Dunshaughlin 3-4
Ballinlough 1-15

Ballinlough maintained their winning streak in this years B-League with an impressive victory over Dunshaughlin in sunny conditions on Tuesday evening.

It was the 'Loughs second trip to Dunshaughlin in just over a week, after a narrow loss in the A-League ten days previously. Once again, the fine surface allowed for a fast, flowing game of football to be played. It was the visitors who opened the scoring with lively wing forward Paddy Briody finding his range after some good work by Niall Farrelly around the middle of the field.

James O'Higgins soon doubled the advantage, before Dunshaughlin got their opening score - converting a close range free. Ballinlough continued to dominate the early exchanges with Kevin Beirne, Junior O'Reilly and Niall Farrelly winning almost every break around the middle of the field. However, their shooting let them down on several occasions early on so their dominance on the field was not reflected on the scoreboard.

Wing back Paul Monaghan settled matters slightly for the 'Lough with a brilliant score to put his side 0-3 to 0-1 ahead. Emmet Smith extended this lead further with a fine finish after a great run from defence, before Ken Rothwell pointed with an excellent finish from a narrow angle to put his side four points to the good.

Just when it seemed as though Ballinlough might be out of sight by the half time break, the hosts grabbed a goal from nowhere. Their centre forward showed great pace and vision to break free of the Reds defence and loft the ball into the top corner of the goal. This was followed up with another converted free by Dunshaughlin to level matters.

The Ballinlough defence tightened up after this, and did not concede for the rest of the half, with James O'Keefe in particular showing great leadership at full back. O'Higgins put the visitors back in the lead with a brace of trademark freekicks off the ground, before Adam Fox and Paddy Briody closed the half out with impressive points. This left the 'Lough leading by 0-9 to 1-2 at the change of ends.

Dunshaughlin started the second half on the front foot, and began to have more joy winning ball around the middle of the field. It took just minutes for them to find the back of the net again and reduce the deficit to the minimum.

Ballinlough however did not panic, and a great team move saw Junior O'Reilly finish powerfully to the roof of the net moments later to restore the four point cushion.

Dunshaughlin clawed back another two points before O'Higgins again found his range from the placed ball. Substitutes Conor Maguire and Matthew McInerney impressed once introduced and each picked up great scores to put the 'Lough further in front.

With two minutes remaining, Dunshaughlin were awarded a penalty, which they duly dispatched. Stand-in Ballinlough goal keeper Jonathan Francis Montgomery was unlucky not to keep the spot kick out after diving the right way. However, this goal proved to be too little too late for the home side.

The last word was left to McInerney, who curled over a beautiful effort with his left boot to seal a five point victory for the 'Lough. This leaves them with four wins from four, and they will be full of confidence heading into Sunday's clash with Ballinabrackey.

Ballinlough: J. Francis Montgomery, M. Farrell, J. O'Keefe, J. Farrelly, P. Monaghan, E. Smith, D. Francis Montgomery, Junior O'Reilly, K. Beirne, P. Briody, J. O'Higgins, N. Farrelly, A. Fox, S. Deevy, K. Rothwell. Subs: M. McInerney for A. Fox, O. Brady for S. Deevy, C. Maguire for N. Farrelly.

Dunshaughlin 3-04
Ballinlough 1-15

Ballinlough's clinical shooting in front of goals was the difference as the men from North Meath took the two points in this Div 4 B league clash played in Dunshaughlin on Tuesday evening.

It was the visitors who made a better start to the game before Dunshaughlin danger man James Rattigan managed to get 1-01 on the scoreboard to have the black and amber back  in the tie. A converted David McCormack free also raised the white flag but Ballinlough were punishing Dunshauglin with some fine scores from converted frees and some long range scoring to have Dunshaughlin trailing by 4 points at the break.  James Rattigan took off here he left off for Dunshaughlin as the second half commenced with him getting another goal in the first minute  following some good work from Ronnie Yore and some fine goalkeeping from Mark Galvin that started the move. This goal gave the black and amber some confidence and David McCormack got his second score of the night with his back to the goal in true Kenny Dalglish fashion to now have only a point between the teams. Ballinlough however were to respond very impressively with them getting their first goal of the game 5 minutes later and went on to score 4 unanswered points. Conor Mooney was enjoying a fine game in the middle of the field for Dunshaughlin and it was his fine catch and solo run that resulted in a James Rattigan score that gave Dunshaughlin some hope as the game entered the final 10 minutes. Ballinlough were very clinical in front of the goals and were to add a few more scores before a converted Jaames Rattigan penalty  following a fine catch from Shane Troy who leapt like a salmon in the Ballinlough square  and was fouled with a minute remaining gave Dunshaughlin some hope however time was their enemy with Ballinough deservedly running out 5 point winners.  Best for Dunshaughlin were hat trick hero James Rattigan, Conor Mooney, David Mc Mahon, Eoin Herlihy and David McCormack.

Dunshaughlin - M.Galvin, D.Quinn, E.Herlihy, R.Yore, J.Coleman, D.McMahon, S.Troy, C.Mooney, P.McHale, S.Farrell,J.Rattigan,A.Kealy,l.Donovan,D.McCormack.B.Duggan. Subs - K.Rooney for L.Donovan, P.Rattigan for B.Duggan

 

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