Match Report

Down Senior Hurling League Div 1 : Ballyvarley 1-7 Warrenpoint 1-19

Date Filed: 26 May 2010

A promising first half which saw Ballyvarley enjoy the lion’s share of possession was totally undermined by a bewildering second half collapse which saw the Reds surrender their unbeaten home record and slump to a disappointing twelve point defeat to old rivals Warrenpoint.
Ballyvarley were in sprightly form in the opening quarter and matched the visitors score for score with points from Paul O’Neill and James McGrath cancelling out similar efforts from Alan Higgins and Tommy Mulligan as the Reds looked like they were going to push Warrenpoint all the way. The Reds dominated possession and two points from Paul O’Neill gave them the lead but the Reds failed to make this early advantage count as they struggled to penetrate a solid visiting defence. It was disappointing not to build a comfortable lead and Ballyvarley were made to pay for their slackness up front when Warrenpoint began to hit their true form and two points from Karl Maxwell and three from Miceal Cunningham saw the visitors reverse the advantage and race into a three point lead. A late surging run from James McGrath produced a penalty for the home side and Paul O’Neill took full advantage by slamming the ball to the roof of the net to put the Reds on level terms at half time 

Half time:   Ballyvarley  1-4  Warrenpoint  0-7

The Reds just never got going on the restart and had no answer when Warrenpoint upped the pace and started to spray the ball around with comparative ease. Cathal O’Neill got lots of opportunities to display his goalkeeping skills as the Reds struggled to stem the tide. Karl Maxwell, Alan Higgins, Tommy Mulligan and Paul Brown were popping the ball over the bar from all angles and only James McGrath and Paul O’Neill were able to hit the target for the Reds. Warrenpoint raced into a nine point lead and in the final minute they eventually found a way past Cathal O’Neill when Tommy Mulligan raced in to flick a James O’Hare cross to the back of the net. 

Final Score:   Ballyvarley  1-7   Warrenpoint  1-19

Team: Cathal O’Neill; Steven Daly, Niall Higgins, Eunan McConville; John O’Neill, Colm O’Neill, David Lavery; Paul O’Neill(1-5), Ciaran Connolly; Jamie Murray, Cathal McGrath, Sean Kennedy; Niall Savage, James McGrath(0-2), Tony Hegarty
Subs: Patrick Mackin, Leigh McConville, Stuart Cartmill, James McConville, Martin Connolly, Shane McAreavey