Jimmy King Memorial Shield 2007

CROTTA 1 – 12, BALLYHEIGUE 1 – 7
The Crotta Minor hurlers captured the Jimmy King memorial trophy on Thursday Evening 19th July, when they defeated a gallant Ballyheigue side, in the North Kerry Minor A Hurling Championship Final played in wet conditions at Austin Stack Park.
The Crotta boys were quick off the mark and led 0 – 5 to 0 – 0 after 15 minutes but Ballyheigue came storming back and actually led by a point at the interval. However a goal and a point shortly after the resumption gave Crotta a lead that they were not to relinquish. Ballyheigue threw everything at the Crotta lads at the end but they held on for a well deserved victory. Their first title at this grade for a number of years
Shane Nolan pointed from a free and from play before his brother Richard fired over one shortly after. Shane pointed from play after good work by Sean Weir before Jonathon Caffrey made in five points without reply. Ronan Kenny got Ballyheigue’s first score in the 16th minute when he pointed a free. He had a similar score soon after and in the 23rd minute the sides were level when Pa O’ Regan punished a Crotta mistake and goaled from close range. Kenny pointed Ballyheigue ahead for the only time in the game two minutes from the break and despite only having about 35 per cent of the play they led 1 – 3 to 0 – 5 at the short whistle.
Crotta’s John O’Connor scored a peach of goal within a minute of the restart and Richard Nolan added a point to increase their lead. Ronan Kenny got one back from a free after five minutes. Richard Nolan and Chris O’Mahony swapped points but Crotta hit three without reply to lead 1 – 10 to 1 – 5 at the end of the third quarter. Kenny fired over from a penalty and Jonathon Caffrey was on target at the other end. Kevin Reidy pointed in the 23rd minute but Keith Hannifin had the final say shortly with a fine point. Ballyheigue tried in vain to get further scores but the Crotta defence held out for a sweet victory on 1-12 to 1-07 at the final whistle.
CROTTA: Aaron Sheehan; Luke Sheehan, Darren Twomey, Paul Linehan; Alan Leen, Paul Costello (Capt), Seán Weir; Richard Nolan (0 – 3), Jonathan Caffrey (0 – 2); David Moloney, Keith Hannifin (0 – 1), Pádraig O’Leary; Shane Nolan (0 -4), Sean Hurley, John O’Connor (1 – 2).
BALLYHEIGUE: Chris James; Seán Casey, Danny Casey, Frank Gentleman; Tommy O’Mahony, Alan Lucid, Mark O’Regan; Kevin Reidy (0 – 1), Chris O’Mahony (0 – 1); Ronan Kenny (0 – 5), Richard O’Mahony Brendan Horgan; Joseph O’Halloran, Seán Colgan, Pa O’Regan (1 – 0).
Subs: John O’Halloran for Joseph O’Halloran; Tadhg Hartnett for John O’Halloran.
REFEREE : Paddy White, Na Gaeil.
After the game the victorious captain, Paul Costello received the beautiful Jimmy King Memorial trophy from The late Jimmy King’s niece Eilish O’Brien.
It is nice that Jimmy’s club, Crotta will be the first name to be inscribed on this new trophy. Congratulations and well done to the lads and to their Mentors Brendan Twomey and Paul Shanahan on this fine victory.
In the game after the minor match, Kilmoyley defeated Causeway in North Kerry B Senior Hurling League Final 2007 on the 2-12 to 2-07 final scoreline

Mike O'Connell and Frankie Lynch with the Jimmy King Memorial Shield at Parker's Pub on Thursday 19th July

Pat Culhane, Eamon Leen and Danny Caffrey with the Jimmy King Memorial Shield at Parker's Pub on Thursday 19th July

James Sheehan, Laurence Costello, and Danny Caffrey with the Jimmy King Memorial Shield at Parker's Pub on Thursday 19th July

Ray Galvin and Mike Lynch with the Jimmy King Memorial Shield at Parker's Pub on Thursday 19th July

Kathleen Costello,Eileen Leinhan, Catherine Caffrey, Sheila Hannafin, Annette Nolan and Ester Leen with the Jimmy King Memorial Shield at Parker's Pub on Thursday 19th July