B-League: Long awaited success for Ballinlough (28/10/17)
Ballinlough recorded a three point win over Curraha to claim the B Football League Division 4 title in heavy underfoot conditions at Carlanstown on Saturday afternoon.
Ballinlough..................3-10
Curraha.......................2-10
Having suffered numerous disappointments in Junior D and B-League finals in recent seasons this was a sweet success for a gutsy Ballinlough side. Considering that the club hadn't been involved in a competitive fixture in four weeks the odds were stacked against Ballinlough who faced a daunting task against a Curraha side that contained eight players who featured in the previous weekends intermediate final.
The North Meath outfit paved the way for victory with three first half goals against the wind.
Ballinlough were first on the scoreboard with a pointed free from James O'Higgins but Curraha soon began to find their rhythm and hit back with 1-2; with points from Sean Keogh, Evan McGovern and a Gavin Coyle goal.
Ballinlough were back on level terms soon after with 1-1 from the influential O'Higgins, his goal coming from the penalty spot after a foul on Kevin Devine. Curraha responded in style to that set back; points from Coyle, McGovern and Keogh was complimented with Coyle's second goal and Curraha appeared to be coasting; 2-6 to 1-2.
Ballinlough refused to give in and after another O'Higgins point were reward with two fortunate goals from Jack Tunney and Mark McCullen. Brian Donohoes charges finished the half with points from Devine and Conor Briody to go in at the break leading; 3-5 to 2-6.
The heavy underfoot conditions started to take its toll on the players in the second half. Sean Keogh and McCullen traded points before Curraha were reduced to 14 men with the sending off of Conleth McLarnon.
Keogh narrowed the lead to a point before Ballinlough keeper Ken Rothwell denied David Coyle a certain goal. This inspired his team mates who tagged on three unanswered points through Jonathan Montgomery, O'Higgins and Devine to open up a four point gap. Keogh and John Mangan narrowed the gap but the goal Curraha sought never came and Ballinlough held on for a deserved victory.
After the game County Board Vice Chairman Peter O'Halloran presented the cup to Ballinlough captain James O'Keeffe.
Ballinlough: Ken Rothwell, Paddy Briody, James O'Keeffe, Matty Farrell, James Baugh, Emmet Smith, Conor Fleming, Gary Reilly, Mark McCullen (1-1), Jack Tunney (1-0), Junior Reilly, Conor Briody (0-1), Niall Farrelly, Kevin Devine (0-2), James O'Higgins (1-5). Subs: Paul Monaghan, Jonathan Montgomery (0-1), Adam Fox, Eoghan McCabe.
Curraha: Luke McCarthy, Mark Phelan, Conor Joyce, PJ McMahon, Conleth McLarnon, Conor McCann, Robert Reid, Brian Joyce, Lockie Keogh, Gavin Coyle (2-1), Evan McGovern (0-2), Sean Keogh (0-6), David Coyle, Ian Battersby, Phelim Dowling. Subs: Mark Jackson, Kieran O'Hanrahan, John Mangan (0-1)
Referee Liam Reddy
Ballinlough..................3-10
Curraha.......................2-10
Having suffered numerous disappointments in Junior D and B-League finals in recent seasons this was a sweet success for a gutsy Ballinlough side. Considering that the club hadn't been involved in a competitive fixture in four weeks the odds were stacked against Ballinlough who faced a daunting task against a Curraha side that contained eight players who featured in the previous weekends intermediate final.
The North Meath outfit paved the way for victory with three first half goals against the wind.
Ballinlough were first on the scoreboard with a pointed free from James O'Higgins but Curraha soon began to find their rhythm and hit back with 1-2; with points from Sean Keogh, Evan McGovern and a Gavin Coyle goal.
Ballinlough were back on level terms soon after with 1-1 from the influential O'Higgins, his goal coming from the penalty spot after a foul on Kevin Devine. Curraha responded in style to that set back; points from Coyle, McGovern and Keogh was complimented with Coyle's second goal and Curraha appeared to be coasting; 2-6 to 1-2.
Ballinlough refused to give in and after another O'Higgins point were reward with two fortunate goals from Jack Tunney and Mark McCullen. Brian Donohoes charges finished the half with points from Devine and Conor Briody to go in at the break leading; 3-5 to 2-6.
The heavy underfoot conditions started to take its toll on the players in the second half. Sean Keogh and McCullen traded points before Curraha were reduced to 14 men with the sending off of Conleth McLarnon.
Keogh narrowed the lead to a point before Ballinlough keeper Ken Rothwell denied David Coyle a certain goal. This inspired his team mates who tagged on three unanswered points through Jonathan Montgomery, O'Higgins and Devine to open up a four point gap. Keogh and John Mangan narrowed the gap but the goal Curraha sought never came and Ballinlough held on for a deserved victory.
After the game County Board Vice Chairman Peter O'Halloran presented the cup to Ballinlough captain James O'Keeffe.
Ballinlough: Ken Rothwell, Paddy Briody, James O'Keeffe, Matty Farrell, James Baugh, Emmet Smith, Conor Fleming, Gary Reilly, Mark McCullen (1-1), Jack Tunney (1-0), Junior Reilly, Conor Briody (0-1), Niall Farrelly, Kevin Devine (0-2), James O'Higgins (1-5). Subs: Paul Monaghan, Jonathan Montgomery (0-1), Adam Fox, Eoghan McCabe.
Curraha: Luke McCarthy, Mark Phelan, Conor Joyce, PJ McMahon, Conleth McLarnon, Conor McCann, Robert Reid, Brian Joyce, Lockie Keogh, Gavin Coyle (2-1), Evan McGovern (0-2), Sean Keogh (0-6), David Coyle, Ian Battersby, Phelim Dowling. Subs: Mark Jackson, Kieran O'Hanrahan, John Mangan (0-1)
Referee Liam Reddy
