Late rallly sees Ballinacor survive as Ashford fall

BALLINACOR ASHFORD 2-13 1-14

TWO clubs who have found the going tough in the Darcy Sand Intermediate Football Championship campaign found themselves battling for survival in Pearse’s Park, Arklow, on Sunday morning last.

In the end it was a stunning rally in the second half that propelled Ballinacor to safety while condemning a brave Ashford to Junior ‘A’ football for 2019.

Ballinacor showed they were well up for the occasion and were given boost when James Murphy slotted home the opening score with a goal after four minutes.

Ashford took this blow on the chin and went in search of an instand recovery and were rewarded when Cormac Doyle brought the sides level with a well-taken goal after six minutes.

The men in the black and amber moved up a gear which saw they dominate in most sectors of the field as they turned their dominance into scores with five points in row through Brian Coen (3, two frees), while Cormac Doyle and Brendan Manning added a point each.

A brief rally from the winners saw Ger Byrne reduce the deficit from play to leave the score reading 1-5 to 1-1 after 20 minutes.

Ashford made full use of the strong breeze and continued to force the game to their opponents which saw they add four more points from top marksman Brien Coen (two frees) to give Ashford a commanding lead of 1-9 to 1-1.

Attacking half-back Thomas Kearns showed his ability with two excellent points to increase the lead while Ballinacor were denied a certain goal thanks to a brilliant save from Paul Conyard in the Ashford goal.

A brief rally by Ballinacor saw Conor Parsons, David Carter and Ger Byrne add a point each, all from play, while one last effort from Ashford before the break saw Trevor Conyard split the winners defence to close the first half scoring with an excellent point which left the Ashford side with a comfortable lead of 1-12 to 1- 4.

The big talking point around the grounds had Ashford done enough in the opening half and only time would tell.

The men from Glenmalure set about reducing the deficit and Christopher Kennedy got the ball rolling with a point from play, while Conor Parsons showed his ability with a point from a free following a foul on Paddy Byrne while the challengers suffered a blow when they lost their centre back following a foul on the Ballacor midfielder and Conor Parsons reduced the deficit even further to leave it 1-12 to 1-7.

The usually reliable Brian Coen recorded two wides in row and following the kickout Ballinacor won possession and following a long ball from Conor Parsons a mix up in the Ashford defence proved costly as Ballinacor got in for a goal to leave two points between the sides at 1-12 to 2-7 and all to play for.

Ace free-taker Brian Coen and Conor Parsons exchanged a wide each before Coen added a point from a free to give his side a threepoint lead at 1-13 to 2-7 midway through the second half.

Two good points from Ger Byrne and and another from Paddy Byrne brought the sides level as Ballinacor went up through the gears.

Brian Coen pointed a free which proved to be Ashford’s last score as Ballinacor put the boot down and came with a late flourish with three points on the trot through Conor Parsons (two, one free)and another from great servant Paddy Byrne who split the defence to give the winners a sweet victory in what was a keenly contested game.

Scorers – Ballinacor: Conor Parsons 1-6 (4f), James Murphy 1-0, Ger Byrne 0-4, David Carter 0-2, Paddy Byrne 0-1.

Ashford: Cormac Doyle 1-1, Brian Coen 0-8 (5f), Thomas Kearns 0-2, Trevor Conyard 0-1, Brian Shannon 0-1, Brendan Manning 0-1.

Ballinacor: Ciaran O’Neill; John Devitt, Christopher Kennedy, Stephen Dowling; Michael Dowling, Calum Roden, James Byrne; Paddy Byrne, Daniel Dowling; David Carter, Conor Parsons, Jamie Nolan; Brain Hanlon, James Murphy, Ger Byrne.

Ashford: Paul Conyard; Cian Staunton, Daniel Kavanagh, Mick Taylor; Ross Quinn, Robert Clarkson, Thomas Kearns; Joey Doyle, David Dowling; Brian Shannon, Brendan Manning, Trevor Conyard; Brian Coen, Carl Connolly, Cormac Doyle. Subs: Rian Dwyer, Mick Traynor.

Referee: Johnny O’Brien (Newcastle)