Byrne shines as Ballinacor get the better of Dunlavin
BALLINACOR 1-14 DUNLAVIN 0-09 BALLINACOR set out on the trail of the elusive Intermediate championship with a comprehensive eight-point victory over a depleted Dunlavin outfit.
Ger Byrne was their tormentor in chief, helping himself to eight points, and he was well supported in the scoring department by Paddy Byrne and David Carter, whose goal at the death put the gloss on an impressive opening performance by the Glenmalure men.
Dunlavin, reportedly lining out without up to ten of their first team panel through a variety of reasons, could have few complaints as they shot a criminal 13 wides to the victors’ three over the course of the hour.
They also lost corner-back Louis Caplis to a straight red card in injury time as frustration got the better of them.
A perfect evening for championship football saw Dunlavin shooting into the town goal in the first half.
However, it was Ballinacor who were quickest out of the blocks as from the throw in Paddy Byrne collected and a rampaging run through the heart of the Dunlavin defence saw him steady himself before splitting the uprights for the lead score after 13 seconds of play.
Dunlavin started as they were to go on with James Walsh, Eoin Murtagh and Enda Bowes all guilty of hitting poor wides.
It took 10 minutes for Dunlavin to trouble the scoreboard with Bowes opening their account from a free.
On 15 minutes, Ger Byrne got his first of the evening after a foul on midfielder Daniel Dowling to restore the Ballinacor lead.
This led to Dunlavin’s best period of the contest. A fisted effort by Gary Allen was added to by Shane Carty after a delicious swivel fooled the ‘Cors defence.
Another free by Ger Byrne restored parity soon after. From the resulting kickout a ball delivered in quick towards Dunlavin corner-forward saw him pulled down by first half sub Stephen Dowling.
Up stood Carty 50 yards out 15 in from the right touchline to dissect the posts with a tremendous effort.
Veteran playmaker Conor Parsons responded for the Ballinacor men with a galloping run at the Dunlavin defence before splitting the posts. Lively David Carter put last year’s beaten finalists ahead moments later as they got a grip around midfield.
Another point was added after Paddy Byrne drew another free. The score of the half was scored by Ger Byrne on 28 minutes. Parsons delivered a pinpoint accurate pass into the full-forward who used his body to push his marker off to create a yard of space before striking over the black spot for his first from play.
Dunlavin responded with good interplay between Allen and Walsh set Carty clear to drill the ball over. As the match entered first half injury time, Ballinacor keeper Ciaran O’Neill was a hero as he twice thwarted Allen in one on one situations.
From the second of these chances, Dunlavin recycled possession out to Carty who took his side to within one.
That man Ger Byrne struck again from the deadball for Ballinacor before Deegan closed out the first half scoring for Dunlavin with a fisted point to leave the minimum between the teams at the break.
On the resumption, Ballinacor took complete control. 23 seconds in, Paddy Byrne sliced a point over after been set free by midfield partner Daniel Dowling.
Paddy Byrne caught the resulting kick out and was fouled as he delivered inside. Ger Byrne added the free from where the ball landed.
A minute later daylight emerged between the teams as Paddy struck his third of the day after a short free by Ger Byrne set him up.
Paddy Byrne returned the compliment a minute later as he supplied the ball for Ger Byrne to whip a score over and stretch the ‘Cors lead to five.
A free soon after by Ger Byrne put them further clear before Carter got in on the act after Brian Hanlon had done the donkey work.
Eventually, halfway through the half, Eoin Murtagh troubled the scoreboard with a delightful Dunlavin point but they desperately needed a goal to kickstart their challenge.
It almost arrived soon after as Walsh put Allen through but again O’Neill denied the dangerman getting the faintest of touches to divert the ball onto the post and Ballinacor reacted fastest to clear.
Bowes added a free for Dunlavin with five to go but any hope of an unlikely come back was dashed a minute later. Paddy Byrne claimed the kickout, he set marauding wing back James Byrne up the field, who fed Ger Byrne and his delicious offload set Carter through on goal, who side footed beyond Dunlavin keeper Tom McGuirk to close out the scoring.
It got worse for Dunlavin as Louis Caplis was red carded for catching his opponent with a high elbow that was more mistimed than malicious but left referee Nolan with no option. Ballinacor killed time from then on, Conor Parsons getting a black card for a cynical pull back, learning lessons from last years heartbreaking final defeat perhaps.
Dunlavin will be stronger when their missing players return but their wastefulness in front of goal needs to improve.
Ballinacor are moving nicely and will have a big say on the destination of this championship. Carty was terrific for Dunlavin and Ger Byrne was excellent for Ballinacor especially his marksmanship from the dead ball, however, Paddy Byrne was man of the match.
His understanding with Ger was a joy to behold and when the game was in the melting pot he stood tall and claimed some great ball not to mention crucial scores at the start of both halves.
Scorers – Ballinacor: Ger Byrne 0-8 (0-6f), David Carter 1-2, Paddy Byrne 0-3, Conor Parsons 0-1.
Dunlavin: Shane Carty 0-4 (1f), Enda Bowes 0-2 (2f), Eoin Murtagh 0-1, Gary Allen 0-1, James Walsh 0-1.
Ballinacor: Ciaran O’Neill, Danny Byrne, Denis Heffernan, Martin Byrne; James Byrne, Philip Byrne, Chris Murphy; Paddy Byrne, Daniel Dowling; Peter Kennedy, Conor Parsons, David Carter; Jamie Nolan, Ger Byrne, Brian Hanlon. Subs: Stephen Dowling, James Murphy, John Devitt.
Dunlavin: Tom McGuirk; Louis Caplis, Trevor Birchall, Thomas Whelan; James Sinnott, Daniel Dawson, Thomas Kelly; Aaron Phelan, Paul Murtagh; Eoin Murtagh, Enda Bowes, Shane Carty; Gary Allen, James Walsh, Fionn Deegan. Sub: Marty Caplis
Referee: Anthony Nolan (Baltinglass)