Ballyea win with Kilmihil duo

Ballyea: 2-12
Bodyke-Tulla: 1-5

BALLYEA scored a comprehensive win over Bodyke-Tulla in the final of the minor B hurling championship played in driving rain and wind at Gurteen on Saturday but whether or not they will be confirmed as champions remains to be seen.
The Ballyea line-up for the final included Stan Lineen and Martin O’Leary from Kilmihil, both of whom were earlier this season refused permission to play with Ballyea in this championship. At the beginning of the season, Kilmihil entered a team at minor level, as did Ballyea, and this led to the board refusing permission to Kilmihil players to assist Ballyea at minor level. The players in question were given permission to play with Ballyea at U-16 level and they were part of the Ballyea team that reached the U-16 final, where they lost to Sixmilebridge.
Neither were listed in the starting 15 on the match programme for Saturday’s final but both started. Lineen, wearing number 20, was at midfield, while O’Leary, wearing number 21, was at corner-forward. The decision of the Ballyea club to include both is expected to lead to an investigation by the board. It is understood that neither played in the earlier rounds of the championship.
A contribution of 1-9 from Tony Kelly inspired Ballyea to the victory. They were a better-balanced team in which their defence dominated throughout, ably led by Paul Flanagan and Cathal Doohan.
The foundations for the win were laid in the opening half when the winners played with the aid of the strong wind. They scored five points without reply in the opening quarter through Kelly (3), Gearoid O’Connell and team captain, Brian Murphy.
Goals from Kelly and James Murphy inside the last 10 minutes of the half left the Bodyke-Tulla combination with a mountain to climb and left the half-time score at 2-8 to 0-2 in favour of the winners.
The East Clare combination gave their followers some hope of success when they struck for 1-2 early in the second half but they failed to build on this as the Ballyea defence continued to dominate.
Paul Flanagan and Cathal Doohan stood out in their defence, while Jack Browne and David Sheehan got through a lot of good work. Gearoid O’Connell held the upperhand at midfield, while up front Kelly caused huge problems for the losers and Brian Murphy and Declan Keane also stood out.
Sam Edbrook, Gavin Moroney, Darragh Corry, David McInerney and Trevor Vaughan did best for the losers, who certainly missed the services of Cormac Lynch, who suffered a hand injury earlier in the week at training.

Ballyea: Shane Harkin; Cathal Doohan, Cormac Ryan, Eanna McInerney; David Sheehan, Paul Flanagan, Jack Browne; Gearoid O’Connell, Stan Lineen; Declan Keane, Brian Murphy (captain), Tony Kelly; Martin O’Leary, James Murphy, Niall Griffin.
Scorers: Tony Kelly (1-9, 0-4f), James Murphy (1-0), Gearoid O’Connell, Martin O’Leary and Brian Murphy (0-1 each).
Bodyke-Tulla: Sam Edbrook; John Fahy, Gavin Moroney, Manus McGuire; Oisin Molloy, Darragh Corry, Seán McGrath; David McInerney, Donnacda McNamara; Shane McNamara, Trevor Vaughan (capt), Niall Whelan; Tomás McMahon, Colm Halpin, Ciaran Malone.
Subs: Christopher McEvoy for McMahon and Craig Walsh for Malone.
Scorers: Trevor Vaughan (1-3, 1-2f), Colm Halpin and David McInerney (0-1 each).
Referee: Fergie McDonagh, St Joseph’s.