Ballinlough made the long journey to Summerhill on Monday evening with high hopes but failed to leave with any points. The game was played in ideal conditions in the recently opened Summerhill pitch.
Summerhill………….0-11 Ballinlough….……....1-05
Ballinlough made a bright start to the game racing into a four points to one lead through points from James Higgins, Vinny Ryan, Seamus Fagan and Conor Briody. Summerhill started to dominate around the middle of the field and got back on level terms through some well taken frees. Ballinlough’s failure to convert their dominance into scores in the closing stages allowed Summerhill to take a two point lead into the second half. The half-time score read 6 points to four in favour of the hosts.
Summerhill made a positive start to the second half and reeled off two early scores to leave them in a comfortable position. Ballinlough responded with a free from Brian Smyth to close the margin to 3 points. A foul on Seamus Fagan inside the area and Derek Muldoon converted the resulting penalty to leave the game all square. Summerhill kicked on from this and registered the next three scores. Ballinlough tried in vain to convert another major but couldn’t get past a resolute Summerhill defense.
Best for Ballinlough on the day were; Joey Byrne, Jonathan O’ Reilly, Eugene O’ Reilly and Vinny Ryan
Ballinlough: K Mc Guinness, J O’Keefe, J Byrne, J O’ Reilly, C Briody (0-1), E O’ Reilly, K Mallon, S Fagan (0-1), D Muldoon (1-0), B Smyth(0-1), K Devine, D McNamee, J Higgins(0-1), V Ryan(0-1), D McCartan.