THE NATIONALIST
Saturday 17th May 2003

Killenaule pull clear in second half for five-in-a-row

South Under-21 Hurling Championship 'A' Final

Killenaule 2-14; Ballingarry 0-6

• Killenaule confirmed their rating as kingpins of under 21 hurling in the division by sweeping aside the challenge of arch-rivals, Ballingarry at Fethard on Saturday evening to win their fifth consecutive John Carew Investments South Tipperary under 21 'A' hurling championship.
  
  The final scoreline suggests a runaway victory for the holders but they met stubborn resistance from a younger Ballingarry side who were still in this game with every chance when the sides were deadlocked on 0-5 apiece after 40 minutes.
  
  With both sides squandering scoring opportunities during a low key opening 30 minutes and Killenaule leading 0-4 to 0-3 at the break, it was a game that could go either way.
  
  Ten minutes into the second half Killenaule then changed gear however and with four points in as many minutes from Jonathan Gleeson (2), Michael Farrell and Christy Bergin they led 0-9 to 0-5 facing into the last quarter. Ballingarry had faltered and the champions were on their winning way.
  
  With ten minutes to go Killenaule were dealt a blow when they had their substitute full-forward, Martin Shelley sidelined by referee, Noel Cosgrove on a straight red card for pulling across his marker. Before the dust had settled however, Ballingarry were also down to 14 men when wing-forward Trevor Ivors also saw red for a similar breach of the rules.
  
  After Killenaule then stretched their lead to seven points with further scores from Richard Maher, Gleeson and Joe Caesar they ran riot late in the game with both corner-forwards, Kieran Bergin and Jonathan Gleeson each bagging 1-1 to leave a disappointed Ballingarry, who scored only three times in each half, fourteen points adrift at the final whistle.
  
  It was a historic five-in-a-row for Killenaule and there was much celebrating as team captain, Tony Doyle was presented with the Flynn Cup by John Carew of Carew Investments, Clonmel, assisted by vice-chairman of the Board, Miceál McCormack.
  
  Playing with the strong breeze, Ballingarry who were without their influential midfielder, Darragh Walton, had the opening point from Trevor Ivors after six minutes and after a slick exchange between Richard Maher, Kieran Bergin and Michael Farrell the ball reached Michael O'Connor who tied the score on eleven points.
  
  A Jonathan Gleeson pointed free and a fine Joe Caesar score from play put Killenaule ahead 0-3 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter. With Brian Cooney grabbing Ballingarry's second point in the 16th minute and their sold defence led by Joe Ivors and Eamon Cahill closing down the Killenaule attackers patrons waited until the 27th minute when corner forward, Johnny Holohan fired over Ballingarry's equaliser leaving it 0-3 apiece.
  
  With the wides still mounting for both sides Ballingarry's goalkeeper, Alan Cooney had brought off two notable saves to deny the champions certain goals before Martin Shelley who had replaced full-forward, Sean Purcell grabbed the lead for Killenaule with an injury time point leaving it 0-4 to 0-3 at the break.
  
  When play resumed a well-struck Joe Caesar free widened the gap on 34 minutes but Killenaule were living dangerously and after Johnny Holohan had cut into their lead the game was squared again when he pointed another free in the 41St minute.
  
  The game was then lost and won in the next five minutes with the holders hitting the front with all important points from Gleeson (42nd minute free), Michael Farrell (43rd minute), Christy Bergin (44th) and Gleeson (45th free) giving them a clear advantage facing the closing 15 minutes.
  
  The two red card dismissals followed and Killenaule widened the gap with three more unanswered points from Richard Maher, Gleeson and Caesar (free) leaving it 0-12 to 0-5.
  
  Thomas Cleere pulled one back for Ballingarry before Kieran Bergin with 1-1 and Jonathan Gleeson 1-1 in added time wrapped it up for a historic win for the reigning champions.
  
  Key performers for Killenaule in this memorable win were Noel O'Grady, Vinny Hannigan, Tony Doyle, Keith Kennedy, Joe Caesar, John Grace, Michael Farrell, Kieran Bergin and top-scorer, Jonathan Gleeson.
  
  Best for a gallant Ballingarry side who only faded from the scene in the closing stages were Alan Cooney, Joe Ivors, Eamon Cahill, L.P. O'Brien, Brian Cooney, David Cashin, Trevor Ivors and Johnny Holohan.
  
  Killenaule: Jonathan Gleeson 1-6 (0-3 frees), Kieran Bergin 1-1, Joe Caesar 0-3 (0-2 frees), Michael Connors, Martin Shelley, Michael Farrell, Richard Maher 0-1 each.
  
  Ballingarry: Johnny Holohan 0-3 (0-2 frees), Trevor Ivors, Brian Cooney, Thomas Cleere 0-1 each.
  
  Killenaule: Gerry Kennedy, John O'Dwyer, Noel O'Grady, Ian Murphy, Vinny Hannigan, Tony Doyle, Keith Kennedy, Joe Richard Maher, Michael Farrell, Michael O'Connor, Kieran Bergin, David Blake, Jonathan Gleeson. Sub: Martin Shelley for D. Blake.
  
  Ballingarry: Alan Cooney, Garry Fitzpatrick, Caesar, John Grave, LP. O'Brien, John Mangan, Joe Ivors, Eamon Cahill, Philip Ivors, Brian Cooney. David Cashin, Trevor Ivors, Donal Norton, Thomas Cleere, Sean Purcell. Johnny Holohan, Seanie Cahill. Sub: John Fitzgerald for D. Cashin.
  
  Referee: Noel Cosgrave, Marlfield.