Ballinlough...................... 3-08 St Colmcilles................... 2-18
Ballinlough finished off their A league campaign with a disappointing defeat at the hands of Seasiders St Colmcilles on Sunday morning at a sun drenched Kilskyre pitch. The Lough started off well with a point from Kevin Mallen in the opening minutes of the game. However St Colmcilles started to dominate first half proceedings and seemed more dangerous on the attack with a lot of ball being won by their main play maker in the full forward position Graham Reilly, who recovered well from his county exploits of the previous evening.
Ballinlough kept plugging away and in return Cian Mallen scored a goal to keep his side in contention. However goals were never too far away down the opposite end, with Colmcilles netting twice in the 1st half.
Ballinlough tried to push on with further scores coming from Jonnie Reilly and Kevin Mallen, as well as two well taken frees from the Lough’s own County Star Peadar Byrne. In return however, Colmcilles continued to gain a stranglehold of the game and were rewarded with some fine scores, again from their main threat up front Graham “Biggie” Reilly. At half time Ballinlough trailed 1-05 to St Colmcille’s 2-11.
The second half brought about 2 goals for Ballinlough via Peadar Byrne, the second a great tackle from Byrne as he put the Colmcilles goalkeeper under severe pressure resulting in a well struck ball landing in the back of the net. Unfortunately for Ballinlough they couldn’t push on from this spell and it was the Cilles who finished the stronger. The Lough were well able to win their frees, which Kevin Mallen scored three of, late in the second half, but it wasn't enough and it was St Colmcilles who pushed on to earn a deserved 7 point victory.
Best for Ballinlough on the day were Peadar Byrne, Benji Smyth and Tommy McCullen.
Ballinlough: Shane Smyth, Benji Smyth, Michael Geraghty, Robbie Farrell, Ronan McGuinness, Niall Farrelly, James Baugh, Tommy McCullen, Kevin Beirne, James Higgins, Kevin Devine, Peadar Byrne, Jonnie Reilly, Cian Mallen, Kevin Mallen. Subs: Mark McCullen for Kevin Beirne, Paul Farrelly for James Baugh.