SETANTA CAME THROUGH a bruising Ulster Junior Club Hurling Championship quarter-final against Ballela from Down.
Setanta 1-18
Ballela 2-8
The Donegal champions were making an appearance in the competition for the first time in nine seasons and will have a skip in their step having overcome the side who reached the final just two years ago, with had Down’s Malachy Magee inside at full-forward finishing the day with 2-4.
It was a match that contained a nasty edge, with a red card almost inevitable with plenty of gestures being given to and by the crowd. Five minutes into the second half, Setanta goalkeeper Ciaran Bellew was given a straight red for stamping on Ryan McCusker.
However, the 14 men certainly rallied despite their numerical disadvantage and Bernard Lafferty goaded on 38 minutes to emphasise their dominance.
From there, with Kevin Campbell and Declan Couter keeping the scoreboard ticking over, Setanta had enough in the bank.
Two Campbell frees had Setanta 0-3 to 0-1 up before the opening goal of the contest came from a belter from Malachy Magee on seven minutes. Three minutes later, Coulter of Setanta almost got around Ballela’s goalkeeper Gary McMullan, only for a fine stop to prevent a Setata goal.
Colm Melaugh and Richie Kee, though, soon added points and Setanta, who were 0-7 to 1-2 up by the quarter-hour. There were plenty of meaty challenges going in to keep Antrim referee Martin McGann on his toes. The yellow cards he distributed were bordering on red card offences.
Michael Turley and Ryan McCusker from the visiting team and Setanta’s Alan McConnell were all fortunate to stay on the field.
Amid the battle, the scores dried up a little. And at half-time, Setanta were in front 0-10 to 1-3 but certainly not home and hosed.
Danny Cullen, who was enjoying a fine game, added to a Campbell free to put Setanta six up, before Browne was sent off and Dylan Lyton took over in goal and made an immediate save from Jonathan McCusker who tried for the cheeky one by going for goal from a free.
Lafferty then showed great composure to net the opening goal, cutting in from the right and peeling onwards to make an angle before piercing his shot home for a 1-12 to 1-3 Setanta lead.
The 14 men were keeping their eye on the ball, though, and their opponents at arm’s length, with Brendan Tourish pencilling his name on the scoreboard from corner-back.
A second goal from Magee with three minutes remaining did give the vociferous away support reason to cheer. Seanta were still seven in front, on a 1-17 to 2-9 scoreline.
Magee would add another point in the last minute but when the tills were counted it didn’t really matter. Campbell hit a magical free from the sideline in injury time. Setanta are on their way again.
Setanta: Ciaran Bellew ; Brendan Tourish (0-1), Simon McMenamin, Mark Callaghan; Alan McConnell, Martin Bonner, Niall Cleary; Richie Kee (0-1), Danny Cullen (0-1); Bernard Lafferty (1-0), Colm Melaugh (0-1), Mark Kane (0-1); Jonathan Carlin, Declan Coulter (0-6, 2f), Kevin Campbell (0-7, 6f). Subs: Dlyan Lynton for McConnell (36). Sub: Conor Gallen for Coulter (60).
Ballela: Gary McMullan; Peter Doyle, Daniel McCusker; Niall Burns, Jonathan McCusker (0-5, 3f), Michael Doyle; Kevin Close, Adam Harrison; Mark Toner, Michael Turley, Rory McPolin; Ryan McCusker, Malachy Magee (2-4, 2f), Mark Cosgrave. Subs: Ryan Cunningham for Harrison (40), Niall Savage (0-1) for McPolin (46), Ryan Harrison for McCusker (49), Gareth Burns for Cosgrave (51),
Referee: Martin McGann (Antrim)
Tags: