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kilkennyobserver.ie
Hurling matters
Sport
BY NIALL SHERRY SPORTS EDITOR SPORTSEDITORKILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
AIB Leinster Intermediate Hurling Championship Ballinakill 1-12 Glenmore 2-17 @ Abbeyleix, Saturday November 27th GOALS win games, and that proved to be the case at a very cold Abbeyleix last Saturday, when Laois champions Ballinakill faced-off against Glenmore for a place in the provincial semi-final. Majors from substitute David Burke and captain fantastic Ger Aylward ensure that the Glen prevailed against a spirited Ballinakill. The Laois champions, minus the missing county star Cha Dwyer, had staged a major comeback in both halves of their round one game against Westmeath side Cullion in Mullingar a week earlier, but found the quality for this Glenmore a bridge too far. Declan Wall’s side came out of the traps quickly, and wasted no time in putting a marker down against their less fancied opponents. Alan Murphy slotted over the first score of the day from a free, before adding a monstrous second, only 30 yards from his own goal! This also gave an indication of the wind with which the Kilkenny side were playing with in the first half. Midfielder Philly Roche struck a lovely point from around half-way, following a nice side line cut from Alan Murphy. Eight minutes gone Glenmore 3 points to no score ahead. Mikey Kirwan then took a puck-out that landed in on top of the full-forward line. Ian Byrne challenged for possession before the ball broke to Ger Aylward, who from tight-out on the left struck a lovely point. The same player repeated the feat a minute later when he collected the ball following a mistake from his marker and slotted over from about 50 yards out on the left. 11 minutes gone, Declan Wall’s side 0-5 to no score. The Laois champions were really struggling to get into the game, largely due to work-rate and hunger of the Glenmore side. Indeed, it took Ballinakill some fifteen minutes to open their account, from a close-range free, courtesy of cornerforward TJ Lalor. The same player would double his side’s total a minute later, again from the placed ball. Not to be outdone by his midfield partner, Billy Reid than collected the ball superbly, out on th left touchline, before swinging over a cracking point. Eoin Murphy then intercepted
a pass from Ballinakill defender, before striking a beautiful score from about 55 yards out, to leave Glenmore 0-7 to 0-2 ahead at the first water-break. Seamus Dowling must have had a few strong words with his charges, as they looked a different animal after the short break. They began to hurl with much more confidence and the swagger of a team that were Laois Premier Intermediate champions. Ballinakill would actually go on to win the second quarter, 4 points to 2. First up for the home side was Jamie Drury, who knocked over a nice point from wide out on the right, for his team’s third score. Glenmore responded, and from the next attack, a great hook by Ian Byrne allowed Mark Aylward to pick up the loose ball before shooting over for a timely score. Ballinakill came down the field and worked the ball from left to right, before Lir McDonald pointed from a central position to fire over. Then wing-back and Shane Murphy was fouled on his own ‘65, which gave his brother, Alan a chance to point from the placed ball, which he took advantage of. From the puck-out, the Laois side won possession and made inroads towards the Glenmore goal. They slipped the pass to Cian O’Shaughnessy, who despite coming under fierce pressure, managed to fire over a stunning point. TJ Lalor then won and converted a free to leave his side trailing by 3 points. Despite a little more huffing and puffing from both sides, no more scores were added in the remainder of the half, and as Offaly referee Adam Kinahan blew for the interval, Glenmore lead 0-9 to 0-6. Having played with a very strong wind in the first half, Declan Wall would probably been a little disappointed to be only 3 points up at the break. On the other hand, Seamus Dowling would have been pleased to be only one score in arrears, given it took 15 minutes for his side to raise their first flag. When play resumed at an extremely windy Abbeyleix, Ballinakill drew first blood, corner-back Noel Duggan struck a lovely point after emerging from a huddle of players with the ball. Things would improve significantly for the Laois Champions a CONTINUED >>>
‘Hon the Glen! Naas await in semi showdown
The Kilkenny Observer Friday 03 December 2021
