Goal-hungry Ballymacelligott outclass Buttevant to claim Munster glory 

Ballymacelligott's Jack Joy shoots from Buttevants' Aaron Trimm during the AIB Munster club JFC final at Mallow. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Munster Club JFC final: Ballymacelligott 3-12 (3-1-10) Buttevant 0-8 (0-2-4) 

First blood on this weekend feast of Cork-Kerry final battles to the Kingdom. A most convincing tone-setter it was too by Ballymacelligott. The mantle thrown down to An Ghaeltacht and Dingle to follow suit.

After numerous near misses on the local front, the Ballymac lads swept to provincial glory at the first attempt. A 20th victory for Kerry teams in this Munster Club JFC. From 23 editions of the competition, the stranglehold has resumed after the Kilmurry win of 12 months ago.

Niall Collins and Cathal Dunne embraced in jubilation as they were subbed off in second-half injury-time. Even if they weren’t as public about it, the mood was similarly buoyant at half-time. They finished their half hour into the wind with a one-point lead.

Their opponents didn’t score from play in the second period. A pair of Conor Hanlon frees, on 40 and 63 minutes respectively, represented their opponents' second-half total. Kevin Crowley and Mark Lenahan were put through for third quarter goal chances. ‘Keeper Christy Leen twice denied them. A second half of absolutely nothing going right for Buttevant.

Following the first of those saves, the play ended with Niall Collins orange at the far end. An unanswered 2-5 told the story of a final flowing in only one direction.

Midfielder Aidan Breen continually ghosted forward and kicked points. Mairtín McKivergan’s superb individual showing was capped with a 48th-minute major. Jack Joy, who had been their other outstanding threat throughout, was fouled for a 58th-minute penalty and dispatched so confidently.

Ballymacelligott were bouncing at half-time. Darragh Broderick slapped the hand of teammate Micheál Reidy as they disappeared back down the tunnel. The midfielder and half-back were two of their into-the-wind scorers.

Buttevant were in bother. Serious bother. Two orange flags inside three minutes. Then no score for 24 minutes. Their passing in the opposition half was sheepish and so easily telegraphed.

More telling than even the 1-4 to 0-6 interval scoreline in favour of the Kerry champions was that Ballymac, into the wind, had manufactured and taken 10 shots at the opposition posts, one more than their elements-backed opponents.

Ballymac controlled the opening half. Their movement was sharper and more purposeful. This movement saw them draw fouls at much greater frequency.

Mairtín McKivergan was both a ball-winner and bountiful source of frees. The centre-forward was fouled for their opening free converted by Aidan Breen. He later won the kickout and played the pass to Jack Joy, which resulted in another foul and Breen converted free.

Having responded to the Mark Lenahan and David Hanlon orange flags to draw level at 0-4 apiece on 16 minutes, they hit the front for the first time seven minutes later. Anthony O’Neill slipped, Ballymac pounced to pinch possession. Ball worked to full-forward Donal Daly for an emphatic green-flag finish.

Seamus Madigan ended the Buttevant scoring drought. A breakaway move of fluid passing. There had been so little of such from the Cork Premier Junior champions across the 27 minutes previous. Conor Hanlon reduced the deficit to the minimum. A two-point free on the stroke of half-time to recapture the lead dropped short. Their afternoon worsened from there.

Ballymac's afternoon will go long into the night. Their season will go on until after Christmas.

Scorers for Ballymacelligott: J Joy (1-0 pen), D Daly (0-1 free), M McKivergan (1-1 each); A Breen (0-4, 0-2 frees); N Collins (tp); M Reidy, D Broderick, D Keane (0-1 each).

Scorers for Buttevant: C Hanlon (0-3, 0-2 frees); D Hanlon (0-2, tp free), M Lenahan (0-2, tp); S Madigan (0-1).

Ballymacelligott: C Leen; E Moriarty D O’Shea, E Creedon; M Reidy, T Brick, C Dunne; A Breen, D Broderick; J Joy, M McKivergan, A Sheehy; D Regan, D Daly, N Collins.

Subs: D Keane for Regan (42)’ B Cassidy for Broderick (60); A Rogers for Moriarty, D Galvin for Collins, S Rice for Dunne (all 62).

Buttevant: R Donovan; J Whelan, M Walsh, K Crowley; J O’Neill, K Bowles, S Madigan; K Lenahan, A Trimm; D Ryan, A O’Neill, M Lenahan; D Hanlon, M O’Neill, C Hanlon Subs: K Sheehan for D Ryan (38); B O’Riordan for J O’Neill (43); B O’Connor for Madigan (53); J O’Brien for Crowley, S O’Callaghan for K Lenahan (both 60).

Referee: T McGrath (Limerick).