Ballyvarley
senior hurlers got off to a perfect
start to the new season with a
convincing seven point win over
Ballygalget
Senior Hurling League: Ballyvarley
Vs Ballygalget
Ballyvarley senior hurlers got off
to a perfect start to the new season
with a convincing seven point win
over Ballygalget. Played at home in
perfect conditions the Reds were
eager from the start, biting into
challenges and creating numerous
scoring opportunities. Despite all
this it was the visitors who were
the first to get off the mark with
an accurately pointed free. The
teams were level soon after when a
good run from David McGovern fed
Sean Kennedy to deliver to Eunan
McConville who duly sent it over in
a crisp flowing move.
David McGovern and James McGrath
were carrying on their form of last
year, James a rock at the back
providing the ammunition and David
McGovern at midfield creating and
taking scoring chances. David got
his first of the night from a 35
yard free, sending it over with
consummate ease. Eunan McConville
was enjoying a great game at right
half-forward causing the Ballygalget
defence lots of problems and after
losing his marker once again he sent
the ball between the uprights for
another point.
Ballyvarley were winning
a lot of ball in midfield at this
stage and Conor Lavery showed this
with an excellent run out wide on
the left and somehow squeezing the
sliothar over from a very difficult
angle.
The whole Ballyvarley
defence was performing well at this
stage, David Lavery and James
McGrath being ably assisted by Conor
McClorey at full-back while Michael
Cairns and Sean Kennedy were having
tremendous games at half-back.
Then the fireworks really started.
Darren Mackin received the ball just
in the opposing half and went on a
mazy solo run that ended with a deft
finish to the bottom right hand
corner of the net. Minutes later
Conor Lavery goaled himself. He won
the ball on the left before rifling
the sliothar into the same corner of
the goals.
Ballygalget could only reply with
two points from frees to leave the
Reds in a commanding seven point
lead at the break.
HALF-TIME: Ballyvarley 2-4
Ballygalget 0-3
The Reds began the second half as
they had finished the first, with a
goal. Tremendous early pressure was
rewarded when John O’Neill latched
on to a loose ball and sent a ground
stroke into the net.
Another point from Eunan McConville
before a wonderful long range score
from David McGovern saw the home
side race into a twelve point lead.
David McGovern and the opposition
traded points-a-piece before
Ballygalget started to ease
themselves back into the game. So
far in the lead the Ballyvarley men
physically seemed to switch off and
Ballygalget nearly took full
advantage.
The visitors grabbed two points in a
row before goaling with seven
minutes to go, to give the Ardsmen
the hope of an unlikely comeback.
The normally tight Reds defence
began to lose shape and Ballyvarley
began to find it hard to win
possession from their puck outs.
However a David McGovern point soon
settled the ship as Ballyvarley
ended the game with a good seven
point win.
FULL-TIME: Ballyvarley 3-8
Ballygalget 1-7
This was a good win for the Reds
although they know they will have to
be more focused in the later stages
of games from now on. In defence
James McGrath, Sean Kennedy, David
Lavery and Michael Cairns really
shone, Conor Lavery and David
McGovern worked tirelessly in
midfield, while upfront Eunan
McConville was excellent and Darren
Mackin was always a danger.
Ballyvarley Team
Cathal O’Neill, Conor
McClorey, James McGrath, David
Lavery, Sean Kennedy, Colm O’Neill,
Michael Cairns, Conor Lavery (1-1),
David McGovern (0-4), Eunan
McConville (0-3), Darren Mackin
(1-0), Ciaran Connolly, John O’Neill
(1-0), Conor Grew, Niall Savage.
Sub: Leigh McConville.
