Ballyvarley 5-3 Carryduff 5-11.
A courageous Ballyvarley team led the way for three quarters of this enthralling U-15 Hurling Final but their small squad just didn’t have enough in reserve to stem the tide of a talented Carryduff side.
Ballyvarley took the fight to Carryduff straight from the throw-in and goals from Patrick Walsh and Caomhan McAnarney in the opening minute got them off to a whirlwind start. Both sides displayed lots of menace up front in an exciting first half of competitive hurling. A goal and a point from Carryduff were answered powerfully by the Reds with further goals from Patrick Walsh and Caomhan McAnarney and points from Kevin Doyle, Micheal McNulty and Barra Mag Fhionnbhair. Ballyvarley were good value for their handsome lead at this stage and will probably regret not having added a few more when they were on top. Carryduff kept picking off their points as they struggled to break through a resolute Ballyvarley defence but a deflected goal from Carryduff right on the half time whistle was a telling blow as the Reds advantage was reduced to just four points at the interval.
Half time:
Ballyvarley 4-3 Carryduff 2-5.
The Reds began the second half brightly but just could not add the scores to some enterprising play. Carryduff continued to use fresh legs from the bench as they fired over four points to bring the sides level. Ballyvarley’s small squad didn’t have the luxury of additional resources and when Carryduff crashed home two goals at the start of the final quarter, you could see those tired legs visibly sag. A rousing solo goal from the hard-running Kevin Doyle gave the Reds renewed hope but the energy levels just weren’t there as a very talented Carryduff side pressed home their advantage to take the spoils.
Team: Callum Walsh, Fionntan keenan, Eoighan Comisky, Micheal McNulty(0-1), Cathal Mc Crory, Harrison Lennon, Kevin Doyle(1-1), Caomhán McAnarney(2-0), Dualta Mag Fhionnbhair, Barra Mag Fhionnbhair(0-1), Patrick Walsh(2-0), Noah Lennon, Oran McAnarney.