Castlemtichell stroll into Junior Championship semi-final
Castlemitchell put 1-17 on the board on their way to convincing win over Ballykelly
Castlemitchell 1-17
Ballykelly 0-8
The opening half of this one was certainly a slow-burner; Castlemitchell hit three wides and Ballykelly one, before the latter opened the scoring, Lee Moore converting a free on nine minutes.
Slowly but surely Castlemitchell got a grip and began to dictate the play.
The man that opened the scoring, and had a big bearing on the proceedings, James Harris from a 45m free got the ball rolling and three more points on the trot from Emmet Hyland, Evan Doogue and Ross Harris had the boys in green leading 0-4 to 0-1 after fourteen minutes.
Castlemitchell looked to have had a goal a few minute later, Ross Harris drove through the middle and was in on goal, off-loaded to full forward Evan Doogue who palmed to the net but he was deemed to be in the square and the score disallowed.
Ross Harris added a free before Padraig Cullen picked up a yellow card; Ross Harris added a free and another from play before Ballykelly got their second on 27 minutes.
Luke Gill converted from play; Lee Moore added a free but before the break Castlemitchell added a point from a James Harris free left his side leading 0-9 to 0-3 at the break.
Two quick points on the resumption from Darragh Byrne and Ciaran Byrne gave Ballykelly a bit of hope but it was short lived as Castlemitchell quickly took control adding three points before the only goal (legitimate) of the game arrived.
Evan Doogue set up Josh Corcoran and the no. 19 made no mistake from close range to leave it 1-12 to 0-5 on 41 minutes.
Two more converted frees from the accurate boot of Ray Kavanagh extended the lead before Ballykelly, through Simon Lutterll raised their third of the second half.
There was, however, no denying Castlemitchell, James Harris, Eoin Coffey and a free from Ray Kavanagh ended the Castlemitchell scoring with Ballykelly replying with a Lee Moore free and a Josh Lawler point to leave it Castlemitchell 1-17 Ballykelly 0-8.
Scorers: Castlemitchell, Ray Kavanagh 0-6 (4 frees), Ross Harris 0-4 (1 free), James Harris 0-3 (45, 2 frees), Evan Doogue 0-2 (mark), Jimmy Corcoran 1-0, Eoin Coffey 0-1, Emmet Hyland 0-1.
Ballykelly, Lee Moore 0-3 (3 frees), Luke Gill 0-1, Ciaran Byrne 0-1, Darragh Byrne 0-1, Josh Lawler 0-1, Simon Lutterll 0-1.
CASTLEMITCHELL: Jack Nolan; Jordan Horgan, Fionn O'Rourke, Mark Kelly; Liam Haughton, James Harris, Jimmy Corcoran; Emmet Hyland, Shane Kavanagh; JP Horgan, Ross Harris, Ray Kavanagh; Paddy Ryan, Evan Doogue, Paidi Kelly. Subs: Jarell Kelly for Emmet Hyland (42 minutes); Oisin Fennin for Paddy Ryan (48 minute); Fionn O'Rourke for Paidi Kelly (48minutes); Paul McDonagh for Ross Harris (54 minutes); Tom Davis for Evan Doogue (58 minutes).
BALLYKELLY: Stephen White; Callum Grattan, Owen Whelan, Darragh Sinnott; Russell Grattan, Ciaran Byrne, Stevan McNally; Mikey Murphy, Jack Smith; Shane Black, Paraigh Cullen, Eddie O'Connell; Luke Gill, Darragh Byrne, Lee Moore. Subs: Mikey Delahunt for Eddie O'Connell (25 minutes); Cillian Fitzgerald for Callum Grattan (half-time); Simon Lutterll for Jack Smith (44 minutes); Josh Lawler for Shane Black (45 minutes); Eoin Sinnott for Luke Gill (48 minutes).
REFEREE: Mark Murphy.