Goals win games it is often said and this was the case in this derby game played in Carnaross on Sunday afternoon.
While Ballinlough scored two majors, one in each half, Cortown missed from a penalty, when Gary Coyne's shot struck the post and had two goal chances cleared off the line by backs when the Ballinlough goalie was beaten. The game was a tough but very sporting Championship encounter which provided good entertainment for the good attendance. The teams were on level terms 5 times during the game and 3 points was the biggest difference which made for great excitement.
Cortown opened the scoring and were two points up when a series of bad mistakes presented Ballinlough with a goal chance on four minutes which they duly took.
Ballinlough introduced Peader Byrne at the start of the second half and the county man had an immediate effect kicking a fine point.
When Cortown went in front again in the second half, a goal in the 15th minute put the Reds back in front. It was nip and tuck after that and with Ballinlough three points up Cortown were handed the lifeline of a penalty with seven minutes remaining.
Gary Coyne's well struck shot struck the inside of the post and rebounded out to one side and the defence cleared. Try as they did, Cortown could not get the all important goal and Ballinlough held on for a valuable win.
Best for Cortown were D. Clarke, J. Casserly, R. Flanagan, G. Loughran, J. Fagan and G. Coyne.
Ballinlough had good performances from Joey Byrne, Ken Rothwell, Robbie Farrell and Tommy McCullen.
Ballinlough: K Mc Guinness, R McGuinness, P Muldoon, R Farrell, T McCullen, J Byrne, B Smith, S Fagan, L. Maguire (0-2), S Byrne, Colm Mallon (0-1), K Devine, D Muldoon(1-1), K Rothwell (0-4), C Mallon(1-0). Subs: P Byrne (0-2)
Cortown - John McFadden; Ivor O'Halloran, Daragh O'Halloran, Declan Clarke; John Casserly, John McGearty, David Coyne; Glen Loughran (0-5), Richie Flanagan; Stephen Fitzmaurice, John Fagan (0-1) Colm Kerrigan; Gary Coyne (0-8) Brian Casserly, Breen Smith. Subs - Thomas Smith for S. Fitzmaurice.