And then there were four in Clare U15B hurling championship

Eoin Brennan focuses on this week’s U15B hurling championship QFs

Under 15B Hurling Championship Quarter-Final
Ballyea 0-16 O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke 0-12

BALLYEA passed a major test of character on Monday evening when belying their numerical disadvantage to finish the stronger in another inch-tight battle with O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke on home soil.
With only the minimum separating the sides in the amalgamation’s favour in their group meeting, the sides would go blow-for-blow once more in a compelling tie that would see the lead change times six times and be level on nine occasions by the two-thirds mark.
Ballyea proved the more efficient side in the final quarter however as O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke failed to turn their chances into scores or indeed benefit from a home dismissal entering the final ten minutes.
Instead, it was the outstanding leadership of Eoin Kennedy that finally cemented Ballyea’s passage to the last four as the midfielder fired two points along with a third from younger brother Dara to establish a four point winning margin.
Not since the 1960’s have any Kennedy brothers have had such an impact as along with the towering Eoin and Under 13 poacher Dara who combined for nine points of Ballyea’s total, youngest member Marc was also impressive in goal for the hosts.
Add in strong displays from Patrick Keane, Darragh O’Neill, the skilful Daniel Costelloe, chief target Luke Minogue and Brian Keane and overall, the home side just had the edge on balance.
That said, O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke’s centre-back Sean Boyce rivalled Eoin Kennedy for the player-of-the-game nod, scorer-in-chief Kyle Tuohy converted some excellent pressurised frees, Billy Moroney was a key ball carrier up front while the youngest addition Liam Murphy was a constant threat.
11 wides and two missed goal chances proved the East Clare combo’s ultimate undoing in a seesaw match in which every score was essential. Points were at a premium in a cagey opening quarter that saw Under 13 Liam Murphy open the scoring for the visitors, only to be overtaken by points from the Kennedy’s Eoin and Dara at 0-2 to 0-1.
The second quarter was much more fruitful as both sides had their period in the ascendancy. Kyle Tuohy levelled the tie for a second time in the 20th minute, Ballyea retook the lead through Luke Minogue and Eoin Kennedy before a three points burst through Sean Ryan, Tuohy and Billy Moroney nudged O’Callaghan’s Mils/Bodyke 0-5 to 0-4 in front.
However, just as it was at the first water break, Ballyea would also hold a minimum lead by the midway mark after brilliant points from Eoin Kennedy and Dillon Killoughery at 0-6 to 0-5.
The amalgamation did start the new half better with Tuohy (3) and Moroney matching a brace from Minogue to inch 0-9 to 0-8 clear before carving out what would prove a pivotal goal chance in the 37th minute.
It stemmed from a Sean Boyce ball over the top that was collected by Liam Murphy but goalkeeper Marc Kennedy would come to the home side’s rescue.
The sides would be deadlocked twice more by the 42nd minute at 0-10 to 0-10 but after inevitably scoring the leading point once more ahead of the final water break through Dara Kennedy, Ballyea would never look back as Eoin Kennedy stretched the lead to two before being denied a goal of their own.
The lively Eoin O’Connor’s teasing cross was brilliantly controlled and volleyed at the back post by Daniel Costelloe, only to be blocked by advancing goalkeeper Cormac Doyle.
Tuohy and Brian Keane traded points before the Mills/Bodyke’s second goal chance that saw Murphy’s shot just go the wrong side of the post before being pulled back for a free that Tuohy converted at 0-13 to 0-12 by the 51st minute.
Corner-back Daniel Browne would receive a second yellow for trying to impede Murphy’s passage but if anything, it only seemed to motivate Ballyea who would finish the with last three points in contrast to as many wides for their opponents.
Having emerged victorious from one battle, it’s straight onto the next as Ballyea’s semi-final showdown against Clooney-Quin takes place this Sunday in Clarecastle at 6pm. As the only other team to edge out Ballyea, again by the minimum, expect another thrilling wrestle for supremacy before a finalist is confirmed.

Ballyea: Marc Kennedy; Conor Hill, Patrick Keane, Daniel Browne; Eoin Costello, Sam Garry, Darragh O’Neill; Brian Keane (0-2), Eoin Kennedy (0-6, 3f); Cian O’Callaghan (0-1), Dillon Killoughery (0-1), Daniel Costelloe; Eoin O’Connor, Luke Minogue (0-3), Dara Kennedy (0-3)

O’Callaghan’s Mills/Bodyke: Cormac Doyle; Conor Walsh, Niall Melody, Killian Boland; Dylan Joyce, Sean Boyce, Sean Óg Kilkenny; Oscar Dowling, Sean Ryan (0-1); Martin Bon, Edan Buckley, Kyle Tuohy (0-8, 7f); Liam Murphy (0-1), Billy Moroney (0-2), Thomas Molloy
Sub: Donnacha Dobson for Molloy (54)

Referee: Kevin Corry (Sixmilebridge)

Clooney-Quin’s 4-26 to 2-10 passage to the last four of the Under 15B Hurling Championship stemmed from an exceptional first half that catapulted the home side into a 3-16 to 0-06 interval cushion over Scariff-Ogonnelloe on Monday evening.
Conor McCarthy, Sean McNamara, Daire White and PJ McCarthy stood out for the winners in a near perfect half but credit the Group 2 runners-up for their persistence as Scariff-Ogonnelloe matched their hosts throughout the second period helped by goals through Colin O’Grady and Luke Madden.
The other Under 15B penultimate stage clash will be between last year’s Under 14A finalists Kilmaley and Newmarket-on-Fergus in Crusheen, also at 6pm on Sunday. Kilmaley brought their perfect run to seven after a late goal in each half against Cratloe to run out 2-15 to 0-13 winners while Newmarket were embroiled in an 6-15 to 5-05 goalfest with Whitegate in Fr. Murphy Memorial Park on Tuesday evening.
A brace of goals each from Michael Power and Tristain Cullinan ensured a nine point half-time advantage for the Blues before a fifth major on the restart through Sean Arthur cemented the last semi-final spot.
The Under 15C Championship is also down to the final four after Smith O’Brien’s edged out neighbours Parteen by 5-11 to 0-17 while Banner produced a remarkable 21 point turnaround to finally see off hosts Ennistymon by 5-16 to 3-12 in their quarter-final clashes.
Top seed Wolfe Tones face Smith O’Brien’s in the first semi-final in Hamilton Park, Kilkishen on Sunday at 6pm while the following evening in Kilmaley, Crusheen/Tubber take on Banner at 7pm.
As the Under 15 season comes to a close in the next few weeks in both codes, there are also B Shield Semi-Finals on Monday evening at 7pm as Tulla host Corofin/Ruan while Feakle is the venue for Feakle/Killanena and Broadford.
The penultimate stage of the U15 Academy competitions also take place while the headline act is undoubtedly the much-awaited rematch between Inagh-Kilnamona and Sixmilebridge in the Under 15A Championship decider which is scheduled for Cusack Park on Monday at 7pm.