Whelan fires Ballinkillen to emotionally charged victory
Ciaran Whelan's free taking was a key factor in Ballinkillen's victory over St Mullins.
Ballinkillen kick-started the Carlow Senior Hurling Championship into life on Sunday in McGrath Park when they were good value for their first round victory against the side who have won 29 titles.
While it was very much a team performance, Carlow intercounty player, Ciaran Whelan, scored a massive 1-15 and was a major influence in what was a slightly surprising win.
This game was due to be played on Friday but was pushed back following the sad passing of Colm English, father of Ballinkillen player Eric. There was a minute's silence before the game in honour of Colm and Eric went to pay tribute on the field by scoring four points in this superb win.
James Doyle led the way for St Mullins who were ahead 1-13 to 0-10 at half-time with the centre forward accounting for 1-7 (5fs) of their total Yet he could do nothing in the second half as Ballinkillen, playing with the strong breeze down towards the dressing rooms, completely took over.
Whelan continuously punished St Mullins indiscretions as he converted frees from all angles. Yet St Mullins hung on and were rewarded when Gary Bennett used his strength to stave off a defender to find the Ballinkillen net with time running out. Eddie Doyle tacked on a point to leave the score at 0-26 to 2-16 It was to no avail. Ballinkillen held their heads as Eric English and Whelan raised white and green flags respectively to confirm their victory.
C Whelan 1-15 (65 13fs), E English 0-4, C Lomax, M Dalton 0-2 each, K Kavanagh, C Wall, P Hynes, J Treacy 0-1 each.
J Doyle 1-8 (65 5fs), C Kehoe 0-3, G Bennett 1-0, John Doyle 0-2, O Ryan, E Doyle, J Kavanagh 0-1 each.
Thomas Dowling; Jamie Wall, Dion Wall, Mark Foley; Craig Wall, David English, Eric English; Cormac Lomax, Kevin Kavanagh; Adam Ryan, Ciaran Whelan, Padraig Hynes; Ciaran O’Neill, Marty Dalton, Jack Treacy.Sub: Thomas Sheehan for Ryan (47).
Seamus Murphy; Laurence Brennan, Paudie Kehoe, Ciaran Harris; Andy Ralph, Paul Doyle, Paidi O’Shea; Sean Doyle, Michael Walsh; Conor Kehoe, James Doyle, Eamonn O’Shea; Oisin Ryan, Jack Kavanagh, John Doyle. Subs: Eddie Doyle for Ryan (43)Gary Bennett for Harris (46).
Sean McCormack (Carlow Town).
