Abbeydorney crowned 2024 Garvey’s SuperValu County Senior Hurling Champions
Abbeydorney bridged a gap of 50 years to claim the 2024 County Senior Hurling title with a well-deserved win over Ballyduff 1-17 (20) to 1–10 (13) in Austin Stack Park, Tralee.
On the road to the final, both teams had scored heavily against opposition. Abbeydorney had notched up 9–74 in their 4 games, while Ballyduff had hit 13–86 in their 5 games plus semi-final extra-time. Which defence came out on top would have a big bearing on the result.
Abbeydorney’s back 7 had held opposition to 2–49, while Ballyduff’s defence had conceded 4–88 although with 1 extra game plus extra-time.
The huge crowd barely had time to settle into their seats when Michael O’Leary guided over a free followed by another from play to put Abbeydorney 2 up. This was to set the tone for the afternoon as Abbeydorney went in quest of their 5th County Senior Hurling title.
At the other end, the Abbeydorney defence was not giving an inch with some tenacious close marking of the Ballyduff forwards. Although Padraig Boyle was double-marked, he was still making just enough space to collect the sliotar.
However, he seemed to be missing that extra half yard, like his teammates, to get his shot off with his usual precision and deadly accuracy.
While the Ballyduff forwards were just not finding range, or being allowed to, racking up several first half wides, their Abbeydorney counterparts were having no such difficulty at the Mitchel’s end of Austin Stack Park.
A goal by Oisín Maunsell just before half-time saw the black-and-amber go in to the dressing rooms with a 1–11 to 0–05 lead much to the delight of their supporters.
A second-half fightback was to come from Ballyduff, but was matched by Abbeydorney who just seemed to be winning the sliotar in every position on the park. It wasn’t that Ballyduff weren’t up for it, Abbeydorney just seemed to want it a fraction more.
They matched Ballyduff score-for-score to keep their lead on the scoreboard ticking over, not giving their North Kerry rivals an inch with relentless harrying & tackling.
Abbeydorney kept this intensity up throughout the game. Jack O’Sullivan found the back of Conor Bohane’s net for Ballyduff, but it was too little too late. Had one of Padraig Boyle’s goal chances gone in, it would certainly have made for an exciting finish for the neutrals.
However, it was Abbeydorney who looked the more likely to score goals at the other end, as Ballyduff’s chasing the game left open space in front of Darragh Quinlan.
The clock ran out for a serious comeback for Pádraig Harrington’s men, but this was to be Abbeydorney’s day. The five-decade wait was over and as James O’Connor lifted the Neilus Flynn Cup presented by Kerry GAA Chairperson, Patrick O’Sullivan, there was a mixture of joy and relief for the Abbeydorney faithful. Jedd Maunsell was presented the Man-of-the-Match award by Kerry GAA County Senior Hurling and Football Championships sponsors, Garvey Group, Managing Director Kevin McCarthy.
Abbeydorney scorers
Michael O’Leary 0-07 (0-06f), Oisín Maunsell 1-02, Daniel O’Leary (0-2), Jack Sheehan (0-2), James O’Connor, Niall O’Mahoney, Calum O’Sullivan, Brendan O’Leary 0–01 each.
Ballyduff scorers
Padraig Boyle 0-04 (0-02f, 0-01 ’65), Jack O’Sullivan 1–02, Jack Goulding, Evan Boyle, Kevin Goulding, Adam Segal 0–01 each.
Abbeydorney team and panel
Conor Bohane, Kieran Dineen, Stephen Egan, Mikey Clifford, James O’Connor (C), Ronan Donovan, Jedd Maunsell, Tomás Ó hAiniféin, Daniel O’Leary, Niall O’Mahoney, Oisín Maunsell, Jack Sheehan, David Egan, Michael O’Leary, Calum O’Sullivan.
Subs: Jason Foley, Brendan O’Leary, Ruairí Ó hAiniféin, Kian Sheehan, PJ Keane, Keith O’Connor, Michael Slattery, Jack Parker, Damien Hogan, Jack Hannon, Jack Hannon, Gavin Slattery, Darragh O’Connell, Cian McCarthy, Daniel O’Mahoney, Shane Conway.
Abbeydorney Management
Manager Francis O’Halloran Selectors Brian Donovan, Niall O’Connell.
Ballyduff team and panel
Darragh Quinlan, Anthony Kavanagh, Paud Costelloe, Kyle O’Connor, Evan Boyle, Kevin Goulding , Daniel O’Carroll, Neal Mangan, Adam Segal, Jack O’Sullivan, Jack Goulding, Aidan O’Connor, Padraig Boyle (C), Dylan Moriarty, Luke Rochford.
Subs: PJ O’Gorman, Darragh Slattery, Aodhan Curley, JP O’Carroll, Thomas Slattery, Seán O’Connor, Aaron Whyte, Tommy Grady, Darragh Goulding, Jason Bowler, Michael Boyle, David Goulding, Killian Boyle, Padraig Slattery, Jack Enright.
Ballyduff Management
Manager Pádraig Harrington Coach Barry O’Grady Selectors Anthony O’Carroll, Colm Boyle.
