Ballinlough 3-16 Ballinabrackey 1-10

It takes a hardy soul to make the trek to Ballinabrackey for a Sunday morning throw in and Ballinlough travelled with just about the bare minimum for this final round game of the Division 7 League, with a place in the final all but sealed.

The visitors had the dream start when in the second minute Ballinlough were awarded a free that was taken quickly by Louis Finnegan as he saw Brandon Brunton in plenty of space, and Brunton made no mistake as he bore down on goal and finished to the net from close range. That score was followed up by a fine solo effort from Jack Smith before the home side opened their account with a point from play in the ninth minute.

Great work from Jamie Casserly set up Louis Finnegan for his first point of the morning in the 11th minute before further points were traded, Jack Smith accurate again for Ballinlough on the seventeen minute mark.

The next score for Ballinlough came from a superb pass by Mark McCullen into Peader Byrne who had drifted forward unseen in the  21st minute, and after collecting possession he twisted and turned to avoid the Keepers clutches to tip the ball to the net and boost Ballinlough further.

The veteran attacker was to turn provider soon after as he set Ciaran Ryan up for a tidy point in the 22nd minute before Ballinabrackey finally got some relief with a point from play in the 25th minute.

That reprieve was to be short lived however as from the kick-out, Alan Gibney’s pin-point pass found Mark McCullen, and the Assist King let fly an exquisite pass to Peader Byrne, who turned and shot first time rattling the net with a powerful effort to give Ballinlough a ten point lead.

Another lovely score for Ciaran Ryan in the 27th minute extended the lead and while Ballinabrackey clawed back a point a moment later, the last score of the half went to the man who kicked off proceedings, as Brandon Brunton tipped over a free in the 30th minute.

So when Referee Declan Leech blew the half time whistle Ballinlough led on a scoreline of 3-06 to Ballinabrackeys 0-04.

From the restart Ballinlough started brightly, Peader Byrne adding two points to match his two goals from the first half before Ballinabrackey hit a free of their own in the 35th minute.

A Ballinlough point from play for Jamie Casserly kept Ballinloughs lead healthy, but the home side finally had a purple patch themselves when they struck for an excellent goal in the 37th minute. That score was followed up with a pointed free and two points from play by the 42nd minute to leave their score looking much more respectable.

Jack Smith kept Ballinlough ticking over with his third point of the game before another Ballinabrackey free in the 46th minute kept them in it.

Indeed the home side could have closed the gap further, only for some fine defending with Eoghan McCabe intercepting brilliantly to take the ball away from danger.

Ballinlough weathered that Ballinabrackey storm reasonably well and started scoring again themselves in the 49th minute, Jamie Casserly firing over before two points for Louis Finnegan, the second of which coming from excellent work by the returning Hugh Briody.

Speaking of making returns, the next Ballinlough score received the greatest roar of approval from all present, as almost four years to the day, Jonnie Reilly made his return between the white lines and capped it off with a super point from play in the 52nd minute.

As everyone knows Jonnie hasn’t had the easiest of times over the past few years but the work he has put in and the commitment he has shown, firstly to take on managing the team and stay involved, but then to also mark his return to adult football, a day many of us weren’t sure would ever happen, but that’s the character of the man and we were absolutely thrilled to see him put his nerves to one side, come off the bench today and add a fine point for his beloved Ballinlough.

That inspirational score had everyone motivated and Mark Tynan got his first adult point from play following a fine solo effort in the 59th minute.

Ballinabrackey concluded their scoring with a point from play in the 60th minute, but the morning belonged to Ballinlough with Ciaran Ryan added his third point in the 61st minute.

So when Referee Declan Leech blew the full time whistle Ballinlough took the much deserved win on a scoreline of 3-16 to Ballinabrackeys 1-10.

That win secures top spot in the table and a place in the Division 7 Final where we will face off against near neighbours Oldcastle which is sure to produce a cracker !!

Ballinlough: A.Gibney, E.McCabe, H.Briody, B.Jordan, C.Rennicks, C.Mallen, N.McDonnell, M.McCullen, L.Finnegan (0-03), J.Casserly (0-02), P.Byrne (2-02(1f)), B.Brunton (1-01(1f)), C.Ryan (0-03), J.Smith (0-03), M.Tynan (0-01)

Subs: J.Reilly (0-01) for J.Smith 46’

Referee: Declan Leech

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