(JJ Hurley)
Tracton 2-15
Belgooly 1-16
Tracton knocked out reigning champions Belgooly in a thrilling Ross Oil Junior A Hurling Championship semi-final in Riverstick on Sunday.
Belgooly’s indiscipline played a major role in their defeat, as Tracton’s Ronan Walsh consistently capitalised on every opportunity throughout the match. Both defences were strong, but two crucial goals for Tracton, one in each half, along with a standout performance from Sean Kiely, proved decisive
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Tracton got off to a dream start when Ronan Walsh found the net after an initial save by Ruairi Dwyer. Belgooly almost responded immediately, but Kevin Fitzgerald’s effort was denied by Sean O’Sullivan, and Barry Dwyer slotted the resulting ’65 over the bar.
Dwyer continued to impress, producing a brilliant save from Mark Byrne as the game hung in the balance. Tracton, however, kept pushing for goals, with Sean Kiely eventually sending over a sideline ball.
Barry Dwyer and Ronan Walsh were lethal from placed balls, and by the 20th minute, Tracton led 1-3 to 0-3. Belgooly fought back through Conor and Eoin O’Donovan, who kept their team in contention with two fine points
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The game swung further in Belgooly’s favour just before half-time when Eddie Corkery set up Eoin O’Donovan, who blasted the ball into the Tracton net. Tracton remained composed, and points from Kiely and O’Sullivan ensured they went into the break leading 1-10 to 1-8.
Two minutes into the second half, Tracton extended their lead with points from Walsh and O’Sullivan, but Gearoid O’Riordan answered back with a long-range free to keep Belgooly in touch.
As the match continued, it was Belgooly who briefly took control, with Eoin O’Donovan, Sean Kiely, and Ryan Long narrowing the gap to 1-12 to 1-11 by the 40th minute.
The sides were level again by the 50th minute after another Barry Dwyer free. However, with five minutes remaining, Tracton’s Cian Quinn found the net, giving his side the crucial advantage.
Although Eoin O’Donovan managed to pull back a point, Belgooly couldn’t find the goal they desperately needed. David Byrne secured the final score of the game with a late free, sealing Tracton’s victory.
Scorers:
Tracton: R. Walsh 1-7 (6f, 1 ’65), M. O’Sullivan 0-4, C. Quinn 1-0, D. Byrne (2f), S. Kiely (1s) 0-2 each.
Belgooly: B. Dwyer 0-7 (2f, 1 ’65), E. O’Donovan 1-3, G. O’Donovan, R. Long 0-2 each, C. O’Donovan, S. Kiely 0-1 each.
Teams:
Tracton: S. O’Sullivan; D. Good, K. Healy, J. Lynch; J. Good, R. Sinclair, G. Webb; P. O’Riordan, K. Walsh; D. Harrington, S. Kiely, D. Byrne; R. Walsh, M. O’Sullivan, M. Byrne.
Subs: C. Quinn for R. Walsh (45), J. Kingston for M. Byrne (52), T. McGuinness for D. Harrington.
Belgooly:
R. Dwyer; C. O’Sullivan, N. O’Sullivan, J. O’Sullivan; T. O’Donovan, G. O’Riordan, R. Reynolds; S. Kiely, C. O’Donovan; K. Fitzgerald, E. O’Donovan, B. Dwyer; R. Long, J. Dwyer, E. Corkery.
Referee: Brian Coniry
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