Ballina edge past Templederry in North semi-final

GAA: Munster Solar North Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Ballina 1-26

Templederry Kenyons 2-19

Report: Shane Brophy at St Michael’s Park, Toomevara

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: David Kelly (Ballina)

SCORERS – Ballina: David Kelly, Matthew Power (6 frees) 0-8 each; Charlie King 1-5; Cathal O’Donnell 0-2; Zak Egan Michael Breen, Terry O’Halloran 0-1 each.

Templederry Kenyons: Eanna Murray 0-11 (8 frees, 1 ’65); Sean Ryan 2-1; Mikie Ryan 0-2; Micheal Collins, Pio Kennedy, Cillian Kennedy, Paidi Ryan, John Kennedy 0-1 each.

Ballina booked their passage to a first North Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Final after progressing past Templederry Kenyons in a rip-roaring semi-final on Tuesday evening.

Despite Templederry holding the lead for long spells, the scoring ability of Ballina’s David Kelly and Charlie King proved too much for them to hold off as the duo scored 1-13 from play between them.

Kelly in particular was a thorn in the Templederry side scoring eight points from play, including the last three of the match to finally put the game to bed as Templederry threatened to force extra time.

With a North Final to come on Sunday, the game was costly for Ballina in terms of injury with three players forced to depart during the game with Steven O’Brien limping off with a hamstring injury in the first half while All-Ireland winner Michael Breen finally succumbed to an ankle injury late on. Jack Collins also departed, but it was merely cramp.

Thirteen wides were a lot of the reason they played second fiddle on the scoreboard for long stages with Matthew Power getting stronger as the game went on while Cathal O’Donnell made a big impact off the bench.

While disappointed to have lost, Templederry will be pleased with the performance of a new-look team following their relegation from senior level last season. Adrian Ryan has been forced to retire with a long standing shoulder injury and Brian Stapleton has ongoing knee problems. On top of that, they lost experienced defender Christy Coughlan for the season with a serious knee injury while Gearoid Ryan was only fit enough to come on as a second half substitute.

Still, Templederry have the class of Eanna Murray and Sean Ryan to call on, the latter not long off the plane from the US where he starred in their championship over there and here scored 2-1, but was a constant thorn in the Ballina defence throughout.

Wing back Mikie Ryan and midfielder Micheal Collins were others to catch the eye.

Sean Ryan’s goal on the cusp of half time was what separated the sides after an even first half with Templederry leading 1-11 to 0-11 and they stretched four clear before Ballina began to turn the screw and finally drew level by the three quarter mark and took their first lead four minutes later.

When Charlie King broke onto a Charlie O’Donnell to blast past Philip Kennedy in the 57th minute, the game looked over, but Templederry rallied with Sean Ryan forcing a fine save out of Simon Grace but not long after gave him no chance to get back within one point.

However, Ballina had the nerve to hold out, Matthew Power bringing his tally to eight with David Kelly’s final three points from play sealing their place in the decider against Burgess.

TEAMS – Ballina: Simon Grace (7); David Coughlan (6), Michael Breen (Capt 6), Paul McKeogh (7); Terry O’Halloran (7), Jack Collins (6), Zak Egan (7); David Kelly (9), Thomas Shanahan (6); Paddy Bradley (6), Steven O’Brien (6), Brian Bourke (6); Josh Egan (7), Charlie King (9), Matthew Power (7).

Subs: Billy Collins (6) for O’Brien (24 inj); Cathal O’Donnell (7) for Bradley (37); Michael Grace (6) for J Collins (52 inj); JP Mbokha Tansia (6) for Breen (55 inj).

Templederry Kenyons: Philip Kennedy (6); Brian Rohan (6), Tom Stapleton (7), Dale Donnelly (Capt, 7); Sean Collins (7), Darragh Carey (7), Mikie Ryan (8); Micheal Collins (7), Pio Kennedy (6); Cillian Kennedy (6), Liam McCutcheon (6), Paidi Ryan (6); Eanna Murray (9), John Kennedy (7), Sean Ryan (8).

Subs: Gearoid Ryan (6) for P Ryan (39); Tom Ryan (NR) for J Kennedy (59); Mikie Hayes (NR) for C Kennedy (60).

Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea)