Ballivor 3-15, Kilmainhamwood 1-10

Ballivor got their eagerly anticipated Championship campaign underway with a solid victory over Kilmainhamwood.

It was an even start to the game with one point in it after 10 minutes 1-01 to 0-03 points to Ballivor. Ballivor's goal coming through Brendan McKeon after some great build up play out the field.

An exchange of frees for both sides was followed by another goal for Ballivor from Brendan McKeon - leaving the half time score at 2-06 to 0-06 points.

As has been a trait recently, Ballivor really upped the intensity at the beginning of the second half, effectively ending the game as a contest. The Wood could not handle Ballivor's pace going forward.

The 3rd goal was somewhat unorthodox, when a ball was hanging in the air for what seemed like an age - dropped towards Kilmainhamwoods two 6 foot plus full backs, but Nicky Potterton leaped to emerge between the two defenders to bury the ball home.

From here it was point for point for a period, with Kilmainhamwood raising a green flag after a good save from Conor Smith, but Ballivor could not clear their lines.

As the game drew to a close, Ballivor seen it out well ensuring there was no nervy finalé.

There were six Championship debuts in a youthful Ballivor side - with Conor Smith, Martin Browne, Martin Healy, Mark Healy, Evan Fitzgerald and Nicky Potterton all making their first appearance for the Maroons.

Ballivor are out next Friday versus Cortown in Dunganny as the Championship gets into full swing.

Full time score: Ballivor 3-15, Kilmainhamwood 1-10

Foireann Baile Íomhair: Conor Smith, Jamie Smyth, Gary Sherrock, Martin Browne, David Raleigh, Tosh Raleigh, Cilly Canavan (0-1), Kevin McKeon (0-4), Keith Keoghan, Martin Healy, Joe Mclaughlin (0-1), Evan Fitzgerald (0-1), Nicky Potterton (1-1), Mark Healy, Brendan McKeon (2-5). Subs: A Gannon (0-2) for Martin Healy, J Ryan for J Smyth, C Dunne for Mark Healy, M Grundy for D Raleigh. R Sherrock, D Heavey, J Kelly, B Perry, P Farrell, C Dowling.

Kilmainhamwood Report

Kilmainhamwood 1-10 Ballivor 3-14

Kilmainhamwood were defeated in the first round of the Meath junior championship by an impressive Ballivor side. 
The game started of evenly as an early goal and a point by Ballivor was cancelled out by four excellent points from Kilmainhamwoods full forward line Stephen Kieran, Paddy Carolan and David Russell. 
The games critical moment came when a wayward pass from Richard Corbally was intercepted before a counter attack led to a second goal for the men in maroon and white. A kick out straight to a Ballivor corner forward straight after the goal led to another point. The two sides matched two points each before the end of the half to leave Kilmainhamwood 0-6 to 2-6 down at the break despite the fact there had been little between the sides in terms of possession. 

Ballivors busy full forward line continued to to cause chaos early in the second half, and when a ball was not caught by a Kilmainhamwood defender, Ballivor pounced for another goal which ended the game as a contest. The Wood were then dealt a further blow as they were reduced to 14 due to two yellow cards. To there credit, they kept trying hard and Paddy Carolan scored the rebound of a David Russel shot and Micheal Shankey covered every blade of grass in a superb performance for the men from north Meath. 

There were also championship debuts for David Carolan, Declan Reilly and Niall McCabe in which all three did well under difficult circumstances. 

Best for Kilmainhamwood we're David Russel, Paddy Carolan and Micheal Shankey. 

Kilmainhamwood: Damian Russell, Richard Corbally, Padraic Barber, Phillip Moran, Alan Carolan, Peter Flood, Cathel Bennett, Conor Kiernan, Gary Yorke, Micheal Shankey (0-1), Harry Corbally, Paul Carolan, Stephen Kiernan (0-3), Paddy Carolan (1-3), David Russel (0-3)

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