‘Keeper turns poacher as Gibney sinks Dunshaughlin (28/5/13)
Lorcan Gibney had the unusual experience of switching from goalkeeper to corner forward during this Division 4 B-League match and he had all the instincts of a good forward as he turned up in the right place at the right time to score two goals as Ballinlough ran out comfortable winners against Dunshaughlin.
A comfortable Ballinlough victory looked unlikely at half-time with the team’s level; 0-4 to 1-1, having lost full back James Baugh through injury in the opening half things look didn’t look great for the North Meath outfit when midfielder Kevin Beirne also left the action through injury at half-time.
But Ballinlough made a couple of adjustments which seen Matthew Brady replacing Lorcan Gibney in goals. Gibney was redeployed in attack and twice within five minutes he finished from close range in what turned out to be the defining period of the game.
The opening half was an even contest with Ballinlough shading the possession stakes, they took an early two point lead but they were rocked by the concession of a penalty which put the home side ahead; 1-1 to 0-2. Ken Rothwell and Thomas Shine kicked points before the break as the North Meath outfit got back on terms; 0-4 to 1-1, at half-time.
Dunshaughlin scored a free early in the second half to take the lead but Ballinlough got back on terms and ten minutes into the second half the game was delicately poised; 0-6 to 1-3. But the winners found another gear; David Lynch and Junior O’ Reilly were excellent in defence while Oliver Brady was influential at midfield, they took the lead with points from Jack Tunney and Thomas Shine.
Then came a major breakthrough for Ballinlough as Lorcan Gibney reacted quickest to a rebound and poked home a goal, points from the outstanding James O’ Higgins and Niall Farrelly seen them go ahead; 1-11 to 1-4, with ten minutes remaining. They finished the match out in style as Gibney struck the net again and they tagged on three more points to secure a flattering 13 point victory.
Ballinlough: L. Gibney, E. Smith, J. Baugh, M. Farrell, D. Lynch, Junior O’ Reilly, Jonathon O’ Reilly, N. Farrelly, K. Beirne, O. Brady, K. Rothwell, J. O’ Higgins, J. Tunney, T. Shine, D. Farrelly. Subs: J. Farrelly for Baugh, N. Finlay for Beirne.