Kilmainham 1-7, Ballivor 2-12

Kilmainham welcomed intermediate side Ballivor to Kilmainham on Saturday 26th April for round 5 of the Div 3 A league.

Both teams were at the opposite ends of the table. As in previous years matches between Kilmainham and Ballivor are tense and close battles regardless of what grade both teams are in. Both teams were missing a few regulars. Ballivor hit their first point from play after one minute after their number 9 broke a tackle to kick a nice score. Kilmainham responded with half back Johnny Quinlan hitting his now trademark two pointer from distance. Declan Mullen broke a tackle to kick a brilliant point off his left. Kilmainham were playing well as a unit and were very structured in possession, frustrating the visitors. Ballivor hit 3 points of their own, two play and one from a free. Kilmainham refused to drop the heads and Mickey Hoey hit a point. Captain Larry Morgan was having a colossal performance at midfield. His high fielding was a joy to watch. A tight, tough game with little to separate the teams. A 45 from Mickey Newman came back off the post and another tailed wide against a strong wind. Ballivor then hit two, two pointer free’s to lead by four points at the break. Kilmainham were well in this match and will have been disappointed not to have been ahead.   

Half time score: Kilmainham 0-4, Ballivor 0-8.

Ballivor got the first point of the second half. Kilmainham then responded in brilliant fashion. Half forward Dean Peppard was taken down in the Ballivor box as he was lining up to shoot. Mickey Hoey stepped up to dispatch the penalty with a great finish. Game on! Ballivor hit another point from a free. Mickey Hoey hit two free’s as Kilmainham responded. Ballivor were then awarded a penalty. Brendan McKeown stepped up but dragged his effort wide of the left post. The same man had the ball in the Kilmainham net 2 minutes later after his point attempt dropped short and into the Kilmainham net. A big blow for Kilmainham. Ballivor were starting to get on top at midfield. Another point for Ballivor, followed by a second goal by Ballivor’s McKeown after a ball broke kindly for him on the ground pushed the match beyond the reach of Kilmainham. Both teams were reduced to 14 as tempers started to flare. Mickey Newman hit a free to finish our scoring of the match.

A disappointing result for Kilmainham but there are plenty of green shoots with the team playing really as a unit and giving as good as they got against a strong intermediate side. A real tough and very sporting match for both teams that should stand to them both as the year progresses. 

Kilmainham will travel to Dunsany to play last year’s Junior A Champions Dunsany in round 6 of the league on Thursday 8th May at 8pm. Thanks for the great support that we had yesterday. It is much appreciated by the players and the management team.

Best for Kilmainham were: Larry Morgan, Declan Mullen, Johnny Quinlan and Mickey Newman.

Kilmainham: Paddy Hennigan, Stephen Newman, Harry Newman, Padraig Caffrey, Johnny Quinlan (0-2), Kieran Needle, Matthew Mullen, Larry Morgan, Michael Hoey (1-3), Dean Peppard, Andy Arkins, Declan Mullen (0-1), Phily Mahon, Darren King, Mickey Newman (0-1). 

Subs: Jamie O’ Sullivan for Phily Mahon, Terence Daly for Dean Peppard, Jake O’ Rourke.

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