Laragh men land the spoils against Ballinacor

LARAGH 2-10 BALLINACOR 0-11

LARAGH hadn’t far to travel on Friday last in search of league points and the short, scenic drive home will have been made even better for Declan Byrne’s men after a fine display in Glenmalure.

On a beautiful summer evening the Laragh men showed their intent with a goal after just 47 seconds in the picturesque location. Ballinacor’s Philip Byrne dropped a shot for a point short to James Nolan’s arms and four passes later his opposite number Ciaran O’Neill was picking the ball out of the net after Mark Miley’s excellent left footed finish.

A feisty start seen no fewer than five players in referee Kieron Kenny’s notebook after just eight minutes as local pride became very relevant to proceedings. A decent crowd was present to enjoy both the sun and football on show.

A shell-shocked home team couldn’t handle the Laragh men in those early exchanges.

Miley goaled again after a Keith Lawlor pass and Lawlor himself also pointed. Jack Dunne had won a really ‘dirty’ ball around the middle of the park early in the move and these were the type of moments Laragh excelled in all evening, just appearing to want it that bit more than the hosts.

All Ballinacor had to show for the opening quarter was a long range Paddy Byrne point which was quickly cancelled out by a Damien Hanlon 45 at the other end.

Hanlon and David McDonald were dominating the exchanges around the middle and made some fine marks over the hour.

With the score at 2-3 to 0-1 just after the 18th minute, Ballinacor finally found some form.

Points from Conor Parsons, Peter Kennedy, Byrne again and a super point from Brian Hanlon finally brought them to life. They had two goal attempts cleared off the Laragh goal line by Stephen Curley and Craig McCoy as they pressed hard to close the gap their slow start had left them with.

David Carter, who was having a fine game, had a brace of scores in the 24th and 26th minutes but Laragh finished the half as they had started it, on the attack.

John Nolan closed the scoring with a couple of points to leave the score Ballinacor 0-7, Laragh 2-6, as a well-earned break was had by all.

Laragh with the comfort of a five-point cushion soaked up plenty of Ballinacor attacks in the second half and hit them on the break for vital scores to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Their full-forward line of Lawlor, Miley and Dan Power won just about every ball played in to them as they exposed a lack of pace in the Ballinacor last line.

Hanlon kicked a monster free from 50 metres to open the second half scoring in the 36th minute which got the loudest cheer of the night from the Laragh crowd. Ger Byrne got Ballinacor’s only score from play in that second period soon after but their poor shooting was to cost them dear.

Twelve wides over the hour added to seven balls dropping short to the grateful arms of James Nolan left them little hope of pulling off a comeback win.

Laragh only kicked three wides as they made the most of their opportunities.

Ballinacor never really had a good goal chance, David Carter found the side netting when shooting off balance and a Philip Byrne effort nearly crept in under the crossbar but overall Joe Murphy will know there needs to be improvements if they are to be the force they were in 2016.

A Paddy Byrne ‘45 and two Conor Parson frees were the only other scores they got.

A tactic of carrying the ball through the middle time after time paid little dividends as a really good Laragh half-back line forced errors and turnovers on numerous occasions.

Hanlon pointed again from distance and Mark Miley swung over a sweet score to seal a deserved away win.

Given that plenty of players had found their way in to the ref’s book it was almost inevitable that some wouldn’t see the end, both Damien Hanlon and Peter Merrigan departed on second yellows to the midge infested side-line as Laragh closed out the game.

An almost injury free Laragh have two wins on the bounce now and are hitting form at the right moment.

A fine defensive unit made Ballinacor earn every score and Jamie Cullen looked good when introduced here. Midfield was strong and dominant and forwards getting good deliveries from Steve Olohan and John Nolan looked sharp. It’s An Tochar next for them as the ‘derbies’ keep coming.

For Ballinacor only Conor Parsons, Brian Hanlon, Paddy Byrne, David Carter, Jamie Nolan and Chris Murphy showed anything like their true form. They need a win soon and travel to Ballymanus next.

Ballinacor: Ciaran O’Neill, Denis Heffernan, Christopher Kennedy, Martin Byrne; Chris Murphy, James Byrne, Philip Byrne; Danny Dowling, Paddy Byrne (0-3, 1 45); Conor Parsons (0-3, 2f), David Carter (0-2), Peter Kennedy (0-1); Jamie Nolan, Ger Byrne (0-1), Brian Hanlon (0-1). Subs: Ronan Phelan for C Kennedy.

Laragh: James Nolan, Stephen Curley, Peter Merrigan, Ciaran Byrne; Craig McCoy, Gary Cullen, Jack Dunne; Damien Hanlon (0-4, 1 45, 2f), David McDonald, John Nolan (0-2, 1f), Steve Olohan, Aaron Lynham, Keith Lawlor (0-3), Mark Miley (2-1), Dan Power. Subs: Jamie Cullen for Curley, Andrew Kenny for Power, Ross Doonan for Hanlon.

Referee: Kieron Kenny