A strong second half display from Meath Hill brought Ballinlough’s involvement in the U-21 ‘C’ Championship to an early conclusion in Carlanstown on Sunday afternoon.
Meath Hill…………………….1-8 Ballinlough…………………..0-7
Ballinlough lined out with five players who had featured for the Kilskyre/Moylagh combination that won the Minor Hurling ‘B’ Championship the previous day and fatigue was a major factor in the second half as Meath Hill finished much stronger.
The first half was a tight affair with Meath Hill enjoying plenty of possession but they were guilty of some poor shooting, at the other end Colm Mallen looked dangerous for Ballinlough and he was involved in all of their scores as they leveled it 0-3 to 0-3 after 17 minutes. Tommy Mc Cullen and Mallen got two points in quick succession as ‘The Reds’ went ahead 0-5 to 0-3 approaching half-time.
Meath Hill were given a major boost at the start of the second half when were awarded a penalty for a foot block by a Ballinlough defender, Mark Tully’s well taken penalty propelled them into the lead, 1-3 to 0-5, after 34 minutes. Ballinlough kept battling and led by corner back Shane Smith, who was exception throughout, they were still only a point in arrears with ten minutes remaining but Meath Hill outscored them 0-4 to 0-1 in the closing 10 minutes as they picked up the win.
Ballinlough: M. Brady, S. Smith, D. Lynch, N. Farrelly, E. Smith, P. Briody, M. Mc Cullen, T. Mc Cullen (0-1), P. Monaghan, S. Geraghty, J. O’ Reilly, K. Mallen (0-1), C. Mallen (0-5, 3f)