Clonakenny exit to impressive Ballingarry

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Ballingarry 2-23

Clonakenny 1-14

Report Noel Dundon in Templetuohy

A strong second half performance from Ballingarry earned them a place in the County Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-finals as they overcame a stern Clonakenny challenge on Saturday.

A low key, but very competitive first period gave way to Ballingarry having the better of the second half exchanges and they made their dominance count by bagging two goals which proved to be real game-sealers.

Ballingarry used Simon Blackmore as a sweeper throughout and he had an outstanding match, showing up wherever the ball broke, clearing his lines and using the ball really well as he set up attack after attack who misfired for a long period and the fact that they hit seven first half wides didn’t help their cause.

Clonakenny made the early running and held a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after ten minutes – Cian O’Dwyer getting four scores from placed balls with midfielder John Joe Ryan adding one from play. Meanwhile, Dylan Walsh and Diarmuid Ryan were on target for Ballingarry and they began to found their range with Walsh hitting two frees and Ben Ivers getting one from play.

It was all even and the play was over and back with both sides missing chances. However, Jack Cahill gave Ballingarry the lead only to see Cian O’Dwyer and Delacy Byrne restoring the Clonakenny advantage.

But that was to be the last time the Mid men would lead and the fact that they lost both full back Joe Stapleton and wing back Conor Nesbitt through injury within a few minutes of each other didn’t help their cause.

Ballingarry got a grip on the game and Dylan Walsh (2) and Billy McGrath had scores for them. And, they also saw a Tommy McGrath goal chance beaten away by Clonakenny keeper Willie Costigan to keep his side in the game.

Walsh and McGrath pointed again for Ballingarry before the break but Clonakenny had the last score of the half when Nicky Ryan produced a lovely score to leave his side 0-11 to 0-8 in arrears at the break.

Unfortunately for Clonakenny, by the time they would score again, Ballingarry would have all but sealed the victory. The South men hit a purple patch upon resumption with Diarmuid Ryan, Michael Ivers, Jack Cahill and Dylan Walsh all pointing. And, a Ben Ivers goal in the 35th minute helped extend the lead to ten points.

Clonakenny needed to find something, and fast. In fairness they did and the scores from Bobby Bergin, Delacy Byrne and a Cian O’Dwyer goal from a free helped to bring them right back into the match. They were now five down but with momentum behind them.

Unfortunately for Clonakenny, Dylan Walsh came storming into the game and he pointed three for Ballingarry to more than cancel out two Michael John Carroll points.

Ballingarry’s second goal in the 52nd minute arrived through Ben Ivers again and it was difficult to see his side being caught at this stage. They careered towards the finish line with renewed energy with Dylan Walsh (3), Tommy McGrath and sub Conor Vaughan all getting on target.

Clonakenny had managed just two points in that last ten minutes –Carroll and Bobby Bergin getting those scores which proved to be too little too late in the final analysis.

The loss of key players certainly did not help Clonakenny’s cause but in fairness to them they battled the game right to the very end, even though they were giving best to their opponents in many sectors by the end. Cian O’Dwyer, Diarmuid Ryan, Bobby Bergin, Michael John Carroll and Delacy Byrne were best for them on the day.

For Ballingarry, the nature of their second half performance will give them much confidence going forward. However, they will be aware that a repeat of their first half showing will make life very difficult for them and they will need to be performing at a higher tempo -the kind of tempo they achieved in the second half.

Dylan Walsh had a fine second half for them while James Burns, Tommy McGrath, Ben Ivers, and Jack Cahill were impressive right the way through.

However, it was Simon Blackmore who really caught the eye producing from the top drawer right throughout the game. He was constantly in the breech when Clonakenny came at Ballingarry and was in no small way responsible for his side getting over the line.

Player of the Match: Simon Blackmore (Ballingarry)

Ballingarry: Paidi Maher (6), Ger Ryan (6), Paul Butler (7), Patrick Ivers (6), Thomas Walton (7), James Burns (7), Billy McGrath (0-1, 7), Ger Fennelly (7), Jack Cahill (0-2, 7), Michael Ivers (0-1, 7), Tommy McGrath (0-2, 8), Dylan Walsh (Capt, 0-13, 10f, 9), Simon Blackmore (9), Ben Ivers (2-1, 8), Diarmuid Ryan (0-2, 7).

Subs: Conor Vaughan (0-1, 6) for M Ivers (50); Darragh Pollard (6) for P Ivers (53).

Clonakenny: Willie Costigan (7), Joe Stapleton (6), Cain Russell (Capt, 6), Alexi Harty (6), Conor Nesbit (7), Diarmuid Ryan (7), Delacy Byrne (0-2, 7), John O’Meara (6), John Joe Ryan (0-1, 6), Peadar Byrne (6), Bobby Bergin (0-2, 6), Cian O’Dwyer (1-5, 0-5f, 7), Nicky Ryan (0-1, 6), Sean Stapleton (6), Michael John Carroll (0-3f, 7).

Subs: John Costigan (7) for Stapleton (15 inj); Paul Bergin (6) for Nesbitt (20 inj); Matthew O’Sullivan (6) for N Ryan (35); Conor Shanahan (6) for JJ Ryan (43).

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne-Templetuohy).