Joy for Ballyduff at the final whistle.
Ballyduff Lower 3-9; Dunhill 2-5
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Ballyduff Lower captured the Eastern Intermediate Football title with a convincing win over old rivals Dunhill in Carrickbeg last Saturday evening. This game was delayed for almost an hour during the first half when Dunhill centre-forward PJ McGrath suffered a serious leg injury. The referee was forced to stop the game while we waited for an ambulance to take the stricken McGrath to hospital. Unexpectedly, the delay had a negative impact on the Dunhill side and it was Ballyduff who went on to take the title and a place in the County final.
Dunhill were the first to settle in this final and a foul by John O’Leary on Will Sexton led to a Dunhill penalty after five minutes. The task of taking the penalty was handed to the youthful Davin Phelan and the teenager held his nerve and slotted the penalty away. The same player then converted a free to give Dunhill a four point lead after fifteen minutes.
Things got even better for Dunhill a minute later, when Will Sexton gained possession in front of the Ballyduff goal and fired it past Marcus Millea.
With twenty minutes gone, Ballyduff finally got off the mark when Jack Kennedy fisted their opening score.
Then came the serious injury to PJ McGrath and the game was held up for 55 minutes.
When the game eventually got underway again, Davin Phelan sent over another free for Dunhill.
Ballyduff looked in serious trouble at this stage and a major reorganisation was required. John O’Leary was moved to centre-forward and Jack Kennedy was shifted out to midfield in an effort to stem the Dunhill tide.
See The Munster Express newspaper for full story and photos.
See The Munster Express newspaper for full story and photos.
