Match Report

Ulster Senior Hurling League:  Cappagh Gaels  0-6   Ballyvarley  2-12

Ballyvarley got off to an impressive start in their Ulster League campaign with a comfortable twelve point victory over Tyrone side, Cappagh Gaels in Killyclogher. On a heavy pitch that made free-flowing hurling difficult, Ballyvarley were the more solid, compact side throughout, controlling the game and easing their way to their first win of the new season.

Cappagh slotted over the opening point but a superb Ballyvarley defence, in which James McGrath, Jamie Murray and Sean Kennedy were particularly outstanding, completely snuffed out any further threat from the home side and it was midway through the second half before they registered their second score.  Paul O’Neill levelled for Ballyvarley and then Gavin McGreevey and Steven Daly added further points to ease the Reds into a lead they never lost. The mobility of Colm O’Neill and Ciaran Connolly at midfield caused Cappagh all kinds of problems and it was O’Neill who raced forward for two stylish points to strengthen Ballyvarley’s grip on the game. Two pointed frees  and a third from play by Paul O’Neill eased the Reds into a 0-8 to 0-1 lead at the interval.

Ballyvarley continued in the same vein in the second half with former defender Steven Daly revelling in his new role as full forward. He led the line superbly, scoring two brilliant points from almost impossible angles and assisting in many of the other scores. Daly fed Paul O’Neill for the opening point of the half and then laid the ball across goal for Peter McConville to crash home the opening goal at the far post. Niall Savage broke through to place Paul O’Neill for another point before James McConville nipped in front of the last defender to flick goal number two into the corner of the net. The game had really been all over for a long time but five late Cappagh points salvaged a little pride for the home side as Ballyvarley eased towards the finishing line.

Final score:   Cappagh Gaels  0-6   Ballyvarley  2-12  

Cathal O’Neill; Michael McKay, James McGrath, Eunan McConville; Sean Kennedy, Thomas Lennon, Jamie Murray; Colm O’Neill(capt)(0-2), Ciaran Connolly; Niall Savage, Paul O’Neill(0-7), Gavin McGreevey(0-1); James McConville(1-0), Steven Daly(0-2), Peter McConville(1-0).