The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Asdee end Ballyhar’s winning streak
DENNY DIVISION 1A Asdee Rovers 1 Ballyhar Dynamos 1
BALLYHAR Dynamos’ three-match winning sequence came to an end at Craughdarrig Park in Asdee on Sunday morning when they were held to a draw by Asdee Rovers.
While play was scrappy at times it was a game that had a great competitive edge with both sides enjoying periods of dominance over the 90 minutes.
Balyhar will feel it was a game they should have won as they hit the woodwork on three occasions and a few big decisions went against them but credit must go to Asdee as they turned in a very committed display with some of their young players excelling.
Ballyhar started strongly and went close to scoring after 3 minutes when Dillon Carey went on a great run from midfield and from just inside the box he sent a screamer of a shot inches wide.
Three minutes later Asdee went ahead when Joseph Lynch was taken down inside the box by Padraig O’Connor and referee Thomas Sheehy pointed to the spot.
After dusting himself off Lynch drilled the spot kick low to the bottom corner of the net.
Ballyhar went close to equalising five minutes later when a rasper of a shot from Dan O’Shea was pushed over the bar by Asdee keeper Owen Tydings.
Play then moved down the other end with Darragh Keane making a great run from midfield but from close in he fired over the top.
Ballyhar were forced to make a substitution in the 29th minute with Diarmuid O’Mahony replaced the injured Shane O’Donoghue.
Ballyhar were only a lick of paint away from equalising on the half hour mark with a vicious shot from Mike Daly crashed back off the crossbar.
Just before the break Diarmuid O’Neill got on to the end of a Dillon Carey corner kick but his shot was straight at the Asdee keeper.
Both sides made changes for the start of the second half with Tom Pierce coming on for Derise Barry for Asdee while the vastly experienced Anthony McKenna replaced Diarmuid O’Neill for Ballyhar.
Asdee were unlucky not to double their lead early in the second half when John Martin Horgan set up Darragh Keane but his looping shot came back off the crossbar.
They created another chance shortly afterwards but Jonathan Carr’s effort went narrowly wide.
After this Ballyhar began to pile on the pressure and they should have equalised in the 69th minute when Mike Daly latched on to Dillon Carey free kick but he headed wide from eight yards with the goals at his mercy.
However their persistance finally paid off three minutes later when the Asdee defence were caught ball watching and Niall McCarthy sneaked in on the left frank and after making ground rolled the ball to the unmarked sub Diarmuid O’Mahony and he made no mistake from close range.
Ballyhar were up in arms with the referee shortly afterwards when John Martin Horgan seemed to bundle over Padraig O’Connor in the box but the referee said there was not sufficient contact made to merit a peno and play continued.
Asdee had a great chance to regain the lead in the 75th minute when Joe O’Brien got on to a Jonathan Carr free kick but he could not finish from five yards.
Asdee were almost punished for sloppy defending in the 76th minute when Cillian Beasley made a meal of a clearance and MIke Daly pounced and his shot from outside the box came back off the post.
As this stage Ballyhar looked the more likely side to win the game but the Asdee defence held firm and the sides had to settle for a share of the spoils. ASDEE ROVERS: Owen Tydings, Cillian Beasley, John Martin Horgan, Joe O’Brien, Derise Barry (Tom Pierce 46 mins), Rory Mulvihill (Ciaran Dowd 65 mins), Jonathan Carr, Joseph Lynch, Darragh Keane, Eamon Leahy (James O’Brien), Seamus O’Sullivan (Con Carmody 78 mins), BALLYHAR DYNAMOS: Brian O’Sullivan, Padraig O’Connor, Ger Fitzgerald, Dan O’Shea, Adrian Courtney, Shane O’Donoghue (Diarmuid O’Mahony 30 mins) (Kenneth O’Sullivan 75 mins), Niall McCarthy, Dillon Carey, Diarmuid O’Neill, (Anthony McKenna 46 mins), Mike Daly, Padraig O’Mahony. REFEREE: Thomas Sheehy