Match Report

Playing with remarkable passion and endeavour, Ballyvarley could, and perhaps even should, have won this pulsating Division One hurling game at Moygannon.

Date Filed: 29 June 2010

They had the perfect springboard for a shock away victory as they were dominant in defence and midfield and had sharpshooter Paul O’Neill in brilliant scoring form but despite leading for much of the game they failed to put the issue beyond reach and finally succumbed to a desperate late home rally that rescued the points for Warrenpoint.
   The Reds got off to a good start as Paul O’Neill slotted over the bar to score the first of his eleven frees on the night but Warrenpoint were up for this one and with Alan Higgins leading their attack they tagged on three unanswered points to race into a two point lead. However the Reds were only finding their feet and a superb point from the left wing by young Tony Hegarty and a goal from a twenty one yard free by Paul O’Neill changed the whole complexion of this game as Ballyvarley quickly became the dominant force.
With Cathal O’Neill back in goals they looked a much more solid outfit and his high fielding, safe handling and long deliveries gave the Reds a much more confident outlook. The defence were simply brilliant, with Niall Higgins and Colm O’Neill in barnstorming form in the centre and Stephen Daly, Thomas Lennon, Conor McClorey and Patrick Mackin aggressively dominant on the wings. Colin O’Neill and Ciaran Connolly were winning their fair share of possession in midfield and the odds on an away victory looked bright as Warrenoint struggled to get a foothold on the game. Two further points from Paul O’Neill kept Ballyvarley in front but with no one else adding to the tally Warrenpoint, against the run of play, eased their way back into contention and two John O’Kane frees brought them level at half time.

Half Time: Warrenpoint 0-7   Ballyvarley 1-4

Two more frees from Paul O’Neill on the restart pushed Ballyvarley ahead again and then a thrusting solo-run and point from an acute angle by the same player should have been the catalyst for a Ballyvarley victory. However three points from Alan Higgins brought the sides level again. Further points from Paul O’Neill kept Ballyvarley that one point in front but only Tony Hegarty and Martin O’Neill up front were providing any penetration and unfortunately two great runs from Martin saw him blaze narrowly wide on either side of the posts. The Reds emptied their bench in search of the answer but then the inevitable happened and Warrenpoint got their goal. A long free into the Ballyvarley goalmouth was blocked out by a Reds defender only for it to rebound off an unsuspecting Warrenpoint forward and over the line. Ballyvarley battled hard to recover from this sucker blow and even though they went in search of that one goal that would have clinched the game, the odds were always on the Warrenpoint defence to survive the onslaught.

Full time: Warrenpoint 1-14   Ballyvarley 1-12

Cathal O’Neill; Stephen Daly, Niall Higgins, Thomas Lennon; Conor McClorey, Colm O’Neill, Patrick Mackin; Colin O’Neill, Ciaran Connolly; Paul O’Neill(1-11), Niall Savage, Martin O’Neill; Leigh McConville, Jamie Murray, Tony Hegarty(0-1)
Subs: Stuart Cartmill, Gavin McGreevey, Sean O’Neill