Home
News
Latest
Bulletin
Archive
Events
Newsletter
Football
Senior
u17
U15
U13
U11
U9
U6
Hurling
Senior
u17
U15
U13
U11
U9
U6
Ladies
Senior
u17
U15
U13
U11
U9
U6
Camogie
Senior
u17
U15
U13
U11
U9
U6
Fixtures
Results
Media
Photo Gallery
Video
Downloads
Lotto
About
History
Hurling History
Roll of Honour
Club Facilities
Sponsors
Committee
Contact
Healthy Club
About Us
Cardiac Screening
Healthy Eating
Events
Mental Health
Club Maith Silver
Safeguarding
Links
Match Report
Best Team Performance Of The Year
Date Filed:
22 August 2011
Down Senior Hurling League: Ballyvarley 4-14 Clonduff 3-15
Like a magician waiting for the perfect moment Ballyvarley pulled a magnificent performance out of the hat to produce their best team performance of the season to outscore high-flying Clonduff and thwart the visitors chances of winning the senior hurling league title. This game had all the signs of a David and Goliath mismatch as Ballyvarley had been struggling of late to show any kind of form, whereas Clonduff were soaring at the top of the league and needed just one more win to secure a play-off for the league title but out of nowhere the Reds conjured up a magical performance to edge this high-scoring thriller and end Clonduff’s dreams of that elusive league title.
It was obvious from the throw-in that Ballyvarley were fired up for this South Down derby as they matched the Hilltown side score for score in an explosive all action start. An early Clonduff point was cancelled out by a goal from James McGrath whose close-range ground shot found the back of the net and then for a lengthy period John Murphy and Paul O’Neill seemed to indulge in a head to head scoring competition when both from play and frees they hammered over six points each and the Reds still held the advantage as the game approached the interval. Two Shea Murnin points levelled the game but a long range point from Ciaran Connolly edged the Reds in front for the second time. However, in the dying minutes of the half the game swung Clonduff’s way when Chris Young volleyed home a stunning goal and Shea Murnin followed up with another point to leave Ballyvarley trailing by three points at the interval.
Half time: Ballyvarley 1-7 Clonduff 1-10
The drama continued after the break as Ballyvarley levelled the game from the restart, when James McGrath burst through to slam home his second goal but within minutes Clonduff struck in similar fashion to regain their three point advantage. Three more points from the visitors saw them stretch the lead to six as their quest for the league title kept driving them on to greater things but the Reds were to show tremendous courage and drive as they hauled themselves back up off the floor and hurled themselves to a standstill in a game that meant nothing to them but local pride. Paul O’Neill provided the first impetus for the comeback when he slammed the ball to the net from a 21 yard free but two more Clonduff points cut short the celebrations. But back came the Reds again, battling with a passion that had been missing all season, and three more pointed frees from O’Neill left just two points between the sides. James McGrath was proving to be the perfect target man up front and when he weighed in with his third goal to push the Reds into a one point lead it looked done and dusted for the home side, who were clearly on top in all sectors of the field. A Paul O’Neill point increased the advantage but then tragedy struck when a high ball that seemed to be going over the bar dropped into the Ballyvarley net for a shock Clonduff goal. The Reds argued that the ball had fallen through a hole in the net but in the rain and the gathering gloom no one could tell but one thing was sure, fate had thrown Clonduff’s league ambitions one more last gasp life-line. But the script held one more twist and with just minutes remaining the Reds somehow lifted their game once again and with a battling forward line that drew the fouls the Reds had the perfect executioner in Paul O’Neill and he slotted over three further points to give the Reds a thrilling two point victory that avenged an earlier drubbing they had received in Hilltown. Clonduff trudged off, a shattered team, whereas Ballyvarley strode off with spirits high after arguably the most complete team performance they have given for many years.
Final score: Ballyvarley 4-14 Clonduff 3-15
Cathal O’Neill; Peter McConville, Adam Twohig, David Lavery; Steven Daly, Thomas Lennon, John O’Neill; Paul O’Neill(1-13), Ciaran Connolly(0-1); Conor McClorey, Niall Savage, Tony Hegarty; Michael McKay, James McGrath(3-0), Patrick Mackin.
Subs: Jonathan Lennon, Sean O’Neill, James McConville, Ciaran Davis, Rory McShane