INJURIES have hit the Ballyvarley senior hurlers hard in recent weeks yet the Reds turned in a hard fought performance against visitors Ballycran last Tuesday.

The game was in the balance right up to the later stages of the second half, with two killer goals beating the home team after a spirited display.

Early on in the contest Ballycran were making impressive diagonal runs. The pace of their corner forwards was causing problems for the Ballyvarley men. This was shown to good effect in the fourth minute when a low ball into space saw Ballycran's forwards sprint in for an early goal.

The visitors added two more points as the movement of their forwards opened up space and scoring chances. The Reds faced an uphill battle yet slowing they came more into the game with Sean Kennedy and Paul O'Neill impressing for the home team.

More possession meant more chances for Ballyvarley as they provided their forwards with ball. However there was a lack of sharpness in the Reds play and their first touch was letting them down.

The ball was just not falling for the Reds upfront but their industry was rewarded with three points as a long Paul O'Neill free dropped into the net. The deficit was down to two but only for a moment as the Ardsmen instantly replied with a quick point.

For the rest of the half the Reds had the lions share of the play as the tightened up at the back with Niall Higgins, Thomas Lennon and David Lavery prominent. The home sides dominance was rewarded when the ball was 21 yards out from the Ballycran goal.

Jamie Murray latched onto it with a great wristy ground stroke that lifted the net six minutes before the end of the half. That drew the game and lifted the Reds. Ballyvarley went on to have chances to take the lead but the Reds could not punish the Ardsmen.

Ballycran tagged on a couple of points before the break to leave just two points between the sides.

Ballyvarley began the second period as they began the first and their lethargy was punished by 1-1 within six minutes. This woke the home side up as Ballyvarley took a hold of the game.

Thomas Lennon's pace at the break saw him sweep up a lot of ball and some hard hitting tackling from David Lavery saw little room for the Ards forwards to operate.

Sean Kennedy drew a point back after a long solo run and Paul O'Neill added another from a pointed free. With the visitors retaliating with two points of their own Ballyvarley needed a lift. It duly arrived when O'Neill sent a 21 yard free past the flailing keeper to the roof of the net.

A trademark long range point from David McGovern soon after left only two points in the contest as Ballyvarley pushed for the scores to tie or even win the game.

However 10 minutes from end Ballycran struck the killer blows.

A ball to the edge of the home box was met first time with a ground swing that went like a bullet to the net. It was a cracking individual score.