Tony Kelly’s Ballyea club-mate Tony Griffin has hailed the role Kelly’s father Donal has had in his hurling career. Kelly danced onto the national conscience in 2013, having inspired Clare to an All-Ireland title at the age of just 18. Kelly’s dazzling displays earned him an All-Star as well as the young hurler and hurler […]

2 years ago

From a purple Toyota Corolla to here. Ballyea have come a long way in eight years. Paul Flanagan can’t help but smile when reminded that, growing up, even as a grown-up, it used to be very different. To be fair, Ballyea did make a Clare senior hurling final, their first ever, in 2003, but that […]

3 years ago

Tony Kelly’s down but he’s not out. Saturday was an absolute sickener but, what else can you do, he’s back in with Ballyea and it won’t be long before he’s back doing what he loves. You have to get back on the horse at some stage. It’s put to him as he collects his player […]

4 years ago

After a long winter, Tony Kelly is looking ahead to a boundless summer. He’s done the time, 17 weeks into an ankle rehabilitation programme and now, for the Ballyea man, it feels like things are coming around again. He injured that ankle during the 2020 championship – a championship that wouldn’t have been the same […]

4 years ago

It’s a real eye-opener that, due to a history of hamstring trouble, Niall Deasy is unable to do the required training to be a Clare senior hurler and that’s why, as of last year, he’s dropped himself off the panel. He scores all around him for Ballyea, he catches puck-outs, wins possession and dominates club-games […]

4 years ago

Clare 0-17 Laois 0-9 The Tony Kelly show. If he scores one early, the possibilities are endless. The confidence is sky high and the game is all his. Heading down to Cusack Park on Sunday morning, the supporters were doubtful, with the west of Ireland weather at its wild and disobedient worst. Many wondered how […]

6 years ago