Ballinlough 0-15 Oldcastle 2-08

Ballinlough and Oldcastle met in the first round of the much anticipated U-20 Championship and while the game was originally fixed for Milbrook, bad weather meant they were unable to host, so the onus was put on the ever dependable Ballinlough pitch up the road to take the game, and it was thanks in no small part to the exceptional work from Gerry McNamee in keeping the place in tip top shape all year round, that we were able to provide a top class pitch on the first weekend of December!!

When Referee Peter O’Halloran got the game underway Oldcastle got off to the best possible start with a goal from the first attack, followed up swiftly with a point from play. It took a Daire Shine free in the fourth minute to get Ballinlough up and running, but that was cancelled out with a very tidy point from play for Oldcastle. While Ballinlough were seeing plenty of possession they couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard, sending a couple of attempts wide of the mark before Jamie Casserly finally made one stick with a well taken point in the 11th minute.

Another Oldcastle point from play extended their lead and indeed they could have being further ahead but were left to rue some wayward shooting, before Daire Shine added another free for Ballinlough just on the stroke of the first water break so when Referee Peter O’Halloran called time the scoreline read Oldcastle 1-03 to Ballinlough’s 0-03.

From the restart Ballinlough got the first and only offensive mark score of the night when Séan Tunney sent in a superb ball and Daire Shine was quick witted enough to stick his fist in the air before settling himself and sending the ball over the bar. Scores were coming tit for tat with Oldcastle pointing in the 21st minute, while Jamie Casserly sent another one over for the Lough a minute later. After a lot of patient build up Oldcastle added a couple more points to their tally while Ballinlough finished the half strongly with a Daire Shine free and a glorious goal chance for Conor Rennicks whose shot from distance caught the keeper out but just came off the underside of the bar and bounced safely away much to the relief of the Oldcastle rear guard. That chance was to be the last action of the half so when Referee Peter O’Halloran blew for half time Oldcastle still led by that goal 1-06 to Ballinlough’s 0-06.

With the second half came the pelting rain making conditions more than a little slippy underfoot but the rain did nothing to stop Jamie Casserly firing over a point seconds after the restart to lower the deficit to two points. An Oldcastle free restored their three point lead but Ballinlough were fighting for every ball, forcing plenty of turnovers and were unlucky to not add a goal to their tally when Daire Shine cut through but hit the side netting, but the disappointment didn’t linger long as he followed that effort up with a well taken point from play in the 35th minute. 

Kit Óg Lynch was introduced from the bench in the 36th minute and I’d say he had hardly handed the slip to the Referee before he got his name on the scoresheet, scoring an excellent point with his first touch of the ball.

A left footed free from the boot of Jamie Casserly leveled things up for the first time of the evening before Oldcastle, who were struggling to make much inroads with the ball, managed another point from play in the 39th minute, but it was all Ballinlough this quarter when Jamie Casserly scored a super free in the 43rd minute, and seconds later the Lough had another goal chance denied, Oisin McDermott doing well to convert a point from the missed goal opportunity to give Ballinlough the lead for the first time.

From that kick-out and completely against the run of play Oldcastle were gifted a goal when a mix up in the Ballinlough defense saw Keeper Matthew Farrelly isolated with two Oldcastle players bearing down on him, and while he did well to make the initial save, there was no stopping the rebound from trickling into the net just before the second water break. Having worked so hard to clear the deficit Ballinlough were left to do it all again as they trailed by two points on a scoreline of Oldcastle 2-08 to Ballinlough’s 0-12.

With the rain hammering down and the clock ticking away it would have being easy for the young men of Ballinlough to let the heads drop for the last quarter, but they knew this game was far from over and after a stagnant period of play for both sides Jamie Casserly finally got the scoreboard working again with a point from play in the 52nd minute. From the resulting kickout abit of a skirmish developed around the middle of the park with several players getting involved with a bit of pushing and shoving, but Referee Peter O’Halloran had the same opinion as me when he determined it was all much ado about nothing and play resumed with no cards shown to either side. 

Oldcastle, still leading by one, had a chance to put the game to bed in the 57th minute when they were in on goal again but this time Matthew Farrelly made himself big and snuffed out the threat expertly to give Ballinlough a fighting chance in the closing stages, and they took the chance when it came working the ball well up the field and winning a free that Daire Shine sent over with ease in the 60th minute to level the sides. 

From the kickout there was a scrap for possession in the midfield with Ballinlough coming away with the ball. This was the time now for calm heads and making each pass find the intended target until the opportunity presented itself, and Ballinlough did it superbly, working the ball until Tom Shine found himself in space and within shooting range in the 61st minute and although the angle was tight enough, he backed himself to go for it, and go for it he did striking the ball beautifully and sending it over the bar to an eruption of joy from the Ballinlough Faithful.

Despite the scenes of jubilation Ballinlough had to endure three further minutes of play before Referee Peter O’Halloran finally called time on an absorbing and exciting contest, with Ballinlough emerging victors on a scoreline of Ballinlough 0-15 to Oldcastle’s 2-08.

That win ensures we’ll have at least one more game before Christmas when we face the winners of Clann na nGael and Kilbride but for now we’ll just enjoy this win over our neighbours before focusing on the next one! #HontheLough

Ballinlough: M.Farrelly, L.Finnegan, H.Briody, J.Connell, C.Rennicks, D.Caffrey, O.McDermott (0-01), F.Gibney, E.Briody, R.Ryan, S.Tunney, B.Wiseman, T.Shine (0-01), J.Casserly (0-06(1f)), D.Shine (0-06)(0-04f, 1 Ad.Mk))

Subs: K. Óg Lynch(0-01) for B.Wiseman 35’, L.Brunton for F.Gibney 46’

Referee: Peter O’Halloran

 

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