All Even between Ballinlough and Dunderry (13/6/13)
Ballinlough staged a late comeback to share the spoils in this Junior D championship match played in warm conditions on Thursday evening in Athboy.
Ballinlough..............1-09
Dunderry................1-09
Ballinlough were without many regulars including: Derek Muldoon, Jonnie Reilly, Jonathon O' Reilly, Paul Farrelly, Jack Tunney, Brian Brady and Brian Mallen, but they still managed to get a draw and if they can win their two remaining matches against Clonard and Donaghmore/Ashbourne they are likely to make the knock-out stages.
Ballinlough started the game the brightest with Tom Shine kicking the first point with five minutes on the clock, after good work by Ken Rothwell. The ‘Lough dominated the next twenty minutes, but struggled to turn chances into scores, kicking a succession of wides. They only managed to add a further three points to their tally before the change of ends, thanks to Shine and Rothwell.
Dunderry were beginning to look dangerous on the break, with Eric Murray particularly impressive in attack. The ‘Lough were dealt a major blow when centre back, Shane Smith, had to be taken off injured midway through the half. But despite their increased opportunities, Dunderry only managed to convert a single score before the change in ends.
Ballinlough went into the half time break leading 0-04 to 0-01. However, they had to substitute their highly influential midfielder, Michael Reilly, during the halftime break due to a hamstring injury.
Dunderry showed real resolve after the interval, and began to dominate proceedings, with Murray leading the way kicking a couple of nice scores. The first goal of the contest followed shortly afterwards. A high ball into the Ballinlough area caused confusion, and after a scramble was eventually dispatched into the back of the net. This gave Dunderry a 1-09 to 0-07 point advantage with only a few minutes left on the clock.
However, Ballinlough weren’t ready to give up yet, and some great build up play started in defence, saw the ball worked up to Nicholas Finlay, who skilfully fired over to begin the comeback.
With the clock ticking down, the ‘Lough needed a goal to stand a chance, and it came almost immediately after the resultant kick-out. Tom Shine won the ball and fed Daire Farrelly, who let fly with an unstoppable effort from thirty yards that nestled right in the bottom corner of the Dunderry goal.
Shine quickly added a final point from a free to level the sides. Both teams had a chance to win it at the death, but failed to register scores.
Best for Ballinlough on the day were Emmett Smith, Kevin Beirne, Nicholas Finlay and Tom Shine.
Ballinlough: M. Brady, M. Farrell, E. Smith, D. Lynch, J. O’Higgins, S. Smith, J. Farrelly, K. Beirne, M. Reilly, N. Finlay, K. Rothwell, O. Brady, L. Gibney, T. Shine, D. Farrelly. Subs: J. Lydon for S. Smith, B. Reilly for M. Reilly.
Ballinlough..............1-09
Dunderry................1-09
Ballinlough were without many regulars including: Derek Muldoon, Jonnie Reilly, Jonathon O' Reilly, Paul Farrelly, Jack Tunney, Brian Brady and Brian Mallen, but they still managed to get a draw and if they can win their two remaining matches against Clonard and Donaghmore/Ashbourne they are likely to make the knock-out stages.
Ballinlough started the game the brightest with Tom Shine kicking the first point with five minutes on the clock, after good work by Ken Rothwell. The ‘Lough dominated the next twenty minutes, but struggled to turn chances into scores, kicking a succession of wides. They only managed to add a further three points to their tally before the change of ends, thanks to Shine and Rothwell.
Dunderry were beginning to look dangerous on the break, with Eric Murray particularly impressive in attack. The ‘Lough were dealt a major blow when centre back, Shane Smith, had to be taken off injured midway through the half. But despite their increased opportunities, Dunderry only managed to convert a single score before the change in ends.
Ballinlough went into the half time break leading 0-04 to 0-01. However, they had to substitute their highly influential midfielder, Michael Reilly, during the halftime break due to a hamstring injury.
Dunderry showed real resolve after the interval, and began to dominate proceedings, with Murray leading the way kicking a couple of nice scores. The first goal of the contest followed shortly afterwards. A high ball into the Ballinlough area caused confusion, and after a scramble was eventually dispatched into the back of the net. This gave Dunderry a 1-09 to 0-07 point advantage with only a few minutes left on the clock.
However, Ballinlough weren’t ready to give up yet, and some great build up play started in defence, saw the ball worked up to Nicholas Finlay, who skilfully fired over to begin the comeback.
With the clock ticking down, the ‘Lough needed a goal to stand a chance, and it came almost immediately after the resultant kick-out. Tom Shine won the ball and fed Daire Farrelly, who let fly with an unstoppable effort from thirty yards that nestled right in the bottom corner of the Dunderry goal.
Shine quickly added a final point from a free to level the sides. Both teams had a chance to win it at the death, but failed to register scores.
Best for Ballinlough on the day were Emmett Smith, Kevin Beirne, Nicholas Finlay and Tom Shine.
Ballinlough: M. Brady, M. Farrell, E. Smith, D. Lynch, J. O’Higgins, S. Smith, J. Farrelly, K. Beirne, M. Reilly, N. Finlay, K. Rothwell, O. Brady, L. Gibney, T. Shine, D. Farrelly. Subs: J. Lydon for S. Smith, B. Reilly for M. Reilly.