Waterford Intermediate HC final: Ballyduff Upper 3-17 (26) Roanmore 3-10 (19)
Ballyduff Upper are Waterford intermediate hurling champions for a record fifth time as they easily accounted for Roanmore by seven points in a six-goal second half at Fraher Field.
2-1 from Tireoghain Flynn and 0-6 from play by Man of the Match Mikey Kearney proved decisive as the Western side moved a step closer towards a return to the senior ranks.
The Western champions led 0-11 to 0-6 at the interval as a wasteful Roanmore were left to rue eleven first-half wides.
Jamie Kearney opened the scoring after three minutes, before Mikey Kearney planted his feet to double the early advantage. Eoghan Barry opened the Sky Blues’ account approaching eight minutes, and quickly drove over from range to make it 0-2 apiece.
It was a tense opening quarter devoid of real quality, with Tireoghain Flynn winning a free which was sent over by Mikey Kearney, before Dean Reidy took off up the left flank to level again on 14 minutes.
Ballyduff clicked into gear from here, firing six points without response. Jamie Kearney notched his second as did Mikey Kearney with a trademark beauty, and that was the first of three on the spin from the former Waterford man as he began to run Darragh Power and the Roanmore defence ragged.
A great score from Sean Hickey made it 0-9 to 0-3, before Ethan Hayes hit the Sky Blues’ first score in eleven minutes. Dean Reidy split the posts from range, and it could soon have been a one-point affair on 27 minutes but for a fine save from Conor Sheehan to deny Brian Cooke.
Bill Keane and a Kearney free either side of a lovely touch, turn and score from Josh Sheridan made it 0-11 to 0-6 in Ballyduff’s favour at the break, and they were value for that advantage.
The second period burst into life from the beginning as Cooke was again denied by Sheehan, but Sheridan was on hand to kick the rebound to the net and make it a two-point game on 32 minutes. Ballyduff’s response was empathetic as they led by fifteen points barely ten minutes after.
Keane found his second, before Tireoghain Flynn opened his account – and on 36 minutes, the full forward was sent racing through by Mikey Kearney and he calmly slotted past Tadhg Ryan to make it 1-13 to 1-6.
Pa Kearney’s men were cruising now as Quentin Joyce opened his shoulders before Mikey Kearney sliced over his fifth from play. On 45 minutes, they struck a second goal – Keane and Hickey combining to tee up Jamie Kearney who blazed to the top right corner to send the supporters into raptures.
Ballyduff Upper were in dreamland on 48 minutes as a long delivery bounced perfectly into the path of Flynn on 48 minutes, and he duly obliged to bring his tally to 2-1 and his side’s to 3-15.
Brian Cooke pulled to the net immediately at the opposite end but it was insurmountable mountain for Roanmore, as despite points from Ryan, Reidy and Barry and another close range finish from Cooke – Kearney and Ballyduff Upper were hurling with freedom, Sean Hickey capping off the win with a fine strike as the Western champions deservedly returned to the premier intermediate ranks – dedicating the win to their late teammate Killian English and club stalwart Mike Kearney.
Scorers for Ballyduff Upper: Mikey Kearney (0-8; 0-2f); Tireoghain Flynn (2-1); Jamie Kearney (1-2); Bill Keane and Sean Hickey (0-2 each); Shane Kearney and Quentin Joyce (0-1 each).
