being scored by Ronan Walsh.
Kilmoyley had a strong wind to their backs and eventually, Philip Lucid got Ballyheigue up and running in the 8th minute when he converted a difficult free.
Darragh Corridon then added the only non-Ronan Walsh first-half point from play as Philip Lucid, with two frees, and Eric O’Connor closed the gap to 0-6 to 0-3 in favour of Kilmoyley at the end of the opening quarter.
Colin Walsh, Dara Kearney and Graham Slattery were defending with determination and Kilmoyley jcould not unlock the Ballyheigue defence.
Ronan Walsh and Lucid kept swapping points from frees as Kilmoyley took a tenuous two-point lead into half time, as they led 0-9 to 0-7.
However, considering Ballyheigue would have the strong wind to their backs for the second period, they were the happier side at the interval.
Kilmoyley had only a Ronan Walsh free to show for a number of early second-half attacks, while Ballyheigue were missing the target and only had a Felim O’Sullivan point to show for a lot of possession.
Points from Brian O’Riordan and Philip Lucid followed, while Philip Maunsell's reply left the game on a knife edge, 0-11 to 0-10 at the end of the third quarter.
But then with Colin Walsh and Micheal Leane thundering into the game, Ballyheigue took over and scored 0-6 without reply with Lucid getting five.
Ballyheigue moved 0-16 to 0-11 clear with only five minutes left on the clock.
Kilmoyley never gave up and tried to the end but only managed two more Ronan Walsh points as Ballyheigue, with Colin Walsh in a belligerent mood, held on for their first championship win since 2022.
Scorers for Ballyheigue: P Lucid (0-12, 10 fs, 1’65), F O’Sullivan (0-2), B O’Riordan and E Walsh (0-1 each).
R Walsh (0-11, 7fs, 1’65)), D Corridon and P Maunsell (0-1 each)
C Slattery; S Ó Fuaráin, D Kearney, G Slattery; J Goggin, C Casey, D O’Sullivan; F O’Sullivan, T Gaynor; M Leane, N Guerin, B O’Riordan; P Lucid 0-12, E Walsh, C Walsh.
J B O’Halloran; D Kennedy, C Fitzell, F McCarthy; D Corridon, D Fitzell, J Godley; R Collins, P Maunsell; J Brick, D McCarthy, R Walsh 0-11; B O’Connor, D Nolan, J Godley.
L Flaherty for Collins (38), T Godley for James Godley, inj (47), T Maunsell for Nolan (60).
E Stapleton (Limerick).
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