Ballinlough followed-up their worst performance of their A-league campaign, an 11 point drubbing at home to Castletown ten days ago, with their best performance; a 13 point victory away to St. Colmcilles on Monday night.
Ballinlough……………………..3-14 St. Colmcilles…………………..1-7
The contrast in the two teams was evident throughout as Ballinlough played with much more enthusiasm from start to finish. Central to their win was county panelist Peadar Byrne who gave a great performance, he set the tempo for ‘The Reds’ with a spectacular early goal; planting the ball in the top corner from 25 meters for the first score of the game.
Byrne’s goal was the catalyst for some fine attacking play from Ballinlough, the Colmcille’s defence was unlocked twice more before the break as the impressive duo of Conor Briody and Kevin Mallen both rattled the net to put their team into a commanding; 3-5 to 0-5, lead at half-time.
With Cian Mallen and Tommy Mc Cullen impressing at midfield the Ballinlough forwards continued to profit from a plentiful supply of possession and Ken Rothwell shot three points as they extended their advantage.
St. Colmcille’s were given some reward when corner forward Ben Brennan got a goal after a high ball broke around the goal mouth, however Ballinlough were not flustered and points from Ronan Mc Guinness (2), Kevin Mallen, Lorcan Maguire, Cian Mallen and Conor Briody sealed a convincing win.
Ballinlough: K. Mc Guinness, B. Smith, P. Muldoon, R. Farrell, Colm Mallen, K. Devine (0-1f), Cian Mallen (0-1), T. Mc Cullen, C. Briody (1-1), L. Maguire (0-2, 1f), P. Byrne (1-2), K. Rothwell (0-4), K. Mallen (1-1), R. Mc Guinness (0-2). Subs: S. Byrne for Byrne, M. Mc Cullen for K. Mallen and Jonathon O’ Reilly for Colm Mallen.