Match Report A'League Drumbaragh v Ballinlough 24 Feb 2019
Jonnie Reilly was accurate from both freekicks and play in Sundays close encounter with Drumbaragh
After an unexpected delay where the referee failed to show up on time, a knock on effect of the game being moved to an earlier time perhaps and no notification to the referee, Tom Lorton eventually made his way to Drumbaragh on short notice and the match between Ballinlough and Drumbaragh finally got underway 30 minutes after schedule.
With the late start, both sides started fairly sluggish with only two points apiece being traded in the first 15 minutes before Drumbaragh got the first significant score of the game when they rattled the back of the Ballinlough net with a well taken goal. This was followed up with a pointed free before Jonnie Reilly got Ballinlough scoring again with two well taken scores, one from a free and one from play. Further points were traded from frees with Niall Farrelly accurate twice in as many minutes, from a free and then a wonderfully well worked score from play. Drumbaragh hit back with two points, one of which was a superb effort from about 45 metres out to leave them 5 to the good at half time on a scoreline of 1-08 to 06 points.
Having it all to do in the second half, Stephen Baxter may have had a few choice words for his charges in the dressing room at half time and they came out in the second half a different team. Tommy McCullen kicked off proceedings with a mighty effort from play before Niall Farrelly added another free to his tally and then another great score from play. That was to be his last score unfortunately as he had to go off injured and was replaced by Conor Briody. Drumbaragh got their first point of the second half from a free, although there was confusion amongst the umpires if the ball had actually gone between the posts,but the referee marked it down as a score. The lack of a scoreboard didn’t help ease the confusion on the scoreline for the supporters.
Ballinlough seized the initiative in the 43rd minute when Jonnie Reilly scored his 3rd point and Tommy McCullen added another before some quick thinking by Simon Deevey with a free going short and feeding the ball into SuperSub Conor Briody who finished to the net to put the ‘Lough in the driving seat.
Drumbaragh got a point from play before Mark McCullen got himself on the scoresheet with a fine effort. Heading into the 54th minute both sides were guilty of conceding silly frees and Lorcan Maguire put two frees over the bar to match the efforts of the Drumbaragh kicker.
Two points up with time on the clock over, Ballinlough had a chance to put the game to bed in the 63rd minute when some savage work by Jonnie Reilly found the ‘Lough with men over in the Drumbaragh box but Conor Briody just couldn’t get the ball to position itself into the net!! Perhaps a simple point would have been a better option but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Maybe to make up for being late, the referee inexplicably played almost six added minutes and it was in the 66th minute that Drumbaragh got the decisive score, a goal that was to be the winning of the match. After working tirelessly to get themselves back into the game Ballinlough will feel they left this one behind them, whilst Drumbaragh can count themselves lucky thanks to some dubious referee decisions.
Full time score Drumbaragh 2-12, Ballinlough 1-14.
Ballinlough Team: D.Muldoon, R.Farrell, P.Muldoon,M.Farrell, N.McDonnell,L.Maguire, J.Reilly,M.Geraghty,T.McCullen,B.Smith, M.McCullen,P.Briody, D.Cafferry, S.Deevy, N.Farrelly
Subs: C.Briody for N.Farrelly (51mins)
Ballinlough Scorers: N.Farrelly 5 (3f), J.Reilly 3(1f) L.Maguire 2(2f) C.Briody 1goal, T.McCullen 2pts M.Geraghty, M.McCullen 1 each
With the late start, both sides started fairly sluggish with only two points apiece being traded in the first 15 minutes before Drumbaragh got the first significant score of the game when they rattled the back of the Ballinlough net with a well taken goal. This was followed up with a pointed free before Jonnie Reilly got Ballinlough scoring again with two well taken scores, one from a free and one from play. Further points were traded from frees with Niall Farrelly accurate twice in as many minutes, from a free and then a wonderfully well worked score from play. Drumbaragh hit back with two points, one of which was a superb effort from about 45 metres out to leave them 5 to the good at half time on a scoreline of 1-08 to 06 points.
