Ballyea got their 2022 Senior Hurling Championship group two campaign of to the perfect start after a convincing nine point victory over 2020 finalists O’Callaghan’s Mills.
It was the East Clare men who struck the first shot in anger when Jacob Loughnanne pointed from a free inside four minutes, however when Aaron Griffin equalised for Ballyea , the dual star ignited a spark in the champions that couldn’t be quenched.
The Clare football panelists were keen to prove they were just as prolific with the small ball as Ballyea followed up with a Cathal O’Connor Point before Pierce Lillis claimed the first major of the day putting Ballyea four points clear.
The first half was a hotly contested affair as Jacob Loughnanne continued to split the posts from placed balls, whilst contributions from Cormac Murphy, Gary Cooney and Aidan Fawl ensured the Mills stayed in touch.
Meanwhile Ballyea’s experience and class began to slowly but surely unfurl as the return of Gearóid ‘Gudgy’ O’Connell to the side as well as strong showings from Paul Flannagan bolstered the champion’s defence allowing the springboard for Tony Kelly ,Morgan Garry and Niall Deasy to add scores and ensure a comfortable five point advantage at the break.
The Half time score read Ballyea 1-10 to O’Callaghan’s Mills 0-08.
Immediately on the restart Aaron Griffin rattled Killian Nugent’s net and in doing so provided the catalyst for Ballyea creating a significant breathing space between the sides. with further scores from Tony Kelly ,Cathal O’Connor, Niall Deasy, Morgan Garry and Mossy Gavin.
Despite interventions from Jacob Loughnanne, Sean O’Gorman , Colin Crehan and a breath taking Gary Cooney goal, the Mills simply did not have the resources to scale the summit and Robbie Hogan’s side ran out comfortable winners on a full time score line of Ballyea 2-20 to O’Callaghan’s Mills 1-14.
Ballyea will face Broadford in the second round on Saturday July 30th in Shannon while the Mill’s chance at redemption comes next Sunday July 31st against Clarecastle in Cusack Park.
