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Down Senior Hurling League:
Carryduff 1-12 Ballyvarley 1-18
Another super performance from Ballyvarley in Carryduff maintained their bright start to the league and in another high-scoring display they came away with a six point victory to maintain their unbeaten run. The Reds had to pull out all the stops to get the better of a very fast and competitive home side, but with the fantastic four of James McGrath, Thomas Lennon, Paul O’Neill and eventually, Colm O’Neill in unstoppable form they had just too much for a fast improving Carryduff side on this occasion.
Once again Tony Hegarty got the ball rolling with an early point but this game was to prove anything but plain sailing as a very mobile home side led by Declan Doherty pushed the Reds all the way in this free-flowing hurling contest. The early threat of an avalanche of scores quickly dried up as both defences got on top and it took six consecutive points from Paul O’Neill to keep an under pressure Ballyvarley side on level terms throughout the first half. James McGrath and Thomas Lennon were outstanding in the centre of the visitors defence and with David Lavery, Jamie Murray and Sean Kennedy also on top of their game, Carryduff’s midfield dominance failed to produce a major score and they had to be content with long range points and frees. Gradually Patrick Macken and Conor McClorey found their form up front and their battling displays were finally rewarded when they both soloed through to send two excellent points between the posts to give Ballyvarley a slender 0-9 to 0-8 lead at the interval.
A few switches at half time produced a much better balanced Ballyvarley performance and although Carryduff started off with two early points, it was Ballyvarley who were to find that extra gear as they went on to dominate the second half. Paul O’Neill moved back into his familiar haunt in midfield and with the industrious Ciaran Connolly reducing the threat posed by Declan Doherty, Ballyvarley dominated possession in this vital sector for the remainder of the game.Steven Daly’s power under the high ball was to prove of more benefit when he switched to the forty and the forwards responded to the improved supply of the ball with some great approach play that opened the way for a flurry of second-half scores. Man of the match, James McGrath got the show on the road with a surging solo run out of defence before firing over a spectacular rousing point. Paul O’Neill converted a 65 before Colm O’Neill settled into his new role at full forward and provided the Reds with an open highway to the Carryduff goal. Three times he came out to meet the incoming ball, turned his man and fired over the bar in deadly fashion and the next two he laid off to brother Paul who slotted them neatly between the posts. A converted 65 from Paul O’Neill was sandwiched between two Carryduff points and then the clinching score came when substitute Jonathan Lennon pounced at the far post to slide home the killing goal and ease the Reds into an eight point lead. Another fantastic sixty yard solo run saw James McGrath notch his second super point and that should have ended the matter but Carryduff kept plugging away and in the closing minutes they drove the ball past Cathal O’Neill to keep the excitement going until the final whistle.
Final score:
Carryduff 1-12 Ballyvarley 1-18
Cathal O’Neill; John O’Neill, Thomas Lennon, David Lavery; Sean Kennedy, James McGrath(0-2), Jamie Murray; Ciaran Connolly, Colm O’Neill(0-3); Tony Hegarty(0-1), Patrick Macken(0-1), Conor McClorey(0-1); Paul O’Neill(0-10), Steven Daly, Gavin McGreevey.
Subs: Jonathan Lennon(1-0), Leigh McConville, James McConville, Peter McConville, Michael McKay, Ciaron Davis
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