JFC semi final: First final since '88 for Ballinlough

Ballinlough keeper Senan McDemott clears his lines during the JFC semi final win over St. Vincents at Cortown

Ballinlough 1-03-12 (21) St.Vincents 1-04-07 (18)

Ballinlough and St.Vincents met on Saturday evening in a pristine Cortown who had the place looking immaculate for the occasion. 

Right from the off Ballinlough laid down an early marker with Mark McCullen colliding with St.Vincents talisman Michael McIvor at the throw up and Referee Ciarán Flynn deciding to not only award the free but to also bring the ball forward to just outside the Arc allowing St.Vincents keeper Evan Conner to saunter forward and fire over to give his side a two-point lead.

Ballinlough eased their way into the game with a Daire Shine free in the third minute before some brilliant defending from Ferghal Gibney denied St. Vincent’s at the other end.

A second free for Daire Shine had the sides level before Darren O’Higgins had the Ballinlough men leading with a fisted point in the sixth minute, critics want to discourage this type of score but at times it’s the only option and O’Higgins utilised it to great effect this evening.

A St.Vincents free for Paddy McGill levelled the sides once more but from that point Ballinlough took control of proceedings with another Daire Shine free in the 13th minute just inside the two-point scoring zone but his colleague Mark McCullen was definitely miles outside the zone as he sent over a monster effort from at least 47m in the 15th minute to leave Ballinlough leading by three points.

A Ballinlough free in the 17th minute was worked well between the Shine twins as Daire took it quickly to brother Tom, who soon returned the pass before Daire fired over for the men in red.

With Daire having plenty of scores on the board, Tom was soon to get in on the act and he sent over a classy two point free in the 18th minute, the ball at a tight angle towards the sideline but it proved no issue for the impressive Shine twin as he fired over to put six points between the teams.

Ballinlough extended their lead with a Mark McCullen point a moment later before Harry Ryan added two excellent points from play in quick succession.

A St.Vincents attack in the 28th minute was broken down when Ferghal Gibney intervened, and that interaction epitomized the Ballinlough spirit in the first half as every man worked ferociously and tigerishly as they performed some manic defending to deny St.Vincents any clear chances at scores, the work rate of the Ballinlough players absolutely off the charts!

A point for St.Vincent’s from Conor Harford lowered the deficit but Ballinlough finished the half well with Kit Óg Lynch showing an array of skills as he kept the ball in with a deft flick of his heel, before collecting possession and firing over from an acute angle in the 31st minute.

So when Referee Ciaran Flynn blew the half time whistle, Ballinlough after an outstanding opening 30 minutes, lead by nine on a scoreline of 0-13 to St.Vincents 0-04.

From the restart Ballinlough aimed to pick up where they left off but some early shots were sent wide of the posts.

An excellent catch from Mark McCullen in the middle of the field set Ballinlough on their way for their first score of the half and what a score it was as Tom Shine sent over a superb two pointer from play to extend Ballinloughs lead to 11 points.

A St.Vincents free from Michael McIvor lowered the gap, but Ballinlough were in bullish mood with Daire Shine fisting over in the 38th minute.

A St.Vincents two pointer in the 42nd minute from the aforementioned McIvor gave hope to the men in white, but that hope was short lived following the next Ballinlough attack.

From the kickout the ball was won cleanly before being worked forward to Daire Shine, who collected possession sliding on his knees as he showed great awareness and off loaded at speed to the on rushing Darren O’Higgins.

O’Higgins to his credit fed the ball into Harry Ryan and despite having a bit of work to do, Ryan finished to the net low and hard giving the St.Vincents keeper no chance and extending Ballinloughs lead to 12 points.

Daire Shine followed that score up with a pointed free in the 45th minute and while they didn’t know it at the time, Ballinlough had already kicked their second last score of the game.

From that score, St.Vincents took control of the game, and showed everyone why they were serious contenders for the Junior Football Championship as they added a point from play from Richie O’Sullivan in the 46th minute, before a lovely two pointer from Matthew Tuite from play was added to reduce the deficit back to ten points.

Another point from play left nine between the teams and that gap was reduced even further when St.Vincents men found themselves in on goal in the 52nd minute, with Matthew Tuite making no mistake as his shot beat Senan McDermott to sneak into the corner of the net.

A Daire Shine free in the 54th steadied the Ballinlough ship, but St.Vincents were in rampant mood now and added a two point free from McIvor following a 3-v-3 breach to cut the gap to just five points.

With an injury to a St.Vincents player late on, the play was stopped meaning a bit of time would be added on at the conclusion of this game so St.Vincents knew they were still well in with a shout and they reduced the deficit further with a point from play in the 60th minute to make it a four point game.

Ballinlough had a chance to put the game firmly to bed a minute later when Kit Óg Lynch had a glorious chance being one on one with the keeper but his goal effort blazed wide of the post in the 62nd minute.

Up the other end St.Vincents added another point from play to leave three between the sides with time running out.

To their credit Ballinlough didn’t panic and when they regained possession they worked the ball well with substitute Luke Harte in particular providing an outlet frequently to allow his side eat up abit more time before Referee Ciarán Flynn finally blew the full time whistle, Ballinlough holding on for a much deserved win and a place in the Junior Final for the first time since 1988.

Ballinlough Team: Senan McDermott, Conor Fleming, Ferghal Gibney, Conor Rennicks, Jack Connell, Oisin McDermott, Sean Geraghty, Mark McCullen (0-03(one 2pt), Eoin Briody, Brandon Brunton, Daire Shine (0-07(5f)), Darren O’Higgins (0-01), Harry Ryan (1-02), Tom Shine (0-04(one 2ptF, one 2pt)), Kit Óg Lynch (0-01)

Subs: Luke Harte for Brandon Brunton 43’, Mick Geraghty for Mark McCullen 51’, Benji Smith for Harry Ryan 62’

Referee: Ciarán Flynn