Ulster Hurling League:
Castleblayney 1-12 Ballyvarley 1-9
Ballyvarley paid the penalty for a poor start and some wayward finishing when they fell narrowly by three points to Castleblayney in a highly competitive Ulster Hurling League game. The Castleblayney venue rolled back the years to the type of “field” that Ballyvarley would have been accustomed to over forty years ago and the bumpy nature of the playing surface and the narrow confines of the field had the Reds all at sea in the opening half as they struggled to settle into any kind of rhythm.
Ballyvarley never got going in the opening quarter as their forward line failed to compete with a stout home defence, their midfield was by-passed in the tight confines of the quaint pitch and an overworked defence struggled to cope with the early ‘Blayney onslaught. They conceded a goal and four points in a first half drubbing that could have been so much worse but for some fine saves and clearances from goalkeeper Cathal O’Neill. The early loss of full back Eunan McConville to injury didn’t help the Ballyvarley cause but after a few defensive switches the Reds gradually settled to the task and in many ways they dominated possession for the remainder of the half. However, their old failings up front remerged once again as they squandered some great goaling opportunities and their only scoring threat fell once more on the shoulders of a well-marshalled Paul O’Neill who drove over three long-range points to give the Reds a foothold on the game. Ballyvarley’s luck continued to desert them and even a powerful snap-shot from James McConville cannoned off the inside of the post to safety, with the goalkeeper well beaten. The home side still remained a potent threat and they tapped over three points of their own to leave Ballyvarley trailing by seven points at the interval
Half time: Castleblayney 1-7 Ballyvarley 0-3
Two early points from ‘Blayney looked ominous for the Reds, but fortunately for Ballyvarley they seemed to have sorted out some of their gremlins during the interval and it was a much more competitive team that took to the field in the second half. Thanks to the sterling efforts of man of the match, Sean Kennedy, ably assisted by Colm O’Neill, Jamie Murray and Ciaran Connolly, the Reds confined much of the play to the home teams half of the field. Paul O’Neill hammered over four points and Niall Savage joined the fray and almost immediately raced through to fire over another point to reduce the deficit to four and the fight-back was now on. An isolated ‘Blayney point increased the margin between the sides but then up stepped Martin Connolly who took aim and fired a twenty yard shot low into the corner of the net to leave just two points between the sides.
It was all Ballyvarley in the second half and all it would have taken was one more goal to complete the spirited come-back. However, chance after chance was spurned and all the Reds could muster against a stout home defence was another pointed free from Paul O’Neill and, in the end, the final say went to the home side who tapped over two late break-a-way points to secure a hard-earned one goal victory.
Sean Kennedy was superb in defence, running, tackling, gaining hard-earned possession and constantly driving relieving clearances into the ‘Blayney half. The move of Colm O’Neill back to his familiar haunt of centre half back settled the Reds and he swept up most things in the centre of the field and kept Ballyvarley pouring forward. Jamie Murray and Ciaran Connolly both settled down to play well and were key in turning the tide in the second half. Thomas Lennon steadied a shaky full back line and, after a nervous start, debutant Adam Twohig settled down to have an assured game at left full back. Cathal O’Neill was sound as ever in goals and after struggling a little at right full back, Michael McKay revelled in his switch further outfield and could be well pleased with his performance. Substitutes John O’Neill and Niall Savage came on to make a positive impact on the Reds display and pressed their claims for a starting position with energetic displays.
Paul O’Neill was the main threat up front but the tight confines of the field and some good defensive work from Castleblayney kept him at a distance from threatening their goal. James McConville was the most energetic and positive of the forwards and was unlucky on several occasions not to get his name on the scoresheet. Martin Connolly crowned a battling performance with a cracking, well measured goal that visibly lifted Ballyvarley’s play and almost led to another victory. Leigh McConville, Steven Daly and Peter McConville battled hard up front but a strong ‘Blayney full back line managed to snuff out the scoring threat. Eunan McConville was dominant at full back in the opening stages but his groin injury was a hammer blow that stretched Ballyvarley’s depleted resources to the limit. Young Ciaron Davies and Rory McShane got another taste of what senior hurling is all about and they continue to show much promise for the future.
Final score: Castleblayney 1-12 Ballyvarley 1-9
Cathal O’Neill; Michael McKay, Eunan McConville, Adan Twohig; Sean Kennedy, Thomas Lennon, Jamie Murray; Colm O’Neill, Ciaran Connolly; James McConville, Paul O’Neill(0-8), Martin Connolly(1-0); Leigh McConville, Steven Daly, Peter McConville.
Subs: John O’Neill, Niall Savage(0-1), Ciaron Davies, Rory McShane.