A-League Div. 2 (17/3/12): Ballinlough finish well to beat Walterstown
A Sean Geraghty goal with six minutes remaining was the turning point as Ballinlough came from behind to defeat Walterstown at Grangegodden in Division 2 of the A-League on St. Patrick's day.
Ballinlough...............1-9
Walterstown.............0-11
Ballinlough started and finished this match well but they lost their way in between and a Walterstown victory looked the most likely outcome as they led 0-10 to 0-6 with eight minutes remaining but the momentum of the game switched when Ballinlough goalkeeper Keith Mc Guinness made a brilliant save and then in 'The Reds' next attack a Peadar Byrne free wasnt cleared and Sean Geraghty poked the ball to the net, the goal was the catalyst for a recovery that had looked most unlikely only a few minutes earlier.
Ballinlough dominated the early stages with Peadar Byrne in the thick of the action with two frees and a point from play, Benji Smith was also on target when he pushed forward to finish off a move that involved Sean Geraghty, Cian Mallen and Byrne as the North Meath outfit went ahead 0-4 to 0-1 after 20 minutes. But Walterstown started to find some confidence and the pace of their youthful forward line was starting to create some good scoring opportunities; Ritchie Barry, Alban Crosbie and Cormac Madden were all on target as they were back on terms 0-4 to 0-4 at half-time.
Peadar Byrne with a free and '45 exchanged scores with the lively Mark Mc Cormack but Ronan Barry was now starting to win a lot of possession at midfield and Davey Reynolds was also making a significant impact as centre half back as the Ballinlough forward line appeared to be running out of ideas and failed to score for the next 20 minutes as all the momentum appeared to be with Walterstown; scores from Alban Crosbie (2), Ritchie Barry and Cormac Madden gave them a 0-10 to 0-6 lead with eight minutes remaining and just when they when it looked as if they would run out comfortable winners Ballinlough 'keeper Keith Mc Guinness showed proved his worth to get down low and prevent a certain goal and keep his team in the contest.
Geraghty punched the ball to the net with six minutes remaining and it reignited his team as points from Byrne; 2 frees, and James O' Higgins gave Ballinlough a two point lead, 1-9 to 0-10, with time running out. Walterstown conjured up a couple of late attacks but all they could come up with was a Cormac Madden point as Ballinlough held on for their second victory of their league campaign.
Ballinlough: K. Mc Guinness, E. Smith, P. Muldoon, R. Farrell, B. Smith (0-1), L. Maguire, Colm Mallen, T. Mc Cullen, P. Byrne (0-7,5f, 1 '45), Cian Mallen, K. Devine, S. Geraghty (1-0), M. Mc Cullen, Jonnie Reilly. Subs: J. O' Higgins (0-1) for Reilly.
Ballinlough...............1-9
Walterstown.............0-11
Ballinlough started and finished this match well but they lost their way in between and a Walterstown victory looked the most likely outcome as they led 0-10 to 0-6 with eight minutes remaining but the momentum of the game switched when Ballinlough goalkeeper Keith Mc Guinness made a brilliant save and then in 'The Reds' next attack a Peadar Byrne free wasnt cleared and Sean Geraghty poked the ball to the net, the goal was the catalyst for a recovery that had looked most unlikely only a few minutes earlier.
Ballinlough dominated the early stages with Peadar Byrne in the thick of the action with two frees and a point from play, Benji Smith was also on target when he pushed forward to finish off a move that involved Sean Geraghty, Cian Mallen and Byrne as the North Meath outfit went ahead 0-4 to 0-1 after 20 minutes. But Walterstown started to find some confidence and the pace of their youthful forward line was starting to create some good scoring opportunities; Ritchie Barry, Alban Crosbie and Cormac Madden were all on target as they were back on terms 0-4 to 0-4 at half-time.
Peadar Byrne with a free and '45 exchanged scores with the lively Mark Mc Cormack but Ronan Barry was now starting to win a lot of possession at midfield and Davey Reynolds was also making a significant impact as centre half back as the Ballinlough forward line appeared to be running out of ideas and failed to score for the next 20 minutes as all the momentum appeared to be with Walterstown; scores from Alban Crosbie (2), Ritchie Barry and Cormac Madden gave them a 0-10 to 0-6 lead with eight minutes remaining and just when they when it looked as if they would run out comfortable winners Ballinlough 'keeper Keith Mc Guinness showed proved his worth to get down low and prevent a certain goal and keep his team in the contest.
Geraghty punched the ball to the net with six minutes remaining and it reignited his team as points from Byrne; 2 frees, and James O' Higgins gave Ballinlough a two point lead, 1-9 to 0-10, with time running out. Walterstown conjured up a couple of late attacks but all they could come up with was a Cormac Madden point as Ballinlough held on for their second victory of their league campaign.
Ballinlough: K. Mc Guinness, E. Smith, P. Muldoon, R. Farrell, B. Smith (0-1), L. Maguire, Colm Mallen, T. Mc Cullen, P. Byrne (0-7,5f, 1 '45), Cian Mallen, K. Devine, S. Geraghty (1-0), M. Mc Cullen, Jonnie Reilly. Subs: J. O' Higgins (0-1) for Reilly.