JACKSON TO THE RESCUE
ST PATRICK’S 0-10 BALTINGLASS 0-10 LAST year’s senior finalists St Pat’s and Baltinglass played out a draw in this Renault SFC Group C clash in Joule Park, Aughrim on Sunday afternoon. It was a tight and tense affair with scores hard to come by and both defences on top. It was a great tussle though with neither side giving up an inch to the opponents and there was never more than two points between the sides throughout the sixty minutes.
Pat’s may feel they just about shaded general play and they finished the stronger despite being down to 14 men for the last 15 minutes as Baltinglass needed a late Mark Jackson free to salvage a draw. Having said that though it was hard to say that one team was more deserving of the win and Baltinglass created the only major goal chance of the match as Kevin Murphy rattled the crossbar with his effort at the start of the second half.
It was clear from early on that neither side was going to completely commit to attack and that scores would be hard won. Both teams deployed a sweeper and funnelled men back behind the ball as the ferocity of some of the hits and tackling was off the scale.
John McGrath opened Baltinglass’ account from a free before Jordan Petticrew landed a nice point off his left from the right side. Mark Jackson then attempted a huge free from almost the 65, about 10 yards to the left which landed about 5 yards short but he can certainly thump a football.
Baltinglass opened up a 2 point lead through Jason Kennedy and McGrath from play after the Baltinglass defence had tigerishly turned over the ball with Pat’s on the attack.
Pat’s had half a claim for a penalty waved away as Shane Murley was tackled in the box but they found their scoring groove and hit four points in a row to reverse the two point deficit over to Baltinglass. In the meantime the heavens opened in Aughrim as people scrambled to the covered stand, and handling the football became even more precarious.
Thomas Kelly was having a fine afternoon at corner forward for Pat’s as he scored 3 of these points from play. His ability to collect the ball, turn and shoot without taking any steps was a real nuisance for Baltinglass all afternoon.
The intensity was huge and Baltinglass supporters cheered loudly as Billy Cullen landed a very hard but fair shoulder on Podge McWalter before Kevin Murphy got them an important score just before half time to leave Pat’s leading by the minimum, 5 points to 4.
Baltinglass suffered a blow though as John McGrath, who was having a good game, was forced off just before half time with a hamstring injury and wouldn’t reappear for the second half. The equally experienced Seán O’Brien replaced him at full forward.
Baltinglass came out the sharpest at the start of the second half as the tackles and hits kept raining in. Brian Nolan and John Murray won great balls at the back as their tackling at the back set Balto on their way to the first three scores of the second half.
Mark Jackson landed a free from 30 yards before the big goal chance of the match arrived.
Midfielder Conor Keogh played a great ball in over the top before the ball was worked across to fellow midfielder Kevin Murray. He unleashed a rasper which had Colm Byrne beaten all ends up only to rattle the crossbar. Balto retained the ball though and Jason Kennedy ensured they wouldn’t leave the attack empty handed as he got a point.
Pat’s responded and levelled with another two points from Kelly, the second of which came after keeper Jackson had been dispossessed after he momentarily thought he was an outfield player.
Podge McWalter then exerted sweet revenge as he hit Billy Cullen with a brilliant tackle as the work rate and tackling on both sides remained high.
Baltinglass regained their two point advantage which included a score from substitute Ian Sheerin with his first touch before what seemed like an important moment arrived in the 47th minute as Eamon Wolfe was sent off for a second yellow.
In a low scoring game, with time running out and two points down it seemed like a big ask of Pat’s but to their credit they showed great heart and actually took the game to Baltinglass.
Thomas Kelly kicked two frees, the second after great work from Conor O’Brien to keep the ball alive, before Conor French delivered a long ball inside to Kelly who won a free on the 14 well out to the right on the dressing room side. Jordan Petticrew stepped up and his left foot guided Pat’s to a one point lead heading into injury time.
Baltinglass hadn’t scored for 15 minutes and needed one badly as time ticked away. Chris Heaslip stepped up and his great run in from the left won his side a free on the 14, about 10 yards to the left of centre. Mark Jackson made the long trek up knowing this could be the last chance. He placed it down, stepped back three paces before coming forward and just about squeezing the ball inches inside the right upright to earn Baltinglass a draw as referee Kieran Kenny blew the whistle from the kick out.
It may not have been a game for the purists but it was some battle and I’m sure there was lots of sore bodies after the match. Neither side will be delighted with a point and it remains to be seen whether it’s a point lost or gained in a group which also contains Rathnew and Coolkenno.
Scorers - Baltinglass: Mark Jackson 0-3 (3f), Jason Kennedy 0-2, John McGrath 0-2 (1f), Kevin Murphy 0-1, Adam McHugh 0-1, Ian Sheerin 0-1.
St Pat’s: Thomas Kelly 0-7 (2f), Jordan Petticrew 0-3 (1f).
Baltinglass: Mark Jackson, Brian Nolan, John Murray, Aaron Barrett, Patrick Burke, Billy Cullen, Tom Burke, Kevin Murphy, Conor Keogh, Henry Synnott, Jason Kennedy, Chris Heaslip, Stephen Heaslip, John McGrath, Adam McCugh. Subs: Seán O’Brien for J McGrath, Ian Sheerin for S Heaslip, Peter Dowling for C Keogh, Mickey English for H Synnott, Alan Nolan for B Nolan, Cian Lee for T Burke.
St Pat’s: Colm Byrne, Wayne Doyle, Jem Kavanagh, Ciarán Doyle, John Crowe, Podge McWalter, Niall Donnelly, Dean Healy, Shane Murley, Johnathon Delahunt, Stephen Duffy, Conor French, Eamon Wolfe, Jordan Petticrew, Thomas Kelly. Subs: Conor O’Brien for J Delahunt, Paul O’Brien for S Duffy.
Referee: Kieron Kenny (Tinahely)