Ballyduff produce stunning comeback against Ballyheigue to book spot in Kerry SHC final
Pádraig Boyle of Ballyduff during the Kerry County Senior Hurling Championship. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.
A phenomenal second half comeback from Ballyduff booked their place the championship decider - their third in four years - as they oozed class to get past a gallant Ballyheigue.
For the second week in a row, Padraig Boyle’s second half cameo (25 mins because of injured calf), and goals from Aidan O’Connor and Killian Boyle helped them to victory.
A blistering start saw Ballyheigue race into a four point lead by the 13th minute. While they started sluggish - hitting three wides - Colin Walsh, Philip Lucid, and consecutive scores from Feilim O’Sullivan, certainly had Ballyduff rocked.
The Duffers came into the game right as the wet, opening quarter came to an end. Dylan Moriarty pointed a free in the 15th minute, before adding two more frees by the 21st to leave just a point between the teams.
By the 24th minute, the teams were level for the first time of asking with Aidan O’Connor and Moriarty’s fourth bringing Ballyduff back into contention.
But as the opening half concluded the men from Ballyheigue would lead at the break, as O’Sullivan converted another free to see them ahead 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval.
Ballyduff wasted no time getting into gear after the break. It did take some nervy moments, Ballyheigue went two points clear before Nathan Guerin was denied a goal by a sharp Darragh Quinlan save.
The game then turned moments later. Jack Enright carved through the Ballyheigue defence before teeing up Aidan O’Connor, who coolly finished to the net for Ballyduff’s first goal, and their first lead of the day at 1-5 to 0-7.
But enter Podge Boyle in the 35th minute and the momentum shifted dramatically as Adam Segal, Podge Boyle, Evan Boyle, and Jack Enright all registered scores as Ballyduff moved into a commanding position.
Padraig Boyle was particularly influential, showcasing his class with a pair of outstanding efforts, including one with his back to goal while on the deck.
Feilim O’Sullivan and Luke Rochford traded scores, and Colin Walsh gave Ballyheigue renewed hope in the 49th minute with a superbly taken goal to bring it back to 1-12 to 1-9.
However, Ballyduff responded instantly. Killian Boyle launched a high ball into the square, and Padraig Boyle pounced when it dropped, but in the move the sliotar landed into the net past Daniel O’Loughlin.
Another goal looked on the cards as O’Loughlin pulled off a save moments later to deny Boyle another. Ballyheigue kept the scoreboard ticking with scores from O’Sullivan, Colin Walsh, and Gaynor.
As the clock ticked down, Enright, Podge Boyle (with a monster free), and Boyle again pushed Ballyduff further ahead.
Seamie Foran kept Ballyheigue alive with a goal in the 62nd minute to make it 2-17 to 2-12, but Ballyduff struck straight back when Kieran O’Carroll pointed and Eric Walsh looked to create late drama with a third Ballyheigue goal.
But it was not enough in the end.
P Boyle (0-6, 2fs), A O’Connor (1-1), K Boyle (1-0), D Moriarty (0-4, 3fs), S Carrig (0-2), E Boyle, A Segal, J Enright, L Rochford, K O’Carroll (0-1 each).
F O’Sullivan (0-7, 3fs), C Walsh (1-2), E Walsh, S Foran (1-0 each), T Gaynor (0-2), P Lucid (0-1).
D Quinlan; JP O’Carroll, DK Tyrell, K O’Connor; D O’Carroll, S Slattery, E Boyle; A Segal, J Segal; A Kavanagh, J Enright, D Moriarty; A O’Connor, L Rochford, K Boyle.
K O’Carroll for K Boyle (4-7 min temp), K O’Carroll for A O’Connor (16-18 min temp), P Boyle for DK Tyrell (35), S Carrig for A Kavanagh (52), K O’Carroll for L Rochford (54), R O’Connor for D Moriarty (60+3).
D O’Loughlin; S Foran, 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, P Kenny.
E Walsh for N Guerin (40), A Thornton for D O’Sullivan (54).
P O’Mahony (Cork).
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