Flaherty frees save Lixnaw
COUNTY SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP, ROUND 2: REPLAY Lixnaw 2-9 Ballyheigue 2-7 TWO late frees for Lixnaw sharpshooter James Flaherty was enough to see his side edge out Ballyheigue in a disappointing county senior hurling championship second round replay. This game also saw Kerry star Paul Galvin play his first hurling game since the 2007 county final (which Lixnaw won), and it was only after Galvin's introduction in the 37th minute that Lixnaw seemed to spring to life.
Ballyheigue held a slender advantage, 2-5 to 1-6 at the interval. Then for whatever reason, Ballyheigue never came out for the second half, save for the opening five minutes and yet they were level with just three minutes left in the game.
This was because Lixnaw just could not convert hard won possession into scores with both James Flaherty and Mike Conway missing a number of frees. It was at this stage that Lixnaw sprung Paul Galvin from the bench and his impact was immediate as he helped break Ballyheigue's stranglehold at midfield, and in the 42nd minute Mike Conway levelled the contest when he finished a Paudie Lyons centre to the net.
With the tie looking destined for extra time again, Paul Galvin gained possession wide right in the 57th minute, but was fouled and James Flaherty shot over the lead point which became two in injury when the same player punished another Ballyheigue foul on John Griffin.
LIXNAW: Martin Stackpoole, Brendan Brosnan, Tom Brosnan, Maurice Corridan, Paudie Lyons, Trevor McKenna, Pat Hogan, Fergus Fitzmaurice, John Griffin, Steven Power, Enda Galvin, Rob Thornton, Cillian Fitzmaurice (0-2), James Flaherty (0-5f), Micheal Conway (2-2). Subs: Raymond Galvin for P Hogan, Paul Galvin for S Power, Padraig Fitzmaurice for E Galvin, Robert Wallace for R Thornton
BALLYHEIGUE: John M Pierce, Colin O'Mahony, Michael Lucid, Noel Gilbride, Mark Regan, Jason Casey, Chris Mahony, Diarmuid Walsh (0-2), Ronan Kenny, Mark Dineen (0-1), Jerry Crean (1-0), Sean Colgan, Mike Slattery (1-4, 03f), Damien Casey, Shane Dunne. Subs: Kevin O'Sullivan for S Colgan, Ned Flahive for M Dineen
REFEREE: Conor Lane (Banteer)
