Classy Conroy fires 16 points as Slieve Bloom defeat Ballyfin to blow Premier IHC wide open

Ballyfin 0-21 Slieve Bloom 2-18
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group A Round 2

Ben Conroy was Slieve Bloom’s hero as his 16 points enabled them to stun neighbours Ballyfin and blow the Premier IHC wide open.

Slieve Bloom were very disappointing in defeat to Rathdowney-Errill two weeks ago while Ballyfin toppled title favourites Ballinakill on the same day.

But the form book went out the window in Mountrath this afternoon as Slieve Bloom’s win, coupled with Ballinakill’s over Rathdowney-Errill, means all teams are level on two points with one round to go.

Ballyfin had no answer to Conroy who scored eight points from play and also curled over a beautiful sideline cut in a stunning man of the match performance.

This one started off even enough but Ballyfin got on top towards the end of the first quarter as Gareth Dunphy and Eanna Lyons led them to a 0-8 to 0-4 lead.

Brothers Ben and Gavin Conroy brought the margin back to two by the water break and Ben then fired over five successive points to turn the game on its head.

Gareth Dunphy and Eanna Lyons ended Slieve Bloom’s run but the men in orange took a 0-11 to 0-10 lead at half time.

Two more Dunphy frees and another from Lyons restored Ballyfin’s advantage either side of a Conroy free before the games first goal arrived after 36 minutes.

Robbie Burke fired in a low ball to Ciaran Conroy and he wriggled clear before shooting low into the corner of the net.

Darragh Connolly, Gareth Dunphy and Eanna Lyons replied for Ballyfin but two more Ben Conroy scores left Slieve Bloom 1-14 to 0-16 ahead at the second water break.

Two more from Conroy extended Slieve Bloom’s lead but the gap as back to one after 50 minutes as Connolly and Dunphy raised further white flags for Ballyfin.

Ross Holmes and Louis Duff then traded efforts before the game was made safe for Slieve Bloom after 59 minutes.

Robbie Burke turned from provider to scorer this time as he received a pass from Gearoid Lowry and drove the sliotar home.

Gareth Dunphy narrowed the gap to three and seven minutes of injury time followed but Ballyfin couldn’t find the goal they needed to force as draw as Slieve Bloom took home the two points.

SCORERS – Ballyfin: Gareth Dunphy 0-10 (frees), Eanna Lyons 0-6 (one free), Darragh Connolly 0-2, Richie Downey, Louis Duff and Kevin O’Rourke 0-1 each Slieve Bloom: Ben Conroy 0-16 (seven frees, one sideline), Ciaran Conroy and Robbie Burke 1-0 each, Gavin Conroy 0-2 (frees)

BALLYFIN: Eoin Connolly; Ciaran Rowney, Allan Connolly, Conall Rowney; James Finn, Max Connolly, Kevin O’Rourke; Gary Hoffmeister, Darragh Connolly; Cillian Rowney, Eanna Lyons, Shane Conroy; Louis Duff, Gareth Dunphy, Richie Downey. Subs: Tom Bennett for Conroy (52)

SLIEVE BLOOM: Gavin Conroy; Enda Conroy, Sean Nolan, Ben Shore; John Lowry, Tom Delaney, Evan Power; Darragh Delaney, Gearoid Lowry; Dylan Collins, Ross Holmes, Robbie Burke; Ciaran Conroy, Ben Conroy, Taidgh Cuddy.

Referee: Eoin Scully (Camross)

SEE ALSO – Ballinakill get back on track in Premier Intermediate with win over Rathdowney-Errill

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