The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Ballymac have answers
COUNTY PJFC GROUP 1 ROUND 2 Firies 2-6 Ballymac 2-11
FIRIES needed to front up after their fourteen-point defeat in the first round to Na Gaeil, and while they did retain some of their shattered pride with this performance, they still had to play second best to a Ballymac side that are growing into quite an accomplished outfit.
Ballymac certainly showed a resolve and belief when Firies asked questions of them, and they ground out a decent victory in the finish.
The conditions were far from ideal at Páirc Eamon, with some driving rain and wind making it very difficult for both sets of players. Firies went into battle without their star forward Donnacha O’Sullivan who was ruled out with a calf injury, and the home side missed the former Kerry minor’s scoring prowess badly. Having said that, it is unlikely that Firies would have won even if they had O’Sullivan, as Ballymac had an answer to any question the they threw at them.
Firies played with the elements in the first half and wing-back Pádraig O’Connor and Ballymac’s full-forward Vinny Horan traded early points. For the next fifteen minutes the game belonged to Firies. A pointed free from William Courtney was followed by an excellent Niall Donohue effort to push the hosts into a 3-1 lead. Ballymac were noticeably struggling in possession and their tendency to take the ball into contact was playing into the strong tackling Firies lads’ hands.
In the 18th minute a strong run and lay off from the influential Donohue saw Mike Daly goal at the second attempt. Ballymac were choking for air at this stage and needed a lifeline.
It came two minutes later when a superb ball from Mikey Hoare released Tomás O Connor, who in turn found Daire Keane ghosting in behind the Firies defence, he made no mistake with his finish. The hard working Keane went on to play a very fine game for the victors.
Daragh Donohue pushed Firies into a three point lead soon afterwards as they still looked the better side. They continued to play the more enterprising football and a long delivery from Jack Sherwood nearly led to a goal as the ball bobbled around the Ballymac goalmouth.
The visitors were resilient however, and the dangerous Tomás O’Connor once again showed great vision to find an un marked Daniel O’Shea who hit a rocket into the top corner of the net. Firies were rattled, and Vinny Horan pointed a free on the stroke of half time to see Ballymac take what seemed an unlikely one point lead, 2-2 to 1-4 at the break.
Ballymac started the second half in flying fashion with points from Horan and Aidan Breen. Firies were still threatening and goalkeeper Brian Lonergan was called upon to make a good finger tip save at the expense of a point from Darragh Donohue.
Ballymac then went into over drive between the 42nd and 51st minutes and slotted over four points on the bounce with O’Regan, Breen(free), and two from attacking full-back Micheal Reidy. With the score at 2-8 to 1-5 and with just five minutes left on the clock, Firies needed a break quickly.
Sherwood and Niall Donohoe took the game by the scruff of the neck and began to drive their side on. A brilliant ball from Stephen Foley saw Pádraig De Brun score a goal, and suddenly we were back to a three point contest.
Foley added a point soon afterwards and the Firies faithful could see light at the end of the tunnel. Ballymac refused to bow however, and a strong finish saw Horan, Breen and O’Regan pop over scores to secure victory. FIRIES: Colm O’Shea, Diarmuid Brosnan, Dan O’Shea, Josh Flynn, Stephen Foley (0-1), Niall Donoghue (0-1), Pádraig O’Connor (0-1), Jack Sherwood, Jake Flynn, James O’Donoghue, William Courtney (0-1f), Diarmuid O’Mahony, Darragh Donoghue (0-2), Padraig De Brun (1 goal), Mike Daly (1-0) Subs: Pat Daly for J O’Donoghue (26), Liam Brosnan for P Daly (inj, 40), Cathal O’Shea for P O’Connor (49), Evan Cosgrave for D O’Mahony (49), Conall Murphy for W Courtney (61)
BALLYMAC: Brian Lonergan, Michael Sweeney, Micheal Reidy (0-2), Josh O’Keeffe, Con Reynolds, Genie Griffin, Luke Sweeney, Daniel O’Shea (1-0), Cian Counihan, Shane O’Reilly, Aidan Breen (0-3, 2f), Daire Keane (1-0), Micheal Hoare, Vinny Horan (0-4, 2f), Tomas O’Connor Subs: Dara O’Regan (0-2) for M Hoare (30), Michael Hoare for S O’Reilly (49), TJ Casey for M Hoare (60)
REFEREE: Denis Sayers (Austin Stacks)