Kerry SHC: Robert Collins inspires Kilmoyley to thrilling win over Ballyheigue

Robert Collins scored 1-13 for Kilmoyley in their victory over Ballyheigue. Pic: Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile

Kerry SHC Group 2: Kilmoyley 1-20 Ballyheigue 1-18 

Kilmoyley got the better of neighbours Ballyheigue in an absorbing game played in ideal conditions in the Austin Stack Park. A virtuoso performance by Robert Collins, scoring 1-13, was the key factor in the victory.

This was Kilmoyley’s first championship match without John Meyler as manager but his successor Ian Brick had the team playing typical Kilmoyley hurling, something that has served them well as they sit on top of the SHC roll of honour with 26 titles.

Ballyheigue are the young pretenders and they pushed the former champions all the way but the experience of Paudie O’Connor, Jordan Brick, Donal Kennedy, and substitute Ronan Walsh were telling factors in Kilmoyley’s win.

Ballyheigue had the wind in the opening half but could never turn possession into enough scores. Kilmoyley actually led 0-6 to 0-5 at the end of the opening quarter thanks to the unerring accuracy of Robert Collins, assuming the free taking duties from his brother Daniel who was playing his first game of the year due to a troublesome injury.

Robert Collins contributed five of the six points with Jordan Brick getting the other while Philip Lucid with three points and one each from Ciaran Casey and Colin Walsh replied for Ballyheigue.

Micheal Leane was playing as sweeper for Ballyheigue which appeared a waste as they had the wind and he has pace and power to carve open a defence.

The sides continued to swap points until the 26th minute when Kilmoyley struck for a goal after David McCarthy cut through the Ballyheigue defence to set up Jordan Brick, whose initial effort was parried but it fell to Robert Collins who stroked the ball to the net.

Ballyheigue hit back within two minutes when Tomas Gaynor set up centre back Ciaran Casey who rifled the ball to the Kilmoyley net. Nathan Guerin and Philip Lucid added points as Ballyheigue led 1-11 to 1-9 at the interval.

Casey pushed his side three clear early in the second half but points from Daniel Collins, David McCarthy, Paudie O’Connor leveled the contest before the introduction of the injured Ronan Walsh and some awesome fetching by Jordan Brick saw Kilmoyley grab a firm grip on proceedings. 

Robert Collins was unerring as they moved three clear but Ballyheigue thanks points from Guerin, Felim O’Sullivan, Lucid (2) and an Padraig Kenny equalizer had the sides tied at 1-17 apiece.

Kilmoyley finished the stronger with Collins nailing three more placed balls while Lucid could only add another free as Kilmoyley hung on for a two point win.

Scorers for Kilmoyley: R Collins ( 1-13, 8fs, 2x65’s), J Brick and D Collins ( 0-2 each), B O’Connor, D McCarthy and P O’Connor ( 0-1 each).

Scorers for Ballyheigue: P Lucid (0-9, 6fs), C Casey (1-2), N Guerin (0-3), C Walsh (0-2), F O’Sullivan and P Kenny (0-1 each).

KILMOYLEY: J B O’Halloran; F McCarthy, J Casey, D Kennedy; J Godley, D Regan , D Nolan; P O’Connor, S Nolan; J Brick, D McCarthy, B O’Connor ; P Maunsell, D Collins, R Collins.

Subs: R Walsh for D Regan (40), T Godley for P Maunsell (47), D Corridon for D McCarthy (62), 

BALLYHEIGUE: D O’Loughlin; A Thornton, D Kearney, G Slattery; J O’Halloran, C Casey, D O’Sullivan; F O’Sullivan, C Walsh; N Guerin, M Leane, J Goggin; P Lucid, , T Gaynor, R O’Halloran Subs: P Kenny for A Thornton (38), D Horgan for J Goggin (50) 

Referee: C O’Regan (Cork)