BERNARD O CALLAGHAN MEMORIAL SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 2020. IN ASSOCIATION WITH MCMUNNS BAR AND RESTAURANT, BALLYBUNION. Quarter Final

Report by Jack Hennessy

BALLYDUFF  1-8       CASTLEISLAND DESMONDS  2-11

Castleisland Desmonds general efficiency in attack and the goalscoring ability in particular was the difference between these two evenly matched sides with both teams having to line out without some regulars; but on this occasion it was Ballyduff that were the harder hit. Played at Frank Sheehy Park, Listowel on Saturday evening last the men in Blue and White showed that greater cutting edge to book that semi final spot and especially the timing of their goals was crucial to the end result; Alan O Donoghue struck for the first goal just on the second water break putting his side ahead by 4 while substitute P J Curtin found the net 5 minutes later to put plenty daylight between the sides as we approached the final whistle. The opening half saw play swing from end to end but the scoring began with Luke Lyons fisting over after 30 seconds to put the Islanders in front. Paul O Carroll full back for Ballyduff soon after put in a  timely interception and saved this situation with a goal looming that went out for a 45; out came Stephen Bartlett the Desmonds keeper to split the posts. However at the other end the Duffers were having none of it; Dylan Moriarty and Kevin Goulding were impressing, and a massive free from 35 meters out on the Stand side facing the graveyard end was put over the bar by Michael Slattery. At this stage there was a terrific battle at midfield between Luke Lyons and Maurice Hickey for Desmonds and Ballyduffs Paud Costello and Jack O Sullivan and on this occasion Jack O Sullivan fielded immaculately; found the roving Michael Slattery and he danced his way around would be defenders to slide the ball out of reach of the diving Stephen Bartlett to put Ballyduff ahead; 1-1 to 0-2 after 7 minutes. It was still nip and tuck with no quarter asked or given. Thomas Hickey who was causing plenty problems for the Ballyduff defence along with Cian W O Connor and Full back Maurice Lynch who was often found on an attacking position keeping a watchful eye on the roving Barry O Grady; put over from a free which was followed by Cian W O Connor to level up the tie as we headed for the first water break before Alan O Donoghue put his side ahead; Desmonds 0-5 Ballyduff 1-1. Back to the action and it was Desmonds who finished the half the stronger but it must be stated Ballyduff wasted a few scoring opportunities. Thomas Hickey kicked over 2 frees, Cian O Connor added another while Ballyduffs only reply came from number 11 Philip Lucid. Coming to the half time break Desmonds suffered a cruel blow when their star forward Thomas Hickey went down with a leg injury and had to be stretchered off. Half Time Castleisland Desmonds 0-8 Ballyduff 1-2. On resumption the Duffers were quick out of traps and started to cause endless problems to Desmonds defence and by the 8 minute had levelled up the game ; Desmonds 0-8 Ballyduff 1-5; Barry O Grady with 3 frees and in fact in that space of time Desmonds had only one half hearted attack. However they settled and as already stated came probably the most crucial score of the game when Cian O Connor fly-kicked to the net just on the sound of the second water-break giving his side a 4pt lead. Suddenly it was the Islanders who had the bit between their teeth and they continued to dominate and when substitute P J Curtin finished to the net in the 24^th minute the game was up for Ballyduff. Kevin Goulding did reduce the lead to 5 but a late point from full forward Cian W O Connor closed the scoring. Teams and scorers; Castleisland Desmonds; Stephen Bartlett, Conor O Shea, Maurice Lynch, Brian Leonard, Denis O Connor, Ryan McGuire, Gearoid Leonard, Luke Lyons, 1pt, Maurice Hickey, 1pt, Adam O Donoghue, 1-1, Thomas Lynch, Sean Lynch, Thomas Hickey, 4pts, Cian W O Connor, 0-4, Cian O Connor. Subs, Pat Fitzgerald for Cian O Connor, P J Curtin, 1gl for Thomas Hickey, inj, Barry Lynch for Adam O Donoghue. Ballyduff; Kevin O Connor, Thomas Slattery, Paul O Carroll, Kyle O Connor, Mike O Halloran, Padraig Walsh, Darragh Slattery, Paud Costello, Jack O Sullivan, Dylan Moriarty, Philip Lucid, 1pt, Anthony O Carroll, Michael Slattery, 1-2, Barry O Grady, 3pts, Kevin Goulding, 2pts. Subs; David Goulding for Anthony O Carroll, Sean Costello for Barry O Grady, Padraig Slattery for Paud Costello, Nathan McGrath for Philip Lucid. Referee; Dermot Hughes, Listowel Emmets.

BERNARD O CALLAGHAN MEMORIAL SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 2020. IN ASSOCIATION WITH MCMUNNS BAR AND RESTAURANT, BALLYBUNION.

SEMI FINALS

After the game the draw for the semi finals of the championship were made by North Kerry Football Board and it resulted as;

Castleisland Desmonds v Beale

Ballydonoghue                v Brosna

Dates and Venues to be confirmed.