Syddan 0-8 Ballinabrackey 0-8

Scores were in short supply but there was drama aplenty as Syddan secured the point necessary to win promotion in this hard fought Division 2 league tie on Sunday evening.

For much of the game this was a dour, physical, feisty encounter, with both teams adopting a defensive strategy. However there was a sensational end to proceedings with most of the dramatics arriving in the five minutes added on by Simonstown referee Martin Griffin.

During that time Ballinabrackey had two players red carded, Damien Carroll and Derek Flynn, following separate incidents. The Offaly border side fought desperately to hold on to their one point advantage and seemed to have done enough to inflict a first defeat of the campaign on Syddan.

However with mere seconds remaining Ballinabrackey keeper Ciaran Cummins was penalised for time wasting and after gaining possession from the resultant throw up Michael Fedigan was fouled for a penalty. It gave Daire Rowe the opportunity to drive the spot kick over the bar for the equaliser and secure Syddan's place in the top division for the first time ever.

That exciting finish compensated for what was produced by both teams earlier in the game. Scores were at a premium throughout and Syddan seemed in trouble when only level at 0-4 each at the break after playing with the advantage of a stiff breeze.

With former county player Chris O'Connor in a sweeper role and Ballinabrackey getting behind the ball in numbers it left Syddan with few scoring options.

The game was seven minutes old before Kevin Traynor opening the scoring and the visitors soon drew level following a Damien Carroll point.

The next score didn't arrive until the 19th minute, Danny Quinn splitting the posts to give the Bracks a 0-2 to 0-1 advantage. The remaining five points of the half all came from placed ball, Brian Dillon, and Daire Rowe  (two) converting frees to put Syddan ahead 0-4 to 0-2 before Carroll kicked two frees late in the half to regain parity.

The third quarter produced just a single score, a fine point from Daire Rowe out on the left wing. Sean Clare then doubled Syddan's advantage before Seamus Curry hit Ballinabrackey's first score of the second half on 49 minutes.

A Carroll effort left the teams level and Chris O'Connor then pointed his side ahead on 54 minutes. It was back to level pegging following a terrific score from Sean Clare and there was just a minute of normal time remaining when Curry hit what looked to be the winning score.

However just as they had done in their previous outing against Walterstown Syddan struck at the death to secure promotion and a place in the Division 2 decider.

SYDDAN - Ciaran Farrelly; Mark Fedigan, Ronan Mooney, Thomas Meade; Stuart Fedigan, Andrew Garland, Jack Reid; Sean Clare 0-2, Kevin Traynor 0-1; Graham Garland, Daire Rowe 0-4 (2fs, 1 pen), Michael Fedigan; Brian Dillon 0-1f, Gary Farrelly, Cormac Rowe. Subs - Padraic Dillon for B Dillon, Peter Sheehy for Mooney.

BALLINABRACKEY - Ciaran Cummins; Sean Bannon, Nicky Judge, Diarmuid Meleady; Eric Clancy, Derek Flynn, Richie Coffey; Trevor Bannon, Seamus Curry 0-2; Gavin Quinn, Andrew Munnelly, Dean McNamee; Chris O'Connor 0-1, Damien Carroll 0-4 (2fs), Danny Quinn 0-1.

REF - Martin Griffin (Simonstown)

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