Ballinlough 1-16 Kilmainham 2-11

Ballinlough claimed the honours with a hard earned win over Kilmainham in near perfect conditions on Friday night.

With both sides trading scores in the first half there was only a point between the two teams. Kilmainham opened up a five point lead in the second half and looked to be in control.

But Ballinlough responded in fine fashion with Peadar Byrne kickstarting the revival with a spectacular goal. The home team took in control at midfield with Tommy McCullen and Michael Geraghty dominating exchanges.

Kilmainham's over reliance on Mickey Newman's excellent free taking for scores proved costly as Ballinlough finally took complete control but a late, late goal from the 'spot' by Newman wasn't enough to save the points.

Man of the match Robbie Farrell was outstanding at corner back and managed to score 2 points from play. He was well assisted by Johnny Reilly, Tommy McCullen, Ronan McGuinness and James Baugh.

Ballinlough: D Muldoon, R Farrell, P Muldoon, M Farrell, E Smith, L Maguire, J Baugh, T McCullen, M Geraghty, M McCullen, R McGuinness, J Reilly, B Smith, N Farrelly, P Byrne. Subs: C Briody, J Tunney.

Kilmainham report:

Ballinlough 1-16 Kilmainham 2-11

Kilmainham travelled to a sunny Ballinlough on Friday evening hoping to come away with the spoils. It all looked to go to plan with 20minutes to go when they led by 4 points and seemed to have the upper hand on the 'Lough but they could not hold onto the lead.

Ballinlough started off the brighter of the 2 teams and ran into a 2 point lead. Kilmainham responded with 3 points from Mickey Newman (2play, 1free) with the 2nd being assisted by a great ball from Paul Farrelly into Mickey to beat his man and slot it over. Both teams traded points before Kilmainham had a chance to put the ball in the net but great defending from the 'Lough the ball bounced back out to the waiting Freddie Newman who slotted over. Mark Newman chipped in with a sweet strike close to the line and sailed it over the bar. The half finished with a fantastic catch from Pat O'Sullivan who off loaded to the waiting Shane Morgan who slotted over to give Kilmainham the lead 0-08 to 0-07 at the break.

Kilmainham began the 2nd half as they finished the 1st with 3 points on the trot. After a great block by Harry Newman deep in the back line, Kilmainham began their most promising move with great running by Gerard Morgan up the line who sent a pass into the square where O'Sullivan rose highest and fisted the ball into the net. This gave Kilmainham a 5point lead with 20 minutes left on the clock. Ballinlough moved the evergreen Peader Byrne out the field which caused a lot of problems as his direct running resulted in scores or frees. The 'Lough hit 1-08 without reply in the next 18minutes. Richie Brady moved out the field and his efforts were rewarded when he was hauled down in the square, The referee had no choice but to award the penalty despite the best efforts of Ballinlough players to change his mind. It resulted in the'Lough losing Peader Byrne to a straight red card. Mickey Newman stood up and slotted away the penalty. There was an eagerness in Kilmainham's play to punish Ballinlough and turn around a 2 point deficit. On 32 minutes Stephen Newman put in a massive block deep in defence that set the Kilmainham attack going again. A free was awarded and with it being the last kick of the game Newman had no choice but to go for goal. However the resulted kick went to the left and wide. The 'Lough ran out 1-16 to 2-11 winners.

Kilmainham team: Declan Nelson, Joe Mahon, Richie Brady, Stephen Newman, Fergal Black, Harry Newman, Gerard Morgan (0-01), Paul Farrelly, Barry Lynch, Sean Mahon, Mickey Newman (1-07, 3pl,4 frees, 1 pen), Shane Morgan (0-01), Freddie Newman (0-01), Mark Newman (0-01), Pat O'Sullivan (1-00).

Subs: Paddy Hennigan for Freddie Newman, Dean Peppard for Mark Newman.

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