Abbeydorney on course for three in a row after seeing off stern Ballyduff challenge

Abbeydorney are into the Kerry SHC final. pic: Domnick Walsh/Eye Focus

Kerry SHC semi-final: Abbeydorney 3-15 Ballyduff 1-16

Two in row champions Abbeydorney are on course for a third after they withstood a second half comeback by Ballyduff to ensure victory and a meeting with St Brendan’s in two weeks time.

It was a game that O’Dorney just about deserved to win but they can thank their keeper Jason Fealey and Ballyduff’s profligacy up front for this win but Ballyduff who have not won a Neilus Flynn since 2017 were architects of their own downfall, shooting twelve wides to the winners two.

The Duffers talisman Podge Boyle had an off night from placed balls but he also brought them back into the game with a brilliant goal in the 28th minute, that brought his side back into the contest but two bullet like drives from Michael Slattery and a sublime finish by Niall O’Mahony just before half time saw Abbeydorney retire 3-10 to 1-7 in front and Ballyduff’s championship ambitions were hanging by a thread, despite the fact that they would have a stiff breeze to their backs for the second period.

But the story of the opening half other than the goals was some superb goalkeeping by the champion’s keeper, Jason Fealey.

Fealy denied Jack Goulding twice, with spell bounding reflexes, firstly in the fifth minute when he turned the ball away and Aidan O’Connor tapped the ball over and then he somehow turned another Goulding effort against the post. Then just before half time Fealey again came to his side’s rescue, when he denied Luke Rochford.

Abbeydorney appeared to suffer a massive body blow early when top defender Jedd Maunsell had to limp off but his older brother Adam Maunsell replaced him and with a minute of coming on, he scored 1-1.

Ballyduff were struggling up front but Adam Segal, Darragh Slattery and Kevin Goulding were keeping Ballyduff in the game with some staunch defending but five first wides did not help their cause.

Ballyduff resumed a transformed side and outscored Abbeydorney 0-4 to 0-1 Jack Goulding (3) and Podge Boyle while Mike O’Leary had the winner’s sole score from a free.

Kerry All-Ireland U20 winner Evan Boyle was now on the pitch but despite scoring a point, Abbeydorney regained momentum when Ballyduff closed to three points with eight minutes left.

Then Jamesie O’Connor with an inspirational score, and a brilliant point from Oisin Maunsell shut the door in a late Ballyduff comeback, Michael Slattery and Michael O’Leary put the cherry on top for Abbeydorney, who will now be favourites against St Brendans, to complete the three in a row.

Scorers for Abbeydorney: M O’Leary 0-6 (4f, 65’), N O’Mahony 1-2, A Maunsell, M Slattery 1-1 each, Oisin Maunsell 0-2, D Egan, J Sheehan, J O’Connor 0-1 each.

Scorers for Ballyduff: P Boyle 1-6 (3f), J Goulding 0-4 (1f), L Rochford 0-2, A O’Connor, D Costello, E Boyle K Goulding (f) 0-1 each Teams:

ABBEYDORNEY: J Fealy; R Ó hAinifeín, S Egan, J Maunsell; D Hogan, R Donovan, J O’Connor; D Egan, D O’Connell; M O’Leary, M Clifford, J Sheehan; M Slattery, O Maunsell, N O’Mahony.

Subs: A Maunsell for J Maunsell (8 inj), K Sheehan for D O’Connell, B O’Leary for D Hogan (52), J Hannon for A Maunsell (56), D O’Leary for R Ó hAinifeín (60+3).

BALLYDUFF: D Quinlan; J Segal, P Costelloe, K O’Connor; D Moriarty, D Slattery, K O’Carroll; K Goulding, E Ross; A Segal, J Goulding, A O’Connor; L Rochford, P Boyle, D Costello.

Subs: Anthony Kavanagh for D Moriarty (12), E Boyle for P Costelloe, J Curtin for K O’Carroll (Both H/T), J Enright for A O’Connor (46).

Referee: K Jordan (Tipperary).