Having it all to do in the second half, Stephen Baxter may have had a few choice words for his charges in the dressing room at half time and they came out in the second half a different team. Tommy McCullen kicked off proceedings with a mighty effort from play before Niall Farrelly added another free to his tally and then another great score from play. That was to be his last score unfortunately as he had to go off injured and was replaced by Conor Briody. Drumbaragh got their first point of the second half from a free, although there was confusion amongst the umpires if the ball had actually gone between the posts,but the referee marked it down as a score. The lack of a scoreboard didn’t help ease the confusion on the scoreline for the supporters.
Ballinlough seized the initiative in the 43rd minute when Jonnie Reilly scored his 3rd point and Tommy McCullen added another before some quick thinking by Simon Deevey with a free going short and feeding the ball into SuperSub Conor Briody who finished to the net to put the ‘Lough in the driving seat.
Drumbaragh got a point from play before Mark McCullen got himself on the scoresheet with a fine effort. Heading into the 54th minute both sides were guilty of conceding silly frees and Lorcan Maguire put two frees over the bar to match the efforts of the Drumbaragh kicker.
Two points up with time on the clock over, Ballinlough had a chance to put the game to bed in the 63rd minute when some savage work by Jonnie Reilly found the ‘Lough with men over in the Drumbaragh box but Conor Briody just couldn’t get the ball to position itself into the net!! Perhaps a simple point would have been a better option but hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Maybe to make up for being late, the referee inexplicably played almost six added minutes and it was in the 66th minute that Drumbaragh got the decisive score, a goal that was to be the winning of the match. After working tirelessly to get themselves back into the game Ballinlough will feel they left this one behind them, whilst Drumbaragh can count themselves lucky thanks to some dubious referee decisions.
Full time score Drumbaragh 2-12, Ballinlough 1-14.
Ballinlough Team: D.Muldoon, R.Farrell, P.Muldoon,M.Farrell, N.McDonnell,L.Maguire, J.Reilly,M.Geraghty,T.McCullen,B.Smith, M.McCullen,P.Briody, D.Cafferry, S.Deevy, N.Farrelly
Subs: C.Briody for N.Farrelly (51mins)
Ballinlough Scorers: N.Farrelly 5 (3f), J.Reilly 3(1f) L.Maguire 2(2f) C.Briody 1goal, T.McCullen 2pts M.Geraghty, M.McCullen 1 each
Match Report B'League Rd.1 Ballinlough v Walterstown 21 Feb 19
Joshua Lynch scored 3 Points for Ballinlough in a disappointing B'League Opener on Thursday evening.
Walterstown made the trip to a very breezy Ballinlough and it was the Men in Black who came out of the starting blocks the sharpest. A goal and a point on the board before Ballinlough even got a touch of the ball paved the way for what was a comprehensive win for Walterstown. In fact they hit 1-08 without reply in the first 20 minutes before Joshua Lynch opened Ballinlough’s scoring account, which ended up being short lived as Walterstown worked the ball well down the field and finished firmly to the Ballinlough net. James O’Higgins hit back with a point from a free, taking a large touch of the Walterstown keeper, but it was Walterstown who finished the scoring for the half with an excellent point from play, one of many, in the first half. Scoreline at half time 2-11 to 0-02 points.Ballinlough started brighter in the second half scoring 2 quick points, one of which, again assisted over the bar by the Walterstown netminder. The next ten minutes were dominated by Walterstown who hit 1-02 without reply, but Ballinlough were left to rue some wayward shooting in this period. Although, a combination of good defending and the stiff breeze meant this was to be the last scoring for Walterstown. Ballinlough kept attacking the Walterstown rearguard and were rewarded when Eoghan McCabe scored a fine effort before substitutes Mattie Farrell and Veteran Kevin Devine also found the sticks. Unfortunately it was too little, too late on what was a dismal night for the ‘Lough. Final score Walterstown 3-13 to Ballinlough’s 0-07points. The cobwebs have now being shook off and the lads will regroup and go again the next day.
Scorers: J.Lynch (3) points, E.McCabe, J.O’Higgins, M.Farrell, K.Devine (1)point each
Ballinlough Team:
L.Gibney, N.McDonnell,J.O’Keefe,C.Cunning, J.Reilly,E.Smith,J.O’Higgins,F.Gibney,J.Baugh, R.Ryan,J.Lynch,E.McCabe,D.Caffrey,C.Briody, D.Farrelly
Subs: K.Devine for C.Briody (H/T), M.Farrell for N.McDonnell(40mins)
Scorers: J.Lynch (3) points, E.McCabe, J.O’Higgins, M.Farrell, K.Devine (1)point each
Ballinlough Team:
L.Gibney, N.McDonnell,J.O’Keefe,C.Cunning, J.Reilly,E.Smith,J.O’Higgins,F.Gibney,J.Baugh, R.Ryan,J.Lynch,E.McCabe,D.Caffrey,C.Briody, D.Farrelly
Subs: K.Devine for C.Briody (H/T), M.Farrell for N.McDonnell(40mins)
Match Report A'League Rd.3 Ballinlough v Moynalty 10th Feb 19
Niall Farrelly returned to the Ballinlough line up and helped himself to 1-05 of Ballinlough's overall score v Moynalty in Ballinlough on Sunday morning.
Fresh from promotion to Division 3 last year and already with 2 wins from 2 games in 2019, Moynalty came to Ballinlough looking to make it three in a row. This was the first meeting of these two teams in a first team competitive game since 1986 and both sides were eager to take the spoils today.
Moynalty came out of the blocks quickest creating a goal chance with the first play of the game, only to be denied by the reflexes of Dereck Muldoon in the Ballinlough net. They did however open the scoring with a pointed free on 04mins. This action seemed to spur on the home side who kicked into action sending over the next 5 points without reply, with Niall Farrelly sticking two frees and Paddy Briody, Benji Smith and Joshua Lynch all scoring from play. Struggling against the stiff breeze it took Moynalty until the 19th minute to add their second point, again from a placed ball, and 22 minutes to score their first from open play to get themselves back in the game.
They went on to take the lead a moment later when the ball found its way into the Ballinlough net to give the visitors a much needed boost. It was only to last for a minute however, as Ballinlough reacted superbly to the concession of the goal by producing some of their finest football and great work by Benji Smith working the ball up the field leaving Niall Farrelly with the simple task of palming the ball to the net to give the hosts the lead once again. Farrelly was on target again just before halftime with a pointed free to leave the home side three ahead at the break on a scoreline of 1-06 to 1-03.
Ballinlough opened the scoring in the second half with a point from play from the boot of Joshua Lynch before Niall Farrelly missed a free from a difficult angle against the breeze. Again Moynalty came looking for a goal to get themselves back into the game and again they produced the goods to lower the deficit to one point with 35 minutes gone on the clock. Further points were traded both from frees before Jonnie Reilly got himself forward and sent the ball over the bar on 41 minutes and again two minutes later to push Ballinlough’s lead back out to three points.
Moynalty hit back with a contentious point, with the referee over-ruling his own umpire to award the score, and another point from a free on the 46th minute mark to leave just one between the teams again. What followed was a period where Ballinlough retained possession well, cautious not to cough up any easy ball to the Moynalty attack, whilst also making ground up the field. It paid off too when a lapse in concentration in defence led to a free in for the hosts and Niall Farrelly put two points between the sides once again in the 55th minute.
This was to be the last score of the game and despite referee Martin Dawson playing over 4 and a half minutes of added time,Moynalty couldn’t get that third goal that would have left them unbeaten in the League.
Instead it was Ballinlough’s day and with 5 points from a possible 6, Stephen Baxter’s men are currently sitting comfortably in third place in the League standings. Next up for Ballinlough is an away game in two weeks time with neighbours Drumbaragh providing the opposition.
Ballinlough: D.Muldoon, N.McDonnell, P.Muldoon, M.Farrell, R.Farrell, E.Smith, Jonnie Reilly, L.Maguire, M.McCullen, P.Briody, M.Geraghty, B.Smith, J.Lynch, N.Farrelly,Junior Reilly
Subs: T.McCullen for Junior Reilly on 37mins
Scorers: N.Farrelly 1-05(5 frees), Jonnie Reilly, J.Lynch 02 each, P.Briody, B.Smith 01 each
Moynalty came out of the blocks quickest creating a goal chance with the first play of the game, only to be denied by the reflexes of Dereck Muldoon in the Ballinlough net. They did however open the scoring with a pointed free on 04mins. This action seemed to spur on the home side who kicked into action sending over the next 5 points without reply, with Niall Farrelly sticking two frees and Paddy Briody, Benji Smith and Joshua Lynch all scoring from play. Struggling against the stiff breeze it took Moynalty until the 19th minute to add their second point, again from a placed ball, and 22 minutes to score their first from open play to get themselves back in the game.
They went on to take the lead a moment later when the ball found its way into the Ballinlough net to give the visitors a much needed boost. It was only to last for a minute however, as Ballinlough reacted superbly to the concession of the goal by producing some of their finest football and great work by Benji Smith working the ball up the field leaving Niall Farrelly with the simple task of palming the ball to the net to give the hosts the lead once again. Farrelly was on target again just before halftime with a pointed free to leave the home side three ahead at the break on a scoreline of 1-06 to 1-03.
Ballinlough opened the scoring in the second half with a point from play from the boot of Joshua Lynch before Niall Farrelly missed a free from a difficult angle against the breeze. Again Moynalty came looking for a goal to get themselves back into the game and again they produced the goods to lower the deficit to one point with 35 minutes gone on the clock. Further points were traded both from frees before Jonnie Reilly got himself forward and sent the ball over the bar on 41 minutes and again two minutes later to push Ballinlough’s lead back out to three points.
Moynalty hit back with a contentious point, with the referee over-ruling his own umpire to award the score, and another point from a free on the 46th minute mark to leave just one between the teams again. What followed was a period where Ballinlough retained possession well, cautious not to cough up any easy ball to the Moynalty attack, whilst also making ground up the field. It paid off too when a lapse in concentration in defence led to a free in for the hosts and Niall Farrelly put two points between the sides once again in the 55th minute.
This was to be the last score of the game and despite referee Martin Dawson playing over 4 and a half minutes of added time,Moynalty couldn’t get that third goal that would have left them unbeaten in the League.
Instead it was Ballinlough’s day and with 5 points from a possible 6, Stephen Baxter’s men are currently sitting comfortably in third place in the League standings. Next up for Ballinlough is an away game in two weeks time with neighbours Drumbaragh providing the opposition.
Ballinlough: D.Muldoon, N.McDonnell, P.Muldoon, M.Farrell, R.Farrell, E.Smith, Jonnie Reilly, L.Maguire, M.McCullen, P.Briody, M.Geraghty, B.Smith, J.Lynch, N.Farrelly,Junior Reilly
Subs: T.McCullen for Junior Reilly on 37mins
Scorers: N.Farrelly 1-05(5 frees), Jonnie Reilly, J.Lynch 02 each, P.Briody, B.Smith 01 each
Match Report A'League Rd.2 Longwood v Ballinlough 01st Feb 19
Lorcan Maguire helped himself to an impressive 7 points v Longwood.
Ballinlough made the arduous journey to South Meath to take on the might of Longwood in Round 2 of the Division 3 A’League this evening in baltic weather conditions. On a night where the mercury hit -1, the temptation to skip this game, sit by the fire in Stoney Burke’s and watch the opening of the 6 Nations was strong and judging by the lacklustre crowd in attendance I’d say more than a few took up that offer... although the Ballinlough Faithful were pitchside alright!
As for the game, both sides traded early points both from frees with Ballinlough the more eager early on constructing a good goal chance that manifested into nothing but showed the intent the visitors had for this game. Lorcan Maguire added a second point from a placed ball before adding a third well worked score from play on 15 minutes. Simon Deevey, fresh from his rugby exploits (and no doubt wanting to get back to the warmth and watch Wales take on France!) added a fourth point for the visitors to stretch their lead to 3 points.
Longwood, however, were cleaning up in midfield and it was from a well caught “Mark” in the centre of the field on 18minutes, that they launched their next attack which resulted in the ball landing in the Ballinlough net. They then added a point from play and another from the boot of Ryan Moore who was deadly accurate on free taking duty, similar to his exploits in the Intermediate Final of 2018. Ballinlough finished the half the stronger though with Maguire again scoring from a free, before the Briody Brothers both found the sticks, firstly Paddy on 27minutes, and not to be outdone by his little brother, Conor also saw a fine effort sail over the bar a minute later leaving Ballinlough with a one point lead at half time.
The second half started much like the first with both sides trading early scores from frees. Ballinlough then worked the ball superbly down the field and great team-work ending with a well taken score from Mark McCullen on 38minutes. Longwood produced a fine effort of their own a minute later from play leaving just two points between the teams.
Then came the game changer with Ballinlough Captain Johnnie Reilly, doing what he does best, coming bursting forward from the half back line, working the ball up the field, to ultimately end the move with a cool finish to the Longwood net on 41 minutes. Longwood refused to give in and got the next point from play, before Lorcan Maguire added another free to his haul of scores.
There then followed a period of about ten minutes with both sides very wasteful when in possession, before Johnnie Reilly once again got forward and scored a great point from out on the wing on 57 minutes. Paddy Briody added a second point to his tally a moment later leaving 7 points between the sides. Longwood rattled off two late scores, one from play and one from a free to lower the deficit, but it was Ballinlough who got the final score with Robbie Farrell getting forward and repeating his trick from last year against the same opposition, slotting over the bar to leave Ballinlough comfortable winners on a score line of 1-14 to 1-08.
Next up is a home game against Moynalty next Sunday at 11AM in Ballinlough.
Scorers: L.Maguire 7 (6f),J.Reilly 1-1, P.Briody 2, S.Deevey, C.Briody, M.McCullen, and R.Farrell 1 each
Subs: J.Baugh for Junior Reilly 47mins, F.Gibney for N.McDonnell 55mins, D.Farrelly for Simon Deevey 59mins
Ballinlough Team: D.Muldoon, N.McDonnell, P.Muldoon,M.Farrell,R.Farrell,E.Smith,Johnny Reilly, L.Maguire,M.McCullen,D.Caffrey, B.Smith, P.Briody, C.Briody, S.Deevey, Junior Reilly
Match Report A'League Rd.1 Ballinlough v Blackhall Gaels 27th Jan 19
Niall Farrelly was on free kicking duty v Blackhall Gaels last Sunday in Ballinlough
Ballinlough started their 2019 Division 3 League campaign with a draw v Blackhall Gaels in bright but bitter cold conditions in Ballinlough this morning.
Blackhall took an early lead after three minutes and had the benefit of the strong breeze for the first half adding a second point from a free with the wind playing havoc with Ballinlough’s kick out and putting them under pressure in the early stages of the game.
Niall Farrelly got Ballinlough off the mark with a 09th minute free but Blackhall replied with a point of their own also from a free. Lorcan Maguire kept Ballinlough in it with a well taken score before Blackhall Gaels edged out in front once again with two consecutive frees.
Further points were traded with Mark McCullen finding the sticks for Ballinlough on 28minutes before Blackhall Gaels finished the half with a point and taking a 0-06 to 0-03 point lead in at the break.
Ballinlough started the second half the brighter of the two teams, with Niall Farrelly scoring a free on 37 minutes before Michael Geraghty scored an absolute peach of a point on the 45 minute mark.
Ballinlough manager Stephen Baxter felt a few changes were needed and brought on youngster Darragh Cafferry and experienced hand Conor Briody in place of Junior Reilly and Paddy Briody. It was to be an inspired decision as Caffery finished to the net just two minutes after coming on the field to put Ballinlough in the lead for the first time.
Blackhall Gaels regained their composure and got themselves back in the game with a free kick and a well taken score from play to leave the sides level on 55 minutes played. Ballinlough had plenty of chances to find a winner but went wide of the posts on a number of occasions,before then having a glorious opportunity to put the game to bed with a goal chance but Joshua Lynch’s effort in the 60th minute was well saved by the Blackhall Gaels netminder.
Three added minutes followed but neither team could make the breakthrough and referee Martin Dawson blew up to end the game on a draw. Final score Ballinlough 1-05 Blackhall Gaels 0-08points.
Ballinlough Scorers: Niall Farrelly 2(2f)
Lorcan Maguire, Mark McCullen, Michael Geraghty 01 each, Darragh Caffery 1-0
Subs: C.Briody for J.Reilly and D.Caffery for P.Briody both on 44mins
Ballinlough team: D.Muldoon, N.McDonnell, P.Muldoon, M.Farrell, R.Farrell, E.Smith, Johnnie Reilly, L.Maguire, M.Geraghty, M.McCullen, Junior Reilly, P.Briody, B.Smith, N.Farrelly, J.Lynch