Experience The Deciding Factor!
Date Filed: 10 August 2011
Down SHL: Ballycran 3-10 Ballyvarley 1-6
Youth proved to be no match for experience as Ballyvarley made the daunting trip to Ballycran with six key players missing and although their young players played with a degree of enthusiasm they failed to make much impression on an equally weakened home side, losing by thirteen points.
The Reds played against a stiff breeze in the first half but still managed to dominate the midfield exchanges with Steven Daly, Thomas Lennon, Paul O’Neill and David Lavery supplying a lot of possession to the Reds front division. An early point from Paul O’Neill boded well for the Reds but forward possession was continually wasted and the visitors failed to raise another flag for over twenty five minutes. Cathal O’Neill, Peter and Eunan McConville marshalled their defence well but eventually the pressure told as the home side made good use of their opportunities to rattle home three goals and six points before Johnny Lennon broke clear to strike a loose ball to the roof of the Ballycran net.
Half time: Ballycran 3-6 Ballyvarley 1-1
The Reds played with much more spirit in the second half and, although they had much of the forward play, their inexperience continued to show and they struggled to make much impression on the score-sheet. Niall Savage, Paul O’Neill and Steven Daly all scored fine individual points and a much improved Conor McClorey weighed in with another brace but it was such a meagre return for so much possession. The stiff breeze helped restrict Ballycran’s penetration and they only scored four breakaway points. For Ballyvarley the overall performance was disappointing but hopefully this experience of competitive senior hurling will stand their young players in good stead for the future.
Final score: Ballycran 3-10 Ballyvarley 1-6
Cathal O’Neill; Peter McConville, Eunan McConville, Michael McKay; Steven Daly(0-1), Thomas Lennon, David Lavery; Paul O’Neill(0-2), Patrick Mackin; Jonathan Lennon(1-0), Niall Savage(0-1), Gavin McGreevey; John O’Neill, Conor McClorey(0-2), James McConville.
Subs: Ciaran Connolly, Ciaran Davis, Rory McShane