THE LOCAL BAR WESTERN JUNIOR B HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP Ballyduff advance to divisional semi final Ballyduff Upper 3-24 Dungarvan 3-7 A fitter Ballyduff side proved comprehensive winners over Dungarvan in the second round of the Western B junior hurling championship in Ballyduff last Sunday morning. The visitors matched the home side up to half time when they trailed by just 0-2 on a score of 1-10 to 2-5 but the second moiety was a different story with the hosts completely on top in a period that they won by 2-14 to 1-2. Gone are the days when junior hurling teams were on an even par preparation wise with fitness not the major difference but this young Ballyduff side had too much in the tank for their opponents and they can deservingly look forward to a semi final berth along with Abbeyside whom they will play in their final group game this weekend. Dungarvan led by 1-2 to 0-1 after nine minutes thanks to a Conor Duggan goal but Conor Hickey soon had a major score for the home side which left the teams level nearing the end of the first quarter. A brace of Conor Duggan pointed frees had Dungarvan back in front but as the half wore on Ballyduff’s greater fitness kicked in and they scored eight uninterrupted minors per Cathal Casey 0-3f, Cian Leamy, Jack McDonagh, Aidan O Brien, Shane Casey and Tireoghain Flynn to lead by 1-10 to 1-4 nearing half time. A second Dungarvan goal by Liam Ryan and a further pointed free by Conor Duggan gave the blues some hope for the second half, just two points behind. Two Cathal Casey points opened the second half scoring before Liam Ryan and Cian Leamy traded goals which had the reds ahead by 2-12 to 3-5. Dungarvan added only 0-2f via Conor Duggan for the rest of the game while Ballyduff scored at will. Players such as Cathal Casey, Conor Hickey, Tireoghain Flynn, Aidan O Brien, Shane Casey, Cian Leamy and sub Bill Keane all dissected the posts with fine scores. Ballyduff will play Abbeyside this Friday evening in the Burgery grounds with the winners topping the group. Against Dungarvan they received fine displays from such as Peter Kennedy, Michael Kearney, Aidan O Brien, Cian Leamy, Cathal Casey and Conor Hickey. Dungarvan’s best included Conor Sheehan, James O Callaghan, David Flynn, Sean Hyslop, Conor Duggan, Liam Ryan and Brendan Cullinane. Scorers : Ballyduff : Cathal Casey 0-9(6f), Conor Hickey 1-3, Cian Leamy 1-3, Aidan O Brien 0-3, Shane Casey and Tireoghain Flynn 0-2 each, Jack McDonagh and Bill Keane 0-1 each. Dungarvan : Conor Duggan 1-6(6f), Liam Ryan 2-1. Teams : Ballyduff : Conor Sheehan; Jack Barry, Maurice McNamara, Eanna Hyland; Patsy Drislane, Peter Kennedy, Jack McDonagh; Michael Kearney, Aidan O Brien; Shane Casey, Cian Leamy, Thomas McDonagh; Conor Hickey, Cathal Casey, Tireoghain Flynn. Subs : Bill Keane for Jack McDonagh, Tommy Feeney for Conor Hickey. Dungarvan: David Flynn; Rob Havens, Mark Boland, JamesO Callaghan; Sean Hyslop, Kenny Moore, Conor Sheehan; Karl Duggan, Aidan Kirwan; Brendan Cullinan, Rian Crotty, James Kiely; Luke O Callaghan, Liam Ryan, Conor Duggan. Subs : Oisin Morrissey for James O Callaghan, Alex Shanahan for Mark Boland, Mike Ameglio for James Kiely, David Hayes. Referee : Pat Casey (Affane/ Cappoquin).