Match Report

Reds hit five past Castlewellan

Date Filed: 17 July 2008


Senior Hurling League: 
Ballyvarley  5-15   Castlewellan  1-9
It was a case of back to the future for Ballyvarley on Tuesday night when the return of several of their prodigal sons inspired a scoring spree that saw the Reds sweep through to a morale-boosting 18 point victory over visiting Castlewellan. The visitors were unfortunate to meet the Reds on such a night and after a hesitant start the home side slipped smoothly into gear, with James McGrath and Paul O’Neill providing the finish to some excellent outfield play.
            The opening ten minutes belied the scoring display that was to come as both sides spurned several golden chances to hit the net and remarkably this hurling game looked like it was heading for a goal-less draw. The Reds looked as though they were playing their first game of the season, and for some that was true, but gradually the rustiness disappeared and the game gradually sprung to life. A Paul O’Neill free in the 11th minute ended the deadlock and four minutes later the tireless running of Michael Cairns was rewarded when he followed up a loose clearance to strike a crisp ground shot to the corner of the net. The game had finally started and two pointed frees from Paul O’Neill were cancelled out by similar efforts from Castlewellan full-forward Raymond Cunningham, to keep just four pints between the sides. Martin O’Neill then burst through for the first point from play before Paul O’Neill and Paul Jennings both converted 65 yard frees for their perspective sides to leave Ballyvarley in front by five points at the interval.
            Half time:  Ballyvarley  1-5   Castlewellan  0-3
There was much more action in the second period as both sides finally sprung to life and the scores flowed freely, especially from the home side. Two more points from free-taker Cunningham kept Castlewellan in touch  but it was the Reds attack that carried the most menace as James McGrath fired over two rasping shots when goals seemed likely and O’Neill added another 65. Another close-range free was buried to the net by O’Neill thus opening up a nine point gap that left Ballyvarley in cruise control. However, as the home side eased off a little, Castlewellan took advantage and a period of dangerous attacks saw Cunningham slot over three more points before finally striking with a shock goal to reduce the deficit to just three points and suddenly it was game on again.
            That was when erstwhile defender, James McGrath, staked his claim for a full-forward slot with a devastating hat-trick that stopped the Castlewellan revival in its tracks and steered Ballyvarley to their largest winning margin of the season. Three times he collected, went round his man and soloed through to drive the ball to the back of the net and each time the Castlewellan heads sank that little bit lower. It was virtually a procession after that with O’Neill and McGrath adding on seven more points for the Reds and Castlewellan managing only one further minor score in reply.
It was a great exhibition in front of the home fans, with the defence back in form and solid throughout, midfield in control and an attack producing the finish that we have always dreamed off, so we now hope that the holiday break will give the remaining injuries time to clear as the league and championship enters it’s critical phase.
Final score:  Ballyvarley  5-15    Castlewellan  1-9
Team:  Cathal O’Neill; Pat McGrath, Niall Higgins, John O’Neill; David Lavery, Eunan McConville, Thomas Lennon; Paul O’Neill(1-10), Ciaran Connolly; Martin O’Neill(0-1), Michael Cairns(1-0), Niall Savage; Colin O’Neill, Conor Grew, James McGrath(3-4).
Subs: Conor McClorey; Jamie Murray; Stewart Cartmill