Ballinlough Get Over the Line Against Kilmainham (21/06/15)
Ballinlough had to come from behind to beat Kilmainham in this entertaining Junior D encounter, played in Athboy on Sunday afternoon.
Ballinlough: 4-08
Kilmainham: 4-04
Ballinlough: 4-08
Kilmainham: 4-04
Derek Muldoon had a huge impact once introduced
Both sides were slow to settle into proceedings with the games opening score not coming until the tenth minute, when Ballinlough’s Simon Deevy put the finishing touch to a good team move. Shortly after, centre-back James Baugh doubled his sides advantage after a surging run from defence.
However, it was Kilmainham who would go on to dominate the remainder of the opening period. Three impressive scores in quick succession, including a sweetly struck forty-five by goalkeeper Brian Black, saw them gain the lead by the twentieth minute.
A tactical change for Kilmainham then saw the imposing Peter Smith being moved from mid-field into the full forward line. The re-shuffle paid dividends almost immediately when Smith seized on a high ball into the area, and powered a shot to the back of the net. This saw his side go into the half time break leading by 1-3 to 0-2.
Although Ballinlough would have been hoping for a strong start to the second half, they were dealt a huge blow just two minutes in when Kilmainham picked up their second major score of the day to open up a seven point advantage.
However, the Ballinlough men did not let their heads drop, and began a spirited fightback. Niall Farrelly got things underway with a fantastic score from distance. Derek Muldoon was then introduced for the Reds and had a game-changing effect almost immediately, punching to the back of the net with his first touch of the ball, to reduce the deficit to just three points.
Minutes later, Muldoon picked up his second goal of the afternoon in similar circumstances to the first, bringing the sides back level. A fine point from super-sub Muldoon, combined with a Niall Farrelly free moments later put Ballinlough back in front for the first time in the half.
It seemed as though momentum had swung to the ‘Lough and that they would pull away, but a goal mouth scramble saw Smith grab another goal for Kilmainham and edged them back in front.
The end to end action refused to let up, and the ever young Michael Reilly saw the lead switch hands again with a great finish past Black in the Kilmainham goals.
Tommy Shine’s men showed better resolve for the remainder of the contest, and points from Muldoon, Jonathan Francis Montgomery and Seamus Fagan (who was immense around the middle of the field) saw them cement their advantage. Muldoon capped his action packed half hour with a superb goal late on to complete his hat-trick and put his side seven points to the good.
Kilmainham converted a consolation penalty in the closing minutes, but it was too little too late, as Ballinlough solidified their position at the top of Group D.
Ballinlough: L. Gibney, M .Farrell, J. O’Keefe, J. Farrelly, O. Brady, J. Baugh (0-1), D. Francis Montgomery, S. Fagan (0-1), S. Deevy (0-1), P. Briody, J. O’Higgins, N. Farrelly (0-2), M. McInerney, K. Rothwell, J. Francis Montgomery (0-1). Subs: D. Muldoon (3-2) for M. McInerney, M. Reilly (1-0) for J. O’Higgins, J. O’Higgins for O. Brady.
However, it was Kilmainham who would go on to dominate the remainder of the opening period. Three impressive scores in quick succession, including a sweetly struck forty-five by goalkeeper Brian Black, saw them gain the lead by the twentieth minute.
A tactical change for Kilmainham then saw the imposing Peter Smith being moved from mid-field into the full forward line. The re-shuffle paid dividends almost immediately when Smith seized on a high ball into the area, and powered a shot to the back of the net. This saw his side go into the half time break leading by 1-3 to 0-2.
Although Ballinlough would have been hoping for a strong start to the second half, they were dealt a huge blow just two minutes in when Kilmainham picked up their second major score of the day to open up a seven point advantage.
However, the Ballinlough men did not let their heads drop, and began a spirited fightback. Niall Farrelly got things underway with a fantastic score from distance. Derek Muldoon was then introduced for the Reds and had a game-changing effect almost immediately, punching to the back of the net with his first touch of the ball, to reduce the deficit to just three points.
Minutes later, Muldoon picked up his second goal of the afternoon in similar circumstances to the first, bringing the sides back level. A fine point from super-sub Muldoon, combined with a Niall Farrelly free moments later put Ballinlough back in front for the first time in the half.
It seemed as though momentum had swung to the ‘Lough and that they would pull away, but a goal mouth scramble saw Smith grab another goal for Kilmainham and edged them back in front.
The end to end action refused to let up, and the ever young Michael Reilly saw the lead switch hands again with a great finish past Black in the Kilmainham goals.
Tommy Shine’s men showed better resolve for the remainder of the contest, and points from Muldoon, Jonathan Francis Montgomery and Seamus Fagan (who was immense around the middle of the field) saw them cement their advantage. Muldoon capped his action packed half hour with a superb goal late on to complete his hat-trick and put his side seven points to the good.
Kilmainham converted a consolation penalty in the closing minutes, but it was too little too late, as Ballinlough solidified their position at the top of Group D.
Ballinlough: L. Gibney, M .Farrell, J. O’Keefe, J. Farrelly, O. Brady, J. Baugh (0-1), D. Francis Montgomery, S. Fagan (0-1), S. Deevy (0-1), P. Briody, J. O’Higgins, N. Farrelly (0-2), M. McInerney, K. Rothwell, J. Francis Montgomery (0-1). Subs: D. Muldoon (3-2) for M. McInerney, M. Reilly (1-0) for J. O’Higgins, J. O’Higgins for O. Brady.
