Kilkenny SHL- McEvoy spearheads Graigue Ballycallan win over the ‘Bridge
Graigue Ballycallan 1-23 Bennettsbridge 3-12
Graigue Ballycallan made a winning start to the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League when running out five-point winners over Bennettsbridge in Dunnamaggin on Sunday afternoon.
Aaron McEvoy was the standout performer on show for the Ballycallan men with his 1-13 tally catching the eye and his first half goal put the team in a strong position ahead of a commanding second half.
Bennettsbridge had made a bright start with James Hughes scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes but they faded badly in the second half and if it wasn’t for a stoppage time goal from Timmy Kelly, the margin would have been a lot worse for Brian Lannon’s side. With Bill Hughes playing around the square and Liam Blanchfield coming in off him, the Bridge wasted no time in launching direct ball towards the Ballycallan goal with a delivery from David Blanchfield knocked down by James Hughes. Bill Hughes was there to put the ball to the net and give his side an early 1-1 to 0-0 advantage.
Graigue Ballycallan got back to within two points through efforts from Aaron McEvoy and Jesse Roberts but the Bridge were soon celebrating again when Bill Hughes fired a shot past Sean McGrath as they doubled their goal tally. The Bridge maintained a degree of control at this point but the concession of frees kept Ballycallan very much in touch and Aaron McEvoy was on his A-game with the placed balls.
In fact bar, Jesse Roberts two scores at the start of the half, McEvoy was the only man to get on the scoresheet in the opening period for Ballycallan.
In contrast, the likes of Sean Morrissey and Hugh O’Neill scored from play for the Bridge in addition to a couple of James Hughes frees indecision at the back really allowed Ballycallan back into the game.
With just two minutes of the half remaining Richie Keoghan delivered a ball down the line to Aaron McEvoy and the former All-Ireland colleges winner with St Kieran’s showed his pace as he ran through on goal before finishing to the net.
James Hughes and Hugh O’Neill did add on the final scores of the half leaving the Bridge ahead on a 2-8 to 1-9 scoreline at the break. The leaders made a fast start to the second period as David Blanchfield and Bill Hughes split the posts while Ciaran Brennan also had a good goal chance saved by Sean McGrath.
Another goal there and the Bridge would have been hopeful of hanging on as what followed was a huge onslaught from their opponents.
Back to back frees from McEvoy and Billy O’Neill got the ball rolling and while James Hughes stalled the momentum briefly, a seven point tally without reply powered the the Kilmanagh side clear on the scoreboard. McEvoy added three frees during that spell but he also got one from play in addition to Conor Flynn and Tommy Ronan finding their range and all of a sudden, Ballycallan led by four going down the stretch.
A James Hughes 65 which was the Bridge’s first score in 13 minutes left three in it but with McEvoy, Jesse Roberts, Tommy Ronan and Colum Prenderville all scoring, Ballycallan quickly put the game to bed and even a late Timmy Kelly goal only served as consolation for Bennettsbrisge.
Teams and Scorers
Graigue Ballycallan: Aaron McEvoy (1-13, 12fs); Jesse Roberts, Tommy Ronan (0-3 each); Conor Flynn (0-2); Billy O’Neill (0-1, 1f); Colum Prenderville (0-1)
Bennettsbridge: Bill Hughes (2-1); James Hughes (0-5); Timmy Kelly (1-0); Sean Morrissey (0-3); David Blanchfield (0-1, 1f); Ciaran Brennan (0-1)
Graigue Ballycallan: Sean McGrath; Billy Dowling, Tom Dunphy, Richie Keoghan; Colum Prenderville, Billy O’Neill, Steven Keoghan; Jeff Neary, Jack Walton; Conor Flynn, Jesse Roberts, Tommy Ronan; Aaron McEvoy, Patrick Foley, Ryan Corcoran.
Subs: Eoghan Cahill for Corcoran, 41 mins; Cormac Neary for Foley, 59 mins; Ben McEvoy for Walton, 59 mins.
Bennettsbridge: Nicky Cleere; Shane Byrne, Enda Morrissey, Kyle Ryan; Conor Murphy, David Blanchfield, Timmy Kelly; Jimmy Lennon, Jamie Harkin; Sean Morrissey, Bill Hughes, Hugh O’Neill; Ciaran Brennan, Liam Blanchfield, James Hughes.
Subs: Jack Campion for Harkin, 50 mins; Charlie Fitzgerald for Brennan, 50 mins; Stephen Holden for O’Neill, 58 mins.
Referee: Brian Fox