Intermediate Hurling League 2026, Round 1
Kildorrery opened their 2026 Intermediate Hurling League campaign with a spirited but ultimately narrow defeat to Ballyhea’s senior hurlers—yet despite the result, there was no shortage of optimism to take home from Páirc Mhic Dhiarmada on a chilly spring afternoon. Kildorrery opened their 2026 Intermediate Hurling League campaign against the senior hurlers of Ballyhea and, despite a tough first half, delivered a second‑half display full of heart, intensity, and real promise for the season ahead.
First Half – Ballyhea Dominate the Early Exchanges. From the throw-in, Ballyhea used their senior experience to full effect. Their work rate around the middle third and sharpness in front of goal saw them build an early lead. Kildorrery struggled to settle, conceding a couple of soft scores and finding it difficult to secure clean possession against a physically imposing Ballyhea half-back line.
A few wides from Kildorrery didn’t help momentum, and Ballyhea punished mistakes clinically. By the first whistle, the visitors held what looked like a comfortable cushion, leaving Kildorrery with a mountain to climb.
Ballyhea opened the scoring with a point straight from the throw‑in and added another after five minutes as they settled into the game much quicker.
Kieran Hurley finally got Kildorrery off the mark with a well‑taken point, but Ballyhea continued to press, racking up a number of wides before eventually finding the net in the 17th minute.
The goal lifted them, and they hit three points on the trot, pinning Kildorrery back and forcing us to chase their tempo and physicality.
Luke responded with an excellent point from play, but Ballyhea tagged on another before Luke and Peter added two more for Kildorrery.
Half-time score: Ballyhea 1–11, Kildorrery 0–4.
Second Half – A Completely Different Kildorrery. Whatever was said at half-time worked. Kildorrery emerged a transformed side—hungrier, sharper, and far more purposeful in the tackle. The forwards began to move with real energy, creating overlaps and forcing Ballyhea’s backs into fouls. The work rate soared, turnovers increased, and the crowd came to life as we chipped away at the deficit.
A purple patch midway through the half saw Kildorrery hit several unanswered points, bringing Ballyhea’s lead down to the bare minimum. The intensity, physicality, and tempo from Kildorrery had Ballyhea on the back foot for long stretches, and the quality of hurling lifted noticeably.
There were even moments when it looked like the comeback might be completed, but a couple of late scores from Ballyhea—against the run of play—spilled the momentum just enough to see them over the line.
Ballyhea would go on to shoot more wides in the second half, a sign of the increased pressure Kildorrery applied all over the field and Dylan Kent and Will Fouhy were working tirelessly to keep Ballyhea at bay.
From the restart, Peter struck the opening point of the half to spark life into the team. Ballyhea replied with one of their own, but Kildorrery were now hurling with purpose and belief.Luke converted another free, and then came the moment that transformed the complexion of the game:
Peter rattled the net after a brilliantly worked move that started deep in defence. Suddenly Ballyhea were feeling the heat.
Moments later, Dave Kelly clipped over a fine score, followed by another free from Luke, and what looked like a one‑sided contest at half-time had been turned into a genuine battle. The scoreboard looked far more respectable, and Kildorrery were now the side dictating the pace.
Full-Time: Ballyhea Win, but Kildorrery Take the Positives
While the result didn’t fall Kildorrery’s way, the performance in that second half offered real signs of progress. The fight, the pace, the accuracy, and the belief were all there, and on another day the comeback might well have been finished.
Against senior opposition, the response shown after a difficult first half says a lot about the character developing in this group. If Kildorrery can bottle that second-half hunger and reproduce it consistently across the league, we’ll be a serious outfit in 2026.
While Ballyhea held on for the win on a scoreline of a 1 14 to 1 09, Kildorrery’s second‑half performance was everything you’d want from an opening league outing: gritty, energetic, determined, and full of fight.
It was also encouraging to see newcomers stepping in and contributing, adding freshness and competition to the squad. If the team can bottle that second‑half drive and replicate it consistently, there’s every reason to be optimistic for the campaign ahead.
Team Sean Kelly, Will Fouhy,Sean Cunningham,Finbarr stapleton,Dave Kelly,Anthony Cunningham,Dylan Kent,David Kelly,Cian Coughlan,Kieran Hurley,Luke keating,James Mcenity,Peter o brian,Tadgh Murphy, Brian Mullins,Seam O grady ,Shane Fitzgerald.
Poc Fada
The Paddy Hartnett memorial Poc Fada will take place on Saturday the 14th of March at 12pm.
Congratulations
Congratulations to our Juvenile members on winning the Avondhu Final in solo singing & the Léiriú this evening in Shanballymore. Best of luck in the county semi final on March 21st.
Congratulations to Kildorrery players Cara, Claire, and Emma on their selection for the Glanworth U21 Team. Well done on their recent victory over Ibane in Glanworth in the County U21 Championship Quarter Final, with a score of 2-06 (12 points) to 0-10 (10 points). Glanworth will now advance to the Semi Final against Fermoy. The semi-final will be held at Glanworth, with the date and time to be confirmed.
Juveniles Update
We had our first U6 session of the year and our U14 and U16 girls recently returned to training.
The U14s went to Mungret with 2 teams to play them in both Hurling & Football. Great day out and then onto the Gaelic grounds for the Cork v Limerick match. Thanks to the club for arranging the players tickets.
While the Kildorrery U12 Football Team played Kilworth on Wednesday evening in their new Astro facility with some great skill and teamwork on display .Thanks to Kilworth for a very enjoyable match .