Match Report

Depleted Reds lose to Ardsmen

Date Filed: 06 June 2008


Senior Hurling League
Ballycran v. Ballyvarley
 
Exams and injuries took their toll on Tuesday night when a much depleted Ballyvarley fifteen suffered their first league defeat of the season at the hands of league leaders Ballycran. The trip to the Ards is always daunting but when you travel with key players missing then there can only be one outcome and despite a spirited performance the Reds were beaten by 2-15 to 1-7.
            Ballyvarley fell behind to four early points but with a strong defence they gradually gained the upper hand but lacked the finesse to finish up front. A spirited rally, inspired by some great forward play from David McGovern, saw McGovern(0-4) and Cathal O’Neill score five great points to peg Ballycran back to just a two point advantage as the Reds clawed their way back into contention. Two soft goals just before the interval took the wind out of the visitor’s sails and, after having played so well, it was a disheartened team that faced the half time team talk with a seven point deficit.
 
Half time: Ballycran 2-7  Ballyvarley 0-5
 
Ballyvarley restructured after the interval and went chasing the game. Much of the play was concentrated in the Ballycran half but some great goalkeeping and lack of penetration failed to produce the scores that were needed. Hope flickered for a time as James McGrath and Jamie Murray picked off two fine points and John O’Neill struck home a goal but the scores eventually dried up and Ballycran picked off their points on the break to run up a flattering eleven point win. In a spirited performance Pat McGrath and David McGovern were outstanding while James McGrath, Thomas Lennon, Cathal O’Neill, Colm O’Neill and Eunan McConville were dominant in a busy defence.
 
Final Score: Ballycran 2-15  Ballyvarley 1-7
 
Team:  David Lavery; Pat McGrath, James McGrath(0-1), Thomas Lennon; Conor McClorey, Colm O’Neill, Eunan McConville; Ciaran Connolly, Niall Savage; Colin O’Neill, David McGovern(0-4), Jamie Murray(0-1); Stuart Cartmill, Cathal O’Neill(0-1), John O’Neill(1-0)