Referee Tim O'Byrne blows his whistle amid tense moments during Sunday's county SHC semi-final clash at Fraher Field.
Lismore 1-22 Ballyduff Upper 2-12
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Lismore won the right to contest this year’s county senior hurling final against Ballygunner by virtue of a 1-22 to 2-12 win over neighbours Ballyduff Upper in the second of last Sunday’s semi-finals at Fraher Field.
Minus the services of army-tied Stephen Molumphy, Ballyduff Upper really put it up to Lismore in a first half that ebbed and flowed, with Brendan Hannon and Adrian Power standing out for the Village side. But in the second half Lismore took control and were truly worthy winners.
Brendan Hannon opened the scoring with just 33 seconds on the clock and when Patrick Kearney drew a great save from Brendan Landers in the Lismore goal just two minutes later – from which he pointed the rebound – it looked as if the 2007 county champions could coast to victory.
Maurice Shanahan quickly responded with two points for Lismore from placed balled to level matters before Lismore took the lead in the seventh minute after Pádraig Prendergast collected a loose ball following a fantastic Adrian Power save from Dave Bennett.
Stephen O’Keeffe then doubled Lismore’s lead with a well-taken point before Brendan Hannon unusually missed a 45-metre free for Ballyduff with nine minutes played.
Maurice Shanahan and Dave Bennett pointed for Lismore to give them a four-point lead and the pendulum had well and truly swung their way.
