*Tony Kelly hits a trademark score off his left side. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill BALLYEA’S HURLING FIELD was not just where one of the country’s finest hurlers Tony Kelly honed his craft but also the spot where his greatest friendships and bonds blossomed.
BALLYEA ARE HEADING to the Munster club senior hurling final after edging out Cork champions St Finbarr’s.
*Tomás Kelly celebrating St Joseph’s Tulla’s Harty Cup win over Ard Scoil Rís. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill COUNTY FINALS ARE OFTEN won by “the supporting cast” and that is likely to be the case in Sunday’s eagerly awaited clash between Ballyea and Éire Óg, Harty Cup winning coach Tomás Kelly maintained.
*Clare goalkeeper, Eibhear Quilligan. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill CLARE GOALKEEPER, Eibhear Quilligan has said match-ups in Sunday’s senior hurling final are “going to be really intriguing” while pinpointing the middle third as the area where the game will be won and lost.
*Mossy Gavin scored 0-06 for the winners. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill 14 man Ballyea powered through to their fourth Clare Senior Hurling Championshp Final in seven seasons after keeping familiar rivals Cratloe at arm’s length in Cusack Park Ennis on Saturday afternoon.
JAMES Murphy has been ever-present at wing back on the three Ballyea teams to taste senior championship glory.
*Brandon O’Connell. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill Two-time senior champions Ballyea completed the semi-final line-up for the Clare SHC after coming out on top in a hard-fought encounter with rivals Kilmaley.
Ballyea secured top spot in Group 2 of the Clare SFC by grinding out a draw with Cratloe on Sunday afternoon.
*Stan Lineen offloads as Jamie Fitzgibbon closes in. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill A Crusheen side in transition are experiencing ‘difficult lessons’ at the senior grade, manager Kevin Sheehan admitted.
A strong third quarter in which they outscored their opponents 0-9 to 0-2 proved decisive as Ballyea recorded a second win in this season’s senior hurling championship.
