Stradbally see off Crettyard to advance to Kelly Cup final 

Stradbally 1-16 

Crettyard 1-4 

STRADBALLY have set up a meeting with O'Demspey's in the Kelly Cup final after overcoming Crettyard comfortably in Stradbally on Wednesday night The hosts led from start to finish and more than deserved the victory which sets up a clash with O'Demspey's.

Playing with a huge wind in the first half the hosts opened up an eight-point gap before Crettyard got on the score sheet and ultimately that was the winning of the game, as the home side were at their ease for the rest of the encounter.

The excellent Fionn McEvoy got the scoreboard ticking for the home side. They then made use of a strong enough wind and seven more points followed.

Eoin Buggie got three including a brilliant two pointer, while McEvoy added a brace with Liam Knowles and Cillian Maher on target which ended the game as a contest.

Crettyard struggled to get going all the way through and found it difficult to breakdown the brilliant Stradbally defence.

The away side finally got on the scoresheet in the 23rd minute through a brilliantly taken goal from Jonah Kelly to give his side hope that a comeback was on the cards.

Kelly added a free before half time, but Stradbally were in control leading 0-9 to 1-1.

Crettyard would need a fast start to the half to get back in the game, but it took them 25 minutes of the half to get a score and by then Stradbally were out of sight and rang the changes in the process.

Cillian Maher would add a further brace of frees as Stradbally were attacking at will. McEvoy then showed brilliantly for a ball and got another point to his name.

Sean Maher came up from corner back and went on an individual run and raised the white flag which was arguably the score of the game. Stradbally then ended the game completely has they found the back of the net through Joe Larkin. Tom Shiel's ball fell short and the Crettyard keeper fumbled it with Larkin on hand to find the back of the net.

Jody Dillon, Tom Shiel and Larkin all hit points to finish the scoring for the home side. Crettyard finished the game through a two pointer from Cormac Murphy and a point from Kelly, but there was no stopping Stradbally as they advance to the final.

That final, against O'Dempsey's, will take place next Wednesday night in Crettyard with throw-in at 7.45pm. 

SCORERS:

Stradbally: Fionn McEvoy 0-4, Joe Larkin 1-1, Eoin Buggie (1 tp), Cillian Maher (f) 0-3 each, Jack Deegan, Liam Knowles, Sean Maher, Jody Dillon and Tom Shiel 0-1 each.

Crettyard: Jonah Kelly 1-2, Cormac Murphy 0-2 (1 tp) STRADBALLY: Jack Larkin; Sean Maher, Liam Knowles, Eamonn Delaney; Ben Dillon, James Devoy, Jack Langton; Jack Deegan, Eoin Buggie; Damien Murphy, Conor Buggie, Joe Larkin; David Dineen, Cillian Maher, Fionn McEvoy.

Subs: Jody Dillon, Tom Shiel, Podge Fitzpatrick, Liam Wolfe, Conor McDonald, Adam Hennessy, John Clancy, Derek Beale, Blaine Corcoran, Liam Clancy, Finn Maher, Noah Delaney, Danny Langton.

CRETTYARD: Matt Kelly; James Kelly, Pierce Nash, Evan Dunne; Podge Lawlor, Dara Kelly, Jack Doyle; Alex Whelan, Pa O’Reilly; Cormac Brennan, John Brennan, Kyle O’Reilly; Cormac Murphy, Jonah Kelly, Brian Brennan.

Subs: Adam Kavanagh, Joseph Brennan, Conor Mulhall, Aaron Carroll Referee: Hugh Coghlan