Ballygiblin advance

Ballygiblin 1-19 Kilara Og 3-11

WITH a place in Rebel Og Northern MBHC final at stake against Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels, Ballygiblin and Kilara Og played out a thrilling concluding round game in this league style championship at Ballygiblin with the home side emerging victors by a two point margin.

Over the hour both teams enjoyed their moments. Kilara Og started at a hectic pace. In the second minute Michael Sheehan struck for the games opening goal that helped surge them 1-4 to 0-1 in front by the ninth minute.

Ballygiblin stayed in touch courtesy of a couple of Darragh Flynn points to trail 1-5 to 0-4 by the 13th minute. However it was Kilara Og who had some very good displays by Diarmuid Allen, Ben Carey, Michael Sheehan, Jack Kearney, Leo Coffey, Luke Carey, Conor Twomey and keeper Killian Heggtveit that struck for goals either side of the water break that opened up a commanding lead.

Conor Twomey had their second goal with Conor Twomey, Roan O’Riordan, and Leo Coffey combining well to set up Michael Sheehan for their third goal that moved them 3-5 to 0-4 in front and they looked in a great position of progressing to this year’s final.

The remainder of the half saw Ballygiblin improve greatly. Ryan Donegan and Stephen Kenneally impressed at midfield while Aaron O’Brien at centre back was also a commanding figure for the rest of the game.

Up front Darragh Flynn and Dylan Sheehan also featured strongly. The home side outscored their opponents by six points to one in the run up to the break their points coming by Darragh Flynn (4) Ryan Donegan and Shane O’Brien that closed the margin to 3-6 to 0-10 at the interval.

The second half saw Ballygiblin start the way they finished the opening half as they managed to get back on parity by the 42nd minute at 3-6 to 0-15. In their next attack they hit the front for the first time in the game when a delivery by Stephen Kenneally was gathered by Eoin Flynn who in turn set up his brother Darragh for a well taken goal. Kilara Og tried hard to claw back the lead but the last quarter was very much point for point with Ballygiblin staying in front.

Darragh Flynn (2) Leo Coffey and Michael Sheehan swapped points with Kilara Og coming very close to a fourth goal in the 55th minute when Leo Coffey cut through the Ballygiblin rearguard with his goal bound effort going narrowly over the crossbar for a point 1-18 to 3-9. This was a big let off for Ballygiblin as their backline held firm in the closing moments despite being under severe pressure. Michael Sheehan and Leo Coffey added late points for Kilara Og while Darragh Flynn was also on target for the winners who emerged victors following a thrilling contest by a two point margin.

O Hanrahan, D Harte, S O’Connell, S O’Doherty, J Crotty, A O’Brien, A Barry, R Donegan 0-2, S Kenneally, M Walsh, P Finn, D Sheehan, E Flynn, D Flynn 1-16 (0-9f), S O’Brien 0-1.

C Keane for M Walsh, J Connolly/Murphy for S O’Brien.

OG: K Heggtveit, C Hynes, C Coakley, R Jordan, P Finn, B Carey, S Og Kenneally, D Allen 0-2, L Carey, J Kearney 0-1, R O’Riordan 0-1, R Tobin-Allen, C Twomey 1-1, M Sheehan 2-3 (0-2f), L Coffey 0-3. D Gill for R Tobin-Allen, O Farrell/Carey for P Finn, J Foley for C Twomey (inj),

REFEREE: Michael Sheehan (Liscarroll)