Ballinlough 1-13 Kilmainham 1-16

Ballinlough and Kilmainham made their way to a rain soaked Carnaross but thankfully the conditions underfoot held up well and great credit must be given to the Carnaross club for having the place in tip top shape!

From the start, Kilmainham, backed by a significant breeze, set to enhance their lead, a two point free from play followed up by a point from play, a second two pointer and another pointed free to leave the men in black leading by six after just five minutes.

Ballinlough finally got scoring with a Sean Tunney free in the eighth minute before Kit Óg Lynch fired home following an excellent pass from Lorcan Maguire.

Unfortunately for Ballinlough that score was followed up by a perfect Major for Kilmainham as they walked the ball to the net in the 12th minute to enhance their lead to seven points.

From that score Ballinlough responded well with Daire Shine converting from play before an excellent team goal; Robbie Farrell winning a free deep in his own half before taking a Tap & Go, before the Referee saw the foul and brought the ball 50m forward.

From there Mark McCullen did brilliantly before unleashing Kit Óg Lynch who fired home in the 16th minute.

That score was followed up with a pointed free for Sean Tunney, but Kilmainham hit back with three points from play, a two point free and another point from play to leave them leading commandingly at the break, the scoreboard reading Kilmainham 1-10 to Ballinloughs 1-04.

From the restart Kilmainham looked to push for home but their goal chance was correctly ruled out for a square ball in the 32nd minute.

Kilmainham did manage the first score of the half, but Oisin McDermott was only finding his feet and he let fly a two point free to keep Ballinlough within touching difference.

From that score Daire Shine added another lovely two point free in the 37th minute.

While the lads were working hard, two Kilmainham points were tagged on by the 42nd minute to extend their lead again.

Ballinlough were left to rue too many wide chances, which allowed Kilmainhan to take the high ground and account for another three points with another two pointer added to their haul in the 44th minute.

From the kick out Ballinlough put the pressure on with a two point free for Oisin McDermott, followed up by a Daire Shine free and then another two pointer from McDermott, left just a goal between the sides.

Now while Ballinlough pressed the kickout and tried to push the narrative it was to be too little too late as Kilmainham held onto possession and worked the clock to their favour to ensure they took victory this evening.

That result means we head back to Div.4 and while it’s upsetting to change grades so suddenly again, perhaps we had over achieved last season and with playing six or seven rounds without out county hurlers, it’s easy to make exceptions for the lads tonight, but I’ve no doubt we will come back stronger and better next season in the League….for now it’s onwards and upwards into the Championship we go!!

Ballinlough: A.Gibney, B.Smith, R.Farrell, J.Connell, D.Caffrey, T.Shine, C.Lynch, L.Maguire, O.McDermott (0-06(three 2pt F)), S.Lynch, M.McCullen, D.Shine (0-04(one 2pt F)), K.Óg Lynch (1-01), H.Ryan, S.Tunney (0-02(2f))

Subs: S.McDermott for A.Gibney H/T, D.Galligan for S.Lynch

Referee: Gabriel Patterson

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