Laragh squeeze past Ballinacor after a thriller

LARAGH BALLINACOR 3-12 2-14

AS the scoreline might suggest, Laragh and Ballinacor served up a very exciting and enjoyable contest in this Division 2 football league game played in Glenmalure on Saturday evening last.

On a beautiful summer’s evening, a stiff breeze blowing from the Greenane end favoured the Laragh men in the first half.

The home side settled the quicker and had two points on the board from Paddy Byrne and Ger Byrne by the fourth minute.

Strong running midfielders David McDonald and Damien O’Hanlon began to drive Laragh forward and they were ahead by eight minutes with points from centre-back Andrew Kenny, a John Nolan free and another point from David Miley.

Corner forward Dan Power got on the end of a cross in from the sideline to punch the ball past T.J. Carter for Laragh’s first goal.

The visitors were now four points up but the Ballinacor response was immediate. Ger Byrne pointed a free and then scored a great goal to level the game again.

He received an outfield kick placed in front of him, turned his man and planted a great shot past Ciaran Byrne. Laragh got control of the middle third of the field from this stage on and their forwards began to show that they can score if given the chances. John Nolan converted two frees and added another great point from long range.

David Miley added two more and Damien Hanlon finished the scoring for the half when he kicked a great 50-metre free to leave Laragh ahead by six points at the break 1-9 to 1-3.

Ballinacor were now turning over to play with the aid of the fresh breeze but it was Laragh who got the better start. Mark Miley pointed straight from the throw in.

Two minutes later Laragh scored a great team goal. Half forward Liam McEvoy picked up a ball back in his own full back line and began a short passing movement which travelled the length of the field and ended with Damien Hanlon beating T. J. Carter for Laragh’s second goal. When Liam McEvoy added another point after six minutes it left Laragh eleven points ahead. Ballinacor now had a mountain to climb but maybe if you live in Glenmalure that is second nature.

Centre back James Byrne led the fight back with a point followed by another from Brian Hanlon.

Like Laragh in the first half, Ballinacor took over in the middle third of the field and the flow of play was towards the Laragh goal. Danny Dowling and Paddy Byrne were controlling play and Ballinacor were holding the ball until they created scoring chances.

The half backs had pushed forward and Laragh were finding it hard to progress up-field.

The danger for the home side was the big space left in front of their last lone of defence which could be exploited by Laragh when they did break out of defence.

However, the Ballinacor men needed the scores and had to push forward. Ronan Phelan, Paddy Byrne with two, James Byrne with two, Davy Carter and Ger Byrne from a free, scored some great points.

In a rare break out of defence, Mark Miley scored a goal for Laragh to give them a little breathing space.

John Nolan added a point to leave six points between the sides with nine minutes left.

However, this was Laragh’s final score and Ballinacor were not finished yet.

When Ger Byrne got his fist to a ball to nudge it past Ciaran Byrne for a goal with five minutes to go, the scene was set for a grandstand finish.

Paddy Byrne added two more points but, try as they might; the home side were unable to get the point they needed and probably deserved a draw.

However, time ran out. For the neutral observer, this game augers well for the upcoming Intermediate Football Championship. Both these teams would have aspirations to be involved in the business end of that competition.

Scorers - Laragh: Andrew Kenny 0-1, John Nolan 0-5, David Miley 0-3, Dan Power 1-0, Damien O’Hanlon 1-1, Mark Miley 1-1, Liam McEvoy 0-1.

Ballinacor: Paddy Byrne 0-5, Ger Byrne 2-3, James Byrne 0-3, Brian Hanlon 0-1, Ronan Phelan 0-1, Davy Carter 0-1. Subs; Aaron Lynham, Garry Cullen.

Ciaran Byrne; Craig McCoy, Brendan Ward, Ian Merrigan; James Cullen, Andrew Kenny, Cian Murphy; David McDonald, Damien O’Hanlon; Liam McEvoy, Mark Miley, David Miley; Ross Doone, John Nolan, Dan Power.

T.J. Carter; John Paul Byrne, Danny Byrne, Stephen Dowling; Calum Roden, James Byrne, Martin Byrne; Paddy Byrne, Danny Dowling; Davy Carter, Ronan Phelan, Peter Kennedy; Brian Hanlon, James Murphy, Ger Byrne. Sub: Chris Kennedy.

Anthony Nolan (Baltinglass)