Red FM League continues

Last week we travelled to take on Mayfield in the rescheduled division 5 league game. With a number of players still on the physio’s bed we were giving further opportunities to our fringe players.

We started well with a score in the opening minute from Kieran Duggan after good defensive work from Fionn Herlihy and this was followed up with a point from Diarmuid Allen down the right flank. Mayfield responded well and within a minute the sides were level with 2 quick points from play. We nudged in front again with only over 3 minutes played when Kieran won the puckout and was fouled and Joseph O’Sullivan was able to convert but unfortunately it would be the last time we would lead in the game.

Mayfield got a fantastic longrange point against the wind and got their first from a placed ball when they got inside our defensive to have a shot stopped by Jodie Finn on the line, but the referee pulled it back for a free on the 21. They followed this up with 2 further points from play as they worked the ball well around the pitch and had brilliant support play off the shoulder.

We did get one back from Joseph who got on the end of clearance from Fionn and didn’t even look at the target before striking over. 0-04 to 0-6 after 13 minutes. Mayfield earned a further free after we had won possession to push 3 up and we failed to convert 1 long range free. In the blink of an eye Mayfield had 4 further points on the board as we struggled to deal with their movement to lead by 7.

At the other end we missed another long range free, and things went from bad to worse when they opened us up with a run from the 45 and Fionn unfortunately found himself isolated with 2 on 1 in the fullback line. There was no stopping the shot to the net. Mayfield got another point on the board as we headed for the last 5 minutes of the half. We got a point from a free after Dylan Reidy Price was fouled and we had 2 further wides before Mayfield got a soft free to leave the sides Ballygiblin 0-05 Mayfield 1-13 at half time.

We started the second half brightly with Diarmuid Allen finding himself in front of goal after a long ball was kept in play by Dillon Sheehan. But Diarmuid’s low shot went barely over the bar. Joseph then slotted over from the 45 when he was fouled, and he converted another from our own half after Aaron O’Brien was fouled when trying to clear. Jodie then prevented another Mayfield point from going over the bar, but we failed to clear our lines and a free in was eventually awarded.

We then had a further wide before a free on Dylan saw Joseph’s effort come off the post, we were slowest to react, and the ball was cleared. Mayfield then pushed their lead back out to 10 points with a free. We had a further wide before Aaron O’Brien hit a monster point from our halfback line, but it was cancelled out with another Mayfield free.

As we hit the 15 minute mark Joseph was fouled again after a good clearance from Aaron found Kieran Duggan who was having a good game on the wing. He fed the ball to Joseph, he was again on target a few minutes later with a long range free and he then got another from play after he won the puck out and played the ball to Kieran, who bypassed his man before passing to Diarmuid who then found Joseph again to slot over.

Again, Mayfield responded with a free close in after we should have initially cleared and followed it up with a further from play. We swapped points from frees before Barry Coffey got our final score from play, but Mayfield would return with another from play and then a ball worked up from their defence saw them score their second goal on the 29th minute. We did get one last score from a free to leave the final score Ballygiblin 0-16 Mayfield 2-20.

Team: J Finn, S O’Doherty, F Herlihy, C O’Brien, A O’Brien (0-01), R Donegan, K Bowler, K Roche, B Coffey (0-01), K Duggan (0-01), J O’Sullivan (0-10 8F), D Reidy Price (0-01), D Allen (0-02), D Barry. Subs: A Barry for S O’Doherty A Gubbins for D Allen.

OUTPLAYED BY CASTLEMARTYR

On Sunday morning in windy and misty conditions we took on Castlemartyr at the Mitchelstown pitch. It was a far different affair from the one 12 months previously when it was a ding-dong battle with Ballygiblin coming out on top. On this occasion we were outplayed and outmuscled in all areas as our losing streak continued.

We opened proceedings with a point from a free but would have to wait over 10 minutes for our next score. In the meantime Castlemartyr got 3 fine points from play in as many minutes and added a 4th before getting their opening goal of the game on the 9th minute working the ball through the lines before slotting home.

A few minutes later we did have a goal chance when a long clearance from Aaron O’Brien dropped into the square and we got a flick but it went wide. It would have given us the lifeline we needed but we did get 2 points from play from Dillon Sheehan who got on the end of a long free in. Eoin Flynn got a beauty after good defending and a fine run out of defence saw Aaron find Eoin.

Unfortunately, our 2 points were quickly cancelled out with 2 further Castlemartyr points and things got no better on the 17th minute when they struck for their 2nd goal after Jodie initially made a fine save but couldn’t prevent the rebound been struck home. They followed it up with a point from our puckout.

The score as we headed for the last 10 minutes of the half was Ballygiblin 0-03 Castlemartyr 2-07. The lead was then extended to 12 before we got 2 further points with Killian Roche trying hard and earning a free close in and Adam Gubbins getting a fine point after being initially blocked. It would be Castlemartyr who had the last say of the game with 2 frees converted to leave it 0-05 to 2-11 at half time.

THE POSITIVES

The game was over as a contest, but we still battled away and if you were looking for some positives from the game, we did outscore them in the second half. We swapped points in the opening minutes but bar a point from Eoin Flynn, who came out of a ruck with the ball and slotted over, all of our remaining points were from frees. We did have a goal chance on the 8th minute when Diarmuid Allen struck for goal, but it was stopped by the keeper and ended in a free in. The game finished Ballygiblin 0-14 Castlemartyr 2-19.

So, another 2 defeats and we now sit bottom of the table with 3 matches remaining and have a lot of work to do in the coming weeks to retain our place in the division 5 group, and also to get up to the pace of the games as we look well off tempo at times. Our support play has been poor too in comparison with some of the teams we have played lately with men running into space and making themselves available.

Obviously we have been plagued with injuries and this has hampered us significantly, with Kevin Bowler adding himself to the list after coming off injured on Sunday. The positives are there has been game time for many players including minors, and this can only strengthen the panel going forward. The August bank holiday weekend and opening championship match is still a long way off and we would hope it gives players time to recover and get back on the pitch.

Team: J Finn, K Bowler, F Herlihy, S O’Doherty, B Coffey, R Donegan, A O’Brien, K Roche, E Geary, E Flynn, (0-02) J O’Sullivan (0-10F), D Reidy Price, A Gubbins (0-01), D Sheehan (0-01), D Barry. Subs: A Barry for K Bowler (inj) K Cotter for D R Price, D Allen for A Gubbins, O Hanrahan for E Geary, S Doyle for D Barry.

UPCOMING FIXTURES

Red FM Division 5 league – Thursday, 25th May at 19.30 v Cloughduv in Cloughduv. Friday, 9th June at 19.30 v Midleton in Ballygiblin.

UPCOMING EVENT

Don’t forget our annual Ballygiblin GAA Club Golf Classic will take place at Mitchelstown Golf club on Friday, 26th May. Thanks to everyone who has already supported this fundraiser either by entering a team (3-person team - €150) or sponsoring a green (€100) or a tee box (€50). There is still time to get involved by contacting any of our Golf Committee Brian Molan – 086-8053590, John Hennessy – 086-8211897, Fionn Herlihy – 087-3619768 or Paul Hennessy 086-1630232.