Walsh stars as Ballyheigue knock Lixnaw out of the Kerry SHC

Lixnaw’s interest in this year’s SHC has ended, while Ballyheigue, last year’s beaten semi-finalists, will now go into the draw for the quarter-finals.

Shane Conway. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Kerry SHC Group 2, Round 3: Ballyheigue 0-18 Lixnaw 0-14 

Ballyheigue and Lixnaw were involved in a do-or-die battle for survival in this year’s Kerry SHC and the tension showed in the opening quarter as both sides went for the jugular in this Group 2 contest.

Ballyheigue took over in the second half and, inspired by sweeper Colin Walsh, they sent Lixnaw and Shane Conway packing.

Walsh played on instinct and Ballyheigue managed their puckouts better than in last week’s loss to Kilmoyley while there was always a man on the shoulder of Walsh in the shape of Dara Kearney and Ciaran Casey, who drove forward.

Ballyheigue looked the better with Kerry senior Dara Kearney colossal for his side. 

Lixnaw were defiant at the back with Gerard Stackpoole, Aidan Mahony and Darragh Shanahan excelling and that trio made life very difficult for the Ballyheigue attack.

Ballyheigue led 0-9 to 0-7 at half time but should have been further ahead. Nathan Guerin and Philip Lucid missed goalscoring opportunities.

Lucid had four points in the opening half while Felim O’Sullivan and wing back David O’Sullivan scored a brace each.

Shane Conway scored four points while Ivan Conway, Eoghan Stack and Gavin O’Keeffe replied for Lixnaw.

Lixnaw looked they were going to make a fight of it when points from Keltyn Molloy and Shane Conway leveled the contest early in the second half. 

But once Micheal Leane pushed Ballyheigue in front, 0-10 to 0-9, they took over with Colin Walsh outstanding and 0-4 from Philip Lucid, along with points from young Felim O’Sullivan, David O’Sullivan and Ciaran Casey pushed Ballyheigue 0-18 to 0-13 clear.

Despite a Shane Conway free, Lixnaw’s interest in this year’s SHC ended, while Ballyheigue, last year’s beaten semi-finalists, will now go into the draw for the quarter-finals.

Scorers for Ballyheigue: P Lucid (0-8, 5fs), D O’Sullivan and F O’Sullivan (0-3 each), C Casey, N Guerin, M Leane and R O’Halloran (0-1 each).

Scorers for Lixnaw: S Conway (0-7, 5fs), I Conway and E Stack (0-2 each), G O’Keeffe, R Heffernan (f) and K Molloy (0-1 each).

BALLYHEIGUE: D O’Loughlin; J Goggin, D Kearney, G Slattery; J O’Halloran, C Casey, D O’Sullivan; F O’Sullivan, C Walsh; N Guerin, M Leane, R O’Halloran ; P Lucid, T Gaynor, P Kenny.

Subs: A Thornton for P Kenny (58).

LIXNAW: M Stackpoole; A Mahony, G Stackpoole, C O’Sullivan; D McElligott, D Shanahan, J McKenna; I Conway, J Galvin; S Conway, E Stack, R Heffernan; G O’Keeffe, K Molloy, M Kelliher.

Subs: J Brosnan for K Molloy (45), A Shanahan for M Kelliher (54), E McCarthy for J Galvin (57).

Referee: P O’Mahony (Cork)