Single point margin breaks Ballygiblin hearts
Mooncoin 0-22 Ballygiblin 1-18
After losing the 2017 All-Ireland JAHC title by a point to Mayfield, Mooncoin made amends on Saturday when they were victorious over Ballygiblin in a thrilling AIB sponsored final in Croke Park. Over the hour there was no denying the winners their victory, but Ballygiblin put up a huge battle, being just a point short in the end.
The winners had the aid of a breeze in the first half. Darragh Flynn opened with an early Ballygiblin point after good play by Dean Barry. John Fitzgerald levelled after just two minutes. Both sides were off target before impressive John Fitzgerald edged the winners ahead after being placed by Ciaran Quilty. In the 5th minute Michael Lewis and Joseph O’Sullivan worked well for Ryan Donegan who pointed. Martin O’Neill, an impressive wing back for Mooncoin, pointed from long range. Further pressure saw Patrick Walsh add a point from a free and from play.
Mooncoin hit a purple patch having four points in a 3 minute spell. Joseph O’Sullivan pointed a free after a foul on Kieran Duggan. A foul on Barry Coffey led to a long range pointed free by O’Sullivan. Darragh Flynn had a good shot saved by Eoin Purcell. Michael Walsh followed with a long range point.
By the 16th minute Patrick Walsh (free) and Adam Croke from a near impossible angle opened up a lead 0-8 to 0-5. Brian O’Gorman and James Mullins made some good clearances. Good play by Mark
Keane led to a Darragh Flynn point after a solo run. Adam Croke came close to a goal but a great save by Christopher Noonan denied the Mooncoin man, as Ballygiblin made a huge recovery. First, Christopher Noonan found Michael Walsh who placed Sean O’Sullivan for a point from near the sideline. By that stage Mooncoin had 4 wides, with Ballygiblin recording 3.
Martin O’Neill was in great form for the winners. Ballygiblin levelled at 0-8 each when Barry Coffey and Michael Walsh combined for Colin English who pointed. In the 29th minute Jim Delahunty and John Fitzgerald combined well for Martin O’Neill who landed a fine point. Ballygiblin got back on terms when Michael Walsh placed Sean O’Sullivan 0-9 each. Sean O’Sullivan came close to a goal with a ‘65 being conceded. Joseph O’Sullivan pointed the ‘65 as Ballygiblin led at half-time 0-10 to 0-9.
It was generally felt at half-time that Ballygiblin were in a great position after coming back so well, being a point ahead and having the stiff breeze for the second half.
However, on the restart Mooncoin hit a purple patch, dominating on the wings. Early points by Ciaran Quilty, Patrick Walsh and Killian Hogan had them 0-12 to 0-10 ahead after only 3 minutes. Ballygiblin replied with a goal by Dean Barry after a long delivery by Mark Keane. Killian Hogan had them deadlocked soon after. Patrick Walsh and Killian Hogan opened up a lead 0-15 to 1-10.
Joseph O’Sullivan then pointed a free. Eoin Purcell denied Kieran Duggan from close range. In the 46th minute Darragh Flynn landed a fine point that levelled matters - 0-15 to 1-12.
Mooncoin again upped their efforts. Killian Hogan placed John Fitzgerald who pointed. They could have goaled but were denied by a massive interception by Fionn Herlihy. Ciaran Quilty was wide off the upright.
The South Kilkenny side moved 2 clear when Martin O’Neill pointed a ‘65. Further pressure saw Patrick Walsh point.
Ballygiblin threw caution to the wind in the final moments. Joseph O’Sullivan pointed a free with John Fitzgerald replying. A foul on Darragh Flynn led to a pointed free by Joseph O’Sullivan. In the dying moments the lead was down to a point when O’Sullivan landed another point. Ballygiblin missed a chance with two minutes remaining. The puckout by Eoin Purcell found Patrick Walsh who was fouled and he pointed the free. Ballygiblin got it back to the minimum 0-20 to 1-16, however they were unable to get on terms again. Adam Croke soloed through and scored a massive point.
Joseph O’Sullivan with a free in injury time cut the lead to a single point. They came close to an equaliser but a sideline cut from midfield was sent over by Martin O’Neill. Deep in injury time Darragh Flynn had a point.
Time ran out however and it was heartbreak for Ballygiblin who were beaten by the narrowest of margin. Over the course of the game the sides were level on 7 occasions. It marked the 12th championship game for Ballygiblin this year and their first defeat.
Scorers - Mooncoin: Patrick Walsh 0-7 (0-4f), Martin O’Neill 0-4 (0-1f. 0-1 ‘65. 0-1 s/l), John Fitzgerald 0-4, Killian Hogan 0-3, Adam Croke 0-2, Ciaran Quilty 0-1, Kevin Crowley 0-1.
Ballygiblin: Joseph O’Sullivan 0-9 (0-8f. 0-1 ‘65), Darragh Flynn 0-4, Dean Barry 1-0, Sean O’Sullivan 0-2, Michel Walsh 0-1, Colin English 0-1, Ryan Donegan 0-1.
Teams - Mooncoin: Eoin Purcell, Aidan Doyle, Cormac Daly, Mark Kearns, Martin O’Neill, Paul Henebery, Jim Delahunty, Martin Gannon, Sean Gannon, Ciaran Quilty, John Fitzgerald, Kevin Crowley, Adam Croke, Patrick Walsh, Killian Hogan. Subs: Sean O’Dwyer for Kevin Crowley.
Ballygiblin: Christopher Noonan, Brian O’Gorman, Fionn Herlihy, James Mullins, Barry Coffey, Mark Keane, Michael Lewis, Ryan Donegan, Darragh Flynn, Joseph O’Sullivan, Colin English, Michael Walsh, Kieran Duggan, Sean O’Sullivan, Dean Barry. Subs: Dillon Sheehan for Kieran Duggan, Aidan Donegan for Dean Barry.
Referee: Brian Keon (Galway).