Ballinakill secure Premier Intermediate semi-final place with victory over Clough-Ballacolla

Ballinakill have safely navigated their way to the semi-final stage of this year’s Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship after a convincing win over Clough-Ballacolla.

Ballinakill 1-24

Clough-Ballacolla 0-15

A point from Ethan Drury straight from the throw in saw Ballinakill open the scoring this evening in the second quarter-final of  the Premier IHC in Laois Hire O’Moore Park. Clough-Ballacolla soon followed suit with a free converted by Kevin Hyland, followed by two points from play from Shane Hyland. 

Ballinakill soon made it double scores as they fired over five points in a row all from play. Two points from Paul Simms followed by a score from Cian O’Shaughnessy. Seamus Fitzpatrick also opened his account with two points, one a fabulous over his shoulder effort under serious pressure from the Clough-Ballacolla back line. 

Clough Ballacolla won a free around the 45’ line which was hit over by Kevin Hyland with ease. Ballinakill added to their tally from their own 45’ line as Duggan split the posts.

The next two scores were traded as Kevin Hyland pointed a free while Paul Simms replied for Ballinakill. The next three scores came courtesy of Killian Fitzpatrick’s men as Drury and two placed balls from Duggan put Ballinakill ahead by six points. Kevin Hyland took his tally to four points in the first half as he pointed a 65’. Ballinakill’s next score would be a goal as Gearoid Lynch rattled the back of the Clough-Ballacolla net with goalkeeper Peter Rafter almost getting his hurl up to block the shot. Fitzpatrick ended the half with another point for Ballinakill as they held a nine-point advantage at the break.

Clough-Ballacolla began the second-half on the front foot as they raised the first two white flags of the half, Joe Corby pointed both of them. Cathal O’Shaughnessy responded for Ballinakill with a score from play.

Clough-Ballacolla responded well with three scores unanswered as Kevin Hyland raised a white flag from play as well as from a 65’ while Thomas Brennan also dissected the posts.

Ballinakill responded with three points of their own as Duggan scored two with Fitzpatrick adding another to his already impressive tally. Kevin Hyland and Cathal O’Shaughnessy traded scores from play as Michael Fleming was called into action to save from Chris Rafter from close-range. Kevin Hyland kept the scoreboard rising for Clough-Ballacolla with a point from play.

The game was all but over after the next bout of scoring as Ballinakill fired over six points without reply. Duggan adding to his tally while Fitzpatrick, Simms, Jamie Drury and Dan Bergin all raised white flags too.

Shane Hyland and Kevin Hyland both got late points for Clough-Ballacolla with Gearoid Lynch pointing the game’s final score to secure a comfortable win in the end.