Ballinlough secure promotion and final place (27/07/15)

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Ballinlough’s second team travelled to Skryne on Monday night knowing a win would guarantee a place in the league final. A win would also secure a third promotion in five years for the Reds.


The North Meath men got off to the prefect start with James O’Higgins blasting to the net after great work from Simon Deevy and Ken Rothwell. Skryne responded well by kicking two points, one from play and one from a placed ball. In between points from Niall Farrelly and Paddy Briody, Junior O’Reilly managed to get in behind the Skryne defence to finish low to the net.  


Ballinlough were dealt a major blow when losing captain James O’Keefe to injury. This loss didn’t seem to trouble this determined Ballinlough outfit and they were able to add further points on from Junior O’Reilly and Jack Tunney. The Reds finished the half in the best possible way with Paddy Briody finding the back of the net after a great team move. 

Half Time: Ballinlough 3-04 Skryne 0.04

Both teams traded points early in the second and the pick of them was an unbelievable point from Seamus Fagan, steering the ball over with the outside of the left. Further points from Niall Farrelly, James O’Higgins and Paddy Briody left Ballinlough up by 9 heading into the last quarter. Skryne were not going to roll over on home soil and got it back to 5 points with a goal of their own. Ballinlough could have been in more trouble only for some great saves by Lorcan Gibney. The Reds weathered this storm and were able to finish the game of in style. James O’Higgins added his second goal when finishing low to the Skryne net.
Full Time: Ballinlough 4-08 Skryne 1-09

Ballinlough will now look forward to the final against Curraha in the coming weeks. This was a great team performance and the win was aided by a strong bench.
  
BallInlough Team: L. Gibney, J. Baugh, J. O’Keefe, M. Farrell, D. Francis Montgomery, E. Smith, J. O’Reilly (1-1), K. Beirne, S. Fagan (0-1), P. Briody (1-2), N. Farrelly (0-2), K. Rothwell, J. Tunney (0-1), S. Deevy, J. O’Higgins (2-1). Subs: J. Francis Montgomery for J. O’Keefe (inj), P. Monaghan for E. Smith, A. Fox for P. Briody, D. Muldoon for S. Fagan, M.McInerney for K. Rothwell and O. Brady for S. Deevy.