Abbeydorney cruise into Kerry SHC final after dominant display over Ballyheigue 

It was a dominant display from Abberydorney who seal their final spot.

INTO FINAL: 

Garvey's Supervalu SHC Semi Final: Abbeydorney 1-18 Ballyheigue 0-10

Abbeydorney effortlessly advanced to this year’s Garvey’s SuperValu SHC final as they brushed aside the challenge of a youthful Ballyheigue side in this one sided semi-final on Saturday afternoon in Austin Stack Park.

Abbeydorney, who had the strong wind to their backs in the opening half, made Ballyheigue pay as they completely dominated in all sectors of the pitch and by half time it was almost game over as they led by ten points (0-12 to 0-02). 

Ballyheigue just never got going in the second half with the wind and they continued to shoot far too many wides as well as being unable to pierce a resolute Abbeydorney defence where the half-back line of James O’ Connor, Ronan Donovan and Jedd Maunsell were outstanding.

Abbeydorney raced 0-05 to 0-00 clear at the end of the opening quarter thanks to points from Calum O’ Sullivan, Mikey Clifford, Oisin Maunsell and two Michael O’ Leary frees. Felim O’ Sullivan was trying hard for Ballyheigue but they only managed four wides in that quarter and the writing was on the wall. 

Abbeydorney continued their dominance in the second quarter and added five unanswered points from David Egan, Ronan Donovan and three Michael O’ Leary frees before Michael Leane scored Ballyheigue’s only first half point from play. The O’ Leary brothers Michael and Daniel ended the half in style for Abbeydorney with Philip Lucid getting a late free for the losers but they did have a goal chance in the 25th minute when Michael Leane saw his effort being cleared off the line by Jedd Maunsell.

Ballyheigue needed a good start to the second half but instead they shot four wides in a row and after an inspirational James O’ Connor point for Abbeydorney - the game was over as a contest in 36 minutes when Brendan O’ Leary found Oisin Maunsell and he beat two defenders before blasting the ball to the Ballyheigue net. Maunsell then added another point from play while Philip Lucid converted two frees in the third quarter for Ballyheigue but at 1-15 to 0-04 at the end of the third quarter, Abbeydorney could turn their thoughts on to the county final in three weeks time.

To their credit Ballyheigue never gave up with Jordan Goggin, David O’ Mahony and Philip Lucid adding points, but they were never in with a shout in this contest. Maybe the occasion got to the young Ballyheigue side but the manner in which the outstanding Abbeydorney defence led by Man of the Match Jedd Maunsell meant that even an in form Ballyheigue side would always have faced an uphill task.

Scorers for Abbeydorney: M O’Leary (0-9, 8f), O Maunsell (1-2), M Clifford, J O’Connor, R Donavan, D O’Leary, C O’Sullivan, J Sheehan, and D Egan ( 0-1 each).

Scorers for Ballyheigue: P Lucid ( 0-6, 5fs), M Leane, E Walsh, D O’Mahony and J Goggin ( 0-1 each) 

ABBEYDORNEY: C Bohane; K Dineen, S Egan, M Clifford; J O‘Connor, R Donovan, J Maunsell; T O hAinifein, D O’Leary; N O’Mahoney, M O’Leary, O Maunsell; C O’Sullivan, J Sheehan, D Egan.

Subs: B O’Leary for N O’Mahony, 35, M Slattery for O Maunsell, 52, K Sheehan for D O’Leary, 55, D Hogan for M Clifford, 60(+3) 

BALLYHEIGUE: C Slattery; S Foran, 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, E Walsh, C Walsh.

Subs: D O’Mahony for B O’Riordan, 33, P Kenny for N Guerin, 39, J O’Halloran for T Gaynor, 44

Referee: C O’Regan (Cork)