Good start for Junior D's
Ballinlough recorded a comfortable win over Dunshaughlin in the first round of the Junior D football championship in Dunderry on Sunday afternoon.
Ballinlough…………………1-13
Dunshaughlin……………..1-6
Both sides made a slow start, registering wides, before Dunshaughlin got off the mark with a point from play. ‘The Lough’ replied with a well taken point from Jonnie Reilly, Brian Smith pushed Ballinlough ahead with two points from placed balls before Dunshaughlin replied to level matters; 0-3 to 0-3. A long range effort from Jack Tunney sailed over the black spot to push the reds one clear again, the teams then traded points before the short whistle to leave the score at; 0-5 to 0-4, in favour of Ballinlough.
The wind favoured the North Meath men in the 2nd half and the tactic of playing the ball long and early into their forwards paid dividends, Jonnie Reilly increased the Ballinlough lead with a long range effort almost immediately after the restart. James O’ Higgins, Jack Tunney and Jonnie Reilly again pushed Ballinlough into a five point lead.
Ballinlough…………………1-13
Dunshaughlin……………..1-6
Both sides made a slow start, registering wides, before Dunshaughlin got off the mark with a point from play. ‘The Lough’ replied with a well taken point from Jonnie Reilly, Brian Smith pushed Ballinlough ahead with two points from placed balls before Dunshaughlin replied to level matters; 0-3 to 0-3. A long range effort from Jack Tunney sailed over the black spot to push the reds one clear again, the teams then traded points before the short whistle to leave the score at; 0-5 to 0-4, in favour of Ballinlough.
The wind favoured the North Meath men in the 2nd half and the tactic of playing the ball long and early into their forwards paid dividends, Jonnie Reilly increased the Ballinlough lead with a long range effort almost immediately after the restart. James O’ Higgins, Jack Tunney and Jonnie Reilly again pushed Ballinlough into a five point lead.
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The decisive score came midway through the 2nd half as Conor Briody rattled the net after good work from Gary Reilly. Dunshaughlin responded five minutes later with a goal of their own after a brief lapse of concentration, in an otherwise water-tight, Ballinlough defence. Further points from Briody, O’ Higgins, Smith (free), Gary Reilly and substitute Daire Farrell widened the gap as Dunshaughlin were struggling to cope with Ballinlough’s free flowing style of football.
Dunshaughlin were restricted to just two scores in the 2nd half and much credit must go to the Ballinlough defence where Nicholas Finlay was solid on his debut between the posts; his accurate kick-outs were the launch pad for many Ballinlough attacks. Full-back Vinny Ryan gave a commanding display; it may be over two decades since he played a leading part in Ballinlough’s last championship success but he epitomised a committed club man inspiring the younger players around him. Centre-back Jonathan O’ Reilly was excellent throughout and was ably assisted by Joe and Paul Farrelly. |
 Goal-getter Conor Briody |
Brian Smith used his superb fitness levels to cover plenty of ground and he was flawless from the dead ball. Ballinlough used seven minor players during the course of the game and among them were; Jonnie Reilly, Jack Tunney and Gary Reilly who were a constant threat in their attack. Having reached the Junior D final in 2010 Ballinlough will be hopeful that they can go one step further this year.
Ballinlough: N. Finlay, J. Farrelly, V. Ryan, J. Baugh, P. Farrelly, Jonathon O’ Reilly, G. Smith, B. Smith (0-3), Junior O’ Reilly, Jonnie Reilly (0-2), C. Briody (1-1), G. Reilly (0-1), J. Tunney (0-4), J. O’ Higgins (0-1), S. Deevy. Subs: James Lydon and D. Farrell (0-1)
Ballinlough: N. Finlay, J. Farrelly, V. Ryan, J. Baugh, P. Farrelly, Jonathon O’ Reilly, G. Smith, B. Smith (0-3), Junior O’ Reilly, Jonnie Reilly (0-2), C. Briody (1-1), G. Reilly (0-1), J. Tunney (0-4), J. O’ Higgins (0-1), S. Deevy. Subs: James Lydon and D. Farrell (0-1)