Slane 3-9  Ballivor 2-5

Slane hosted intermediate side Ballivor on Tuesday evening in Division 4 of the league and it was the Junior B side that came away with two points after a brilliant display.

Neither team could complain about the conditions as Toddy Harding Park basked in the evening sun and the playing surface was in immaculate condition.  Slane have been starting matches at a blistering pace lately and this was evident again as they took control from the throw in.  Slane created the first scoring chance of the match from the throw in and were unlucky that an excellent ball inside by Alan Harding just eluded Declan Kearns. However, it didn't take the home side long to register the first score as Podge McGowan picked out an exquisite pass to Harding who powerfully drove home to the back of the Ballivor net.  Slane did not let up and continued to put Ballivor under pressure all of the pitch which resulted in numerous turnovers. Eoin Gibbs attacked from midfield throughout the match and he was rewarded with the first point of the match. Eoin Feeley then scored the first free to put the Boynesiders five points clear.  Ballivor then registered their first score of the match from a placed ball before Slane responded through Kearns. Ballivor then reduced the deficit with two unanswered points before the score of of the match came from Kearns as he took on his marker before swinging over a fantastic left footed point from near the sideline.  The final score of the half came from McGowan who was a constant threat to Ballivor throughout. Half Time: Slane 1-5 Ballivor 0-3

Slane would have expected a response from Ballivor and this came at the start of the second half as they took control of the first ten minutes of the second period.  Slane continued to defend superbly and restricted Ballivor to only two points during this spell.  The Boynesiders response from here was excellent as they scored 2-3 without reply.  The first of these scores came from a brilliant solo run from McGowan as he took on half of the Ballivor defence before calmly slotting over.  McGowan that turned provider as Eanna Mooney was found with a defence splitting pass before side stepping his man and curling a shot to the bottom corner of the net. McGowan continued his scoring with another well taken score.  Mooney then got his first point of the game as he dummied his marker before moving onto his left and slotting over an excellent score.  Harding then got his second goal of the game as Slane produced a brilliant team move from back to front with real pace and accurate passing before Harding drove an unstoppable shot to the Ballivor net.  The final ten minutes of the match took some of the gloss off this commanding Slane performance as two Slane players received their marching orders after a mini scuffle broke out in the Ballivor defence.  The remaining ten minutes saw Slane repel constant attacks from Ballivor but their efforts couldn't see them keep Ballivor out as they found the back of the Slane net twice with two powerful strikes. The game ended in a fitting manner as Slane broke down a Ballivor attack and again moved the ball at pace before McGowan pointed the last score of the game with his less favoured right foot.

This was a highly impressive display from Slane that really showed the potential in this resurgent Slane side.  Their pace and accuracy in attack was matched by their hunger and tenacity in defence with every player putting in an impressive performance.

Slane: D Berrill, S Harding, W Clarke, D Carolan, C Smith, R Finnegan, K Dunne, E Gibbs (0-1), J Marry, D Lynch,  P McGowan (0-4), E Feeley (0-1), D Kearns (0-2), D Carolan, A Harding (2-0). Subs: E Mooney (1-1), M Tully, G Kealy, A Melia, J Markey.

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