Wolfe Tones 3-18
Ballyea 0-12

Wolfe Tones became the first team to win a place in the quarter finals of the County senior hurling championship title race as a result of this comprehensive victory over Ballyea at Cusack Park on Saturday evening. After their impressive victory over Newmarket a week earlier, they followed up with another strong performance and fully justified favouritism when crushing Ballyea.
Starting with the same line up as took the field against Newmarket, they were in front from the eighth minute when Declan O'Rourke scored the first of their goals. Indeed O'Rourke caused a lot of problems for Ballyea and he finished the game with a very impressive tally of 1-7, all from play and looks set to prove a handful for any defence in this competition.
Ballyea had first use of the fresh wind and they opened the scoring in the first minute though inter county man Tony Griffin. They had the better of matters in the early minutes but failed to capitalise and two long range frees from goalkeeper Shane O'Neill were off target. In fact they had four wides in the first six minutes and could have had a lead of a few points at this stage.
David Reidy opened the winners' account in the fourth minute before O'Rourke struck for the opening goal four minutes later. Ballyea hit back with good points from Alan Hehir and a mighty Shane O'Neill effort from a 110m free before Reidy struck again for the Shannon outfit. Brian O'Connell and goalscorer O'Rourke followed with points as the winners opened a four point gap.
As the half progressed Wolfe Tones were getting a grip in vital positions and it took a good save by Shane O'Neill to deny Daithi O'Connell a goal at the start of the second quarter. By half time they had stretched their advantage to six points with the score at 1-10 to 0-7.
As in the first half, Ballyea scored first when play resumed but the winners quickly replied with a brace from Declan O'Rourke and Patsy Keyes.
Ballyea now moved half time substitute Brian Chambers to play as an extra defender in front of the full back line and while he cleared a lot of ball, the winners dominated the next fifteen minutes during which they scored 2-5 without reply to put the result beyond doubt.
Paul O'Rourke had their second goal in the ninth minute after a Bobby McPhillips delivery. Three Declan O'Rourke points were followed by one from Ronan Hehir before Daithi O'Connell got through for their third goal with ten minutes remaining.
Ballyea made a brief rally with points from substitutes Niall Keane and Francie O'Reilly and one from Donal Chambers. It was a case of too little too late for the losers and the Shannon men ran out easy winners and safely into the quarter finals.
Dermot and Declan O'Rourke, Brian O'Connell, David Reidy and Patsy Keyes were amongst those who stood out for the winners this time.
Daniel Ryan and Donal Chambers gave their all for the losers but their overall lack of experience cost them dearly.

Ballyea
Team: Shane O'Neill; Alan Carigg, Tomas Chambers, Daniel Ryan; Eamonn Griffin, John Griffin, Francie Griffin; Paddy O'Connell, Alan Hehir; Keith Devitt, Tony Griffin, Kevin Sheehan; John Sheehan, Donal Chambers, Michael Hehir;
Subs: Declan Meaney for E.Griffin(17 mins); Brian Chambers for Ml. Hehir(half time); Francie O'Reilly for F. Griffin(38 mins) Niall Keane for A. Hehir(43 mins).
Scorers: Tony Griffin(0-5), 4 frees; Donal Chambers(0-3); Shane O'Neill(free) Alan Hehir, Niall Keane, Francie O'Reilly(0-1) each)
Frees for: 11 65s: 0 Wides: 8
yellow cards: Michael Hehir(11 mins); Keith Devitt(35 mins)

REFEREE: Ger Lyons, Ruan

"We were over run in the second half and that was disappointing but they are a very strong side, physically strong and well able to use the ball. I hope that we can learn from this and become a better team as a result",
Tommy Guilfoyle, Ballyea.

Web design for Ballyea Hurling Club By Barry Coffey August 2005