Under 12 Hurling Championship

Carryduff Vs Ballyvarley

            The Under 12 Hurling Championship began on Friday night with Ballyvarley making the long journey to play Carryduff. Having narrowly beaten the home side earlier in the season the Reds knew they were in for a tough game.

And so it proved, as a mistake in the defence allowed a looping shot from the Carryduff forward to nestle in the Ballyvarley net – the worst possible start. This filled the home side full of confidence and the Reds found it hard going as Carryduff eagerly contested every ball. Slowly Ballyvarley got more into the game with Patrick Macken producing some good hurling to drive the ball up field, yet his shots just went wide of the goal.

Despite some heavy pressure on the Ballyvarley goal, they had some of the best chances of the half, Michael McAllister driving the sliothar just wide from 10 yards out, another chance hitting the post and Aidan McKernan just failing to convert from a melee in the box. This left Carryduff a goal to the good at half-time and more commitment needed from the Reds in the second half.

HALF-TIME:  Carryduff 1-0            Ballyvarley 0-0          

On the restart Ballyvarley began to show more bite with their challenges. Christopher Martin competed well at left half back, and Tony Hegarty began to dominate at centre-half back. With Patrick Macken showing well and Thomas McKernan battling in midfield, Ballyvarley created some good scoring opportunities.

Then the break through came when a poor clearance from the Carryduff defence found Aidan McKernan, who sent a ground drive to the net tieing the game at a goal-a-piece. Soon after a  thirty yard free was put over by Tony Hegarty as the Reds led for the first time in the match.

The game ebbed and flowed from end to end with chances for both sides. Carryduff converted a 20 yard free with 7 minutes to go, and scored a timely goal after some indecisiveness from the Ballyvarley rearguard. The Reds had it all to do, but they never gave up. Tony Hegarty played a captains role pushing forward at every opportunity and soloed in to reduce the deficit to two points. A minute later Ballyvarley had the ball in the net only for it to be disallowed for a square ball. With time ticking away Ballyvarley won a free on the 21yard line, with Tony Hegarty converting to leave the minimum between the sides.

Nearing the end of the game Aidan McKernan and Kieran Davis fought hard to win possessing to get the equalisier. It was not to be in vain as the Reds won a free in the dying seconds which Tony Hegarty converted to draw the game.

FULL-TIME:  Carryduff  2-1            Ballyvarley 1-4

            This was a below par performance from the Reds’, however despite being behind for large spells in the game the players showed resolve to grind back and get a draw. Tony Hegarty was best for Ballyvarley with exceptional clearances out of defence and pushed forward in the second half to score some great points. Christopher Martin acquitted himself well on his debut with a committed performance, while Aidan McKernan showed well upfront.        

Ballyvarley’s next game is the Championship replay against Carryduff at home. Date for match still to be arranged.

Ballyvarley Team: Conor McShane, Peter Lavery, Paul Colgan, James O’Meara, Conor Strain, Tony Hegarty (0-4), Christopher Martin, Thomas McKernan, Patrick Macken, Jonathan Lennon, Michael McKay, Aidan McKernan (1-0), Kieran Davis, Michael McAllister, Ciaran Heaney. Subs: Gary Kennedy, Rory McShane, Christopher Lennon, Stefan Toman.

Sent by Colm O’Neill.150 Scarva Road, Banbridge,BT32 3QG. Tel No: 028 406 25893