Abbeydorney survive Ballyduff second half comeback to claim back-to-back Kerry SHC titles

Abbeydorney become only the fifth team to record back-to-back titles. 

FIFTH BACK TO BACK TITLE: Abbeydorney became only the fifth team to record back-to-back Kerry Senior Hurling Championship titles when they repeated last year’s final victory over Ballyduff, after a enthralling contest in the Austin Stack Park before a huge crowd. Pic: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus LTD

Garveys Supervalu Kerry SHC final: Abbeydorney 0-23  Ballyduff 0-17

Abbeydorney became only the fifth team to record back-to-back Kerry Senior Hurling Championship titles when they repeated last year’s final victory over Ballyduff, after a enthralling contest in the Austin Stack Park before a huge crowd.

Abbeydorney have now won all the trophies that can be won in Kerry over the last 18 months and can now look forward to a run in the Munster Intermediate Club Championship.

But credit Ballyduff who were five points down at half time and reduced the deficit to two points on two separate occasions in the second half after the introduction of Kevin Goulding but they could not get the goal they required as the Abbeydorney defence were not for penetrating, with James O’Connor leading like a captain should.

The game started in explosive fashion with Abbeydorney captain James O’ Connor firing over within 12 seconds as Ballyduff shot two wides. Michael O’ Leary then from a free made it two points to no score and in the fourth minute Ballyduff had a lucky escape when a ball sent through the middle by Michael Slattery saw a clearance off the line and a definite goal prevented by Daniel O’ Carroll, who cleared the line.

Michael Slattery then sprung into action in the fifth minute with a point after a great catch to lead 0-3 to 0-0 but Podge Boyle opened their scoring from a free. Oisín Maunsell then in the ninth minute made it 0-4 to 0-1, Michael O Leary missed a free and on the other end it was Podge Boyle again with another converted free. Abbeydorney's defence were on top, while up front both Oisín Maunsell and Michael Slattery were causing problems for the Ballyduff defence. A point from a free by Michael O’ Leary followed after Brendan O’ Leary was fouled in the 14th minute but Podge Boyle reduced the deficit to 0-5 to 0-3 at the end of the opening quarter.

Oisín Maunsell scored a wonder point in the 18th minute to move Abbeydorney three in front but Podge Boyle was back with a point to make it 0-6 to 0-4 as the game entered the final 10 minutes of the half. Calum O’ Sullivan from midfield scored a splendid effort but on the other side it was Evan Boyle who burst through and put the ball over to reduce the deficit to two points again. From there until half time it was Abbeydorney through Michael O’ Leary, Michael Slattery and Oisín Maunsell who added points to increase their lead as Abbeydorney retired 0-13 to 0-8 in front but Ballyduff had the wind in the second half.

Despite an early Mike O’Leary free, Ballyduff dominated in the opening 10 minutes of the third quarter adding six points with Kevin Goulding scoring an inspirational point after coming on, while Daniel Moriarty, Luke Rochford, Podge Boyle (2fs) and Jack Enright closed the gap to 0-16 to 0-14.

But sensing the game was in the balance Abbeydorney responded like champions with points from Oisin Maunsell, Ruairi Ó hAiniféin and a Michael O’Leary 65 that pushed 0-19 to 0-14 at the end of the third quarter.

Ballyduff tried hard in the final quarter but the Abbeydorney defence held firm with help from Jack Sheehan and Mike O’Leary and despite a late score when Podge Boyle threatened their goal, they countered like worthy champions with a Kevin Varian point and three Mike O’Leary points.

Scorers: Abbeydorney: M O’Leary ( 0-11, 10fs, 1x65), O Maunsell ( 0-5), M Slattery ( 0-3), J O’Connor, C O’Sullivan, K Varian and , R Ó hAiniféin ( 0-1 each).

Scorers for Ballyduff: P Boyle (0-8, 7’s), J Enright (0-3), D Moriarty and L Rochford (0-2 each), E Boyle and K Goulding (0-1 each).

ABBEYDORNEY: C Bohane; J Maunsell, S Egan, N O’Mahoney; M Clifford, R Donovan, J O’Connor; D Hogan, C O’Sullivan; D Egan, M O’Leary, J Sheehan; O Maunsell, B O’Leary, M Slattery.

Subs: K Sheehan for D Egan H/T, R Ó hAiniféin for B O’Leary 40, D O’Connell for D Hogan 50, K Varian for D O’Sullivan, J Hannon for N O’Mahony 61.

BALLYDUFF: D Quinlan; J P O’Carroll, P Boyle , K O’Connor; D O’Carroll, D Slattery, E Boyle; A Segal, J Segal; A Kavanagh, J Enright, D Moriarty; A O’Connor, L Rochford, K Boyle

Subs: K Goulding for JP O’Carroll 34, N Mangan for K Boyle 40, J O’Sullivan for A Kavanagh 43, P Costelloe for D O’Carroll 47 

Referee: J Bugler (Clare)