Ballygiblin bow out to impressive Brian Dillons

Brian Dillons 2-20 Ballygiblin 0-16

A STRONG second half performance by Brian Dillons saw them run out worthy winners over Ballygiblin in the County JAHC at Rathcormac on Sunday.

The opening half saw Ballygiblin start at a hectic pace. Mark Keane was a dominant figure at centre back while in attack George Pendle caused many problems on the ‘40.

A period of sustained pressure saw Pendle (4) Cathal O’Mahony and Dylan Reidy-Price reel off points as they seemed in a great position when leading by 0-6 to 0-1 at the end of the first quarter.

As the half went on Brian Dillons who were beaten in last year’s county finals after a replay by St Catherine’s quickly settled with Dara Brosnan thundering into the game.

In the 17th minute John Horgan pointed from a difficult angle before Cian McCarthy soloed through and scored a fine point three minutes later 0-6 to 0-3. Over the next three minutes Brian Dillons forced the Ballygiblin defence to concede three frees that were duly punished by John Horgan that got his side back on parity at 0-6 each.

Exchanges were close for a while with the sides being tied at 0-7 and 0-8 each by the 25th minute. The remainder of the half saw Ballygiblin finish in a flurry. Good work by Brian O’Sullivan led to Michael Walsh scoring a fine point before Brian O’Sullivan got in on the scoring act in the 28th minute 0-10 to 0-8. In injury time a foul on Dylan Reidy-Price resulted in George Pendle converting a free that helped them hold a 0-11 to 0-8 interval lead.

On the changeover Brian Dillons with the aid of the slight breeze came out a much improved side with Cillian Brosnan, Tomas Lawrence, Cian McCarthy, Dara Brosnan, Dara Rodgers and John Horgan excelling.

The Seandún outfit got the first three scores to tie up matters at 0-11 apiece by the 36th minute. Ballygiblin edged in front again courtesy of a George Pendle free, but in truth they found scores hard to come by for the remainder of the game.

John Horgan with a difficult free from out near the sideline had the sides level for the fifth time at 0-12 each. At this stage Brian Dillons were in the ascendancy. Their top marksman John Horgan reeled off the next three points that moved them 0-15 to 0-12 ahead as the game headed into the last quarter.

Ballygiblin regrouped well with George Pendle pointing two frees to leave just a point between the teams by the 49th minute. The turning point in the game was the winners scoring 2-2 in quick succession – the goals by John Horgan and there was no way back for the Avondhu champions as the city side held a 2-17 to 0-14 lead by the 55th minute.

The last five minutes were merely going through the motions. Brian Dillons added three more points before the final whistle by Dara Rodgers (2) and John Horgan while Ballygiblin had a point each by Mark Keane and Dylan Reidy-Price.

In the end there was no denying Brian Dillons their deserved victory.