Millstreet take all important victory

Millstreet 0-8 Ballinora 0-5

THE two clubs Millstreet and Ballinora were seeking an important Intermediate(A) Football Championship victory when they lined out at Macroom on Saturday evening last.

They both approached the game in an enthusiastic fashion and they had some competent performers through the field but both sides’ efforts at putting scores on the board left much to be desired.

The Duhollow side were the greater culprits in that regard and it appeared over the hour that their squandermania would cost them dearly. They were leading by the narrowest of margins in the 47th minute of the game when Ballinora got on level terms thanks to a superb kick from a 60 meter free by substitute Ben Ahern and this could have given the mid Cork side the momentum to secure a significant victory.

Millstreet produced their most effective period of play at that stage however and they scored three points without reply to clinch victory. Ballinora were the first team to score when Darragh Corkery raised a white flag in the second minute and following same Millstreet produced a 10 minute period of outfield dominance.

Five efforts at points were wide of the uprights however and an attempt at securing a major by James Braxton was foiled by the Ballinora cul báire Joe Conway. The mid Cork side then got an additional boost when Neil Lordan was on target from a free and Millstreet had reason for concern.

The 13th minute eventually saw them open their account when the impressive Darragh Cashman who was at the end of a good movement sent the football between the uprights. A water break followed same and 12 minutes subsequently elapsed without an additional score from either side.

Shane Hickey and Luke O Donovan then exchanged minors before Millstreet finished well as Hickey again and James Linehan raised white flags. They consequently led at interval on a 0-4 to 0-3 scoreline.

Scores were certainly at premium for most of the second moiety as the defensive play by both sides was effective and the first change on the scoreboard was a point from Millstreet full-forward Neil Flahive in the 37th minute and the Duhollow side suffered a set back a minute later.

James Braxton was presented with a black card so his side had to play the following 10 minutes of action with 14 players. Ballinora fought back in the 40th minute when Neil Lordan converted a free and the equaliser from substitute Ben Ahern’s long range free kick was the next item of note.

It proved to be their final score however and the big players in the Millstreet side like Darragh Cashman, Shane Hickey and Mark

Ellis made their presence felt in the remaining period and tilted the balance in their favour.

They scored three points without reply with James Linehan, Padraig Moynihan and Cashman being on target. Millstreet will be happy to have secured their second Intermediate (A) Football County Championship victory but their tally of 16 wides will give them cause for concern and it is a luxury that they can hardly afford again.

MILLSTREET: Mark Donovan, Danny Buckley, Alan Murphy, Ryan Murphy, Michael Murphy, Barry O Flynn, Darragh Cashman (0-2), Shane Hickey (0-2f), Mark Ellis, James Linehan (0-2), Pádraig Moynihan (0-1), James Braxton, Colm O Leary, Niall Flahive (0-1), Darren Kiely Subs: Daniel Buckley for James Braxton, 40

BALLINORA: Joe Conway, Kevin O Regan, Tim Forde, John O