Ferns, Ballyhogue share points
IT WAS impossible to pick a winner in this action-packed Amber Springs/Ashdown Park Hotels Intermediate football championship Group B game right from the start, as both Ferns St. Aidan’s and Ballyhogue couldn’t be separated in St. Patrick’s Park on Saturday.
After an evenly-fought first-half where both sides finished level at the break, the second period was full of drama, including penalties, an exhibition of point-taking from opposing marksmen, Ryan Nolan and Noel Roche, and four scores in added time that left players and supporters alike both breathless and hoarse.
It was very much tit-for-tat for the majority of proceedings as Nolan and Roche did most of the scoring for their respective sides, with the latter absolutely excellent from placed balls.
But midway through the second period Nolan gave Ferns a four-point lead when he expertly finished a penalty to the net.
It was a lead that was shortlived however, as minutes later Noel Roche buried a penalty for Ballyhogue in an almost identical fashion, before they were given a huge boost as James Parle charged up the field to find the net and they suddenly found themselves ahead by six in the final quarter.
It looked like Ferns’ luck may have run out but they battled ferociously in the final ten minutes and, thanks to the accuracy of goalkeeper Ivan Meegan, and dazzling corner-forwar Ryan Nolan, they accounted for the next seven scores, three of which came in added time, putting them ahead by one point with 33 minutes played in the half.
It would have been a cruel finish for Ballyhogue as they had arguably, albeit very slightly, played the better football for most of the game.
But as it ended, the fairest result was indeed the draw, as Noel Roche calmly kicked a longrange free between the posts to earn his side third place in the group after one game, while Ferns take top spot after two.
Ferns St. Aidan’s: Ivan Meegan (0-3 frees); Keith Breen, James Tonks, Declan Byrne; Niall Murphy, Pádraig Bolger, Peter Nolan; John Breen, Patrick Breen; Benny Jordan (0-1), James Lawlor (0-1), Derek Thorpe; Christopher O’Connor (0-1), Paul Morris (0-2), Ryan Nolan (1-6, 1-0 pen., 0-1 free). Subs. - Eoin Murphy for J. Breen, Ciarán Roberts for P. Nolan, Chris Turner for Jordan, Jonny Dywer for Thorpe.
Ballyhogue: Myles Roche; Tomás Moriarty, Graham Parker, Colm Parnell; Tony Ryan, James Parle (1-0), Enda Minogue; Syl Byrne, Shane Byrne; Dylan Dalton, Seán Rochford, Shane Doyle (0-1); Dean Doyle (0-1), Eddie Galavan, Noel Roche (1-9, 0-8 frees, 1-0 pen.). Subs. - Conor Byrne for Rochford, Cian Wickham for Dalton, Shane Roche for D. Doyle.
Referee: Justin Heffernan (Blackwater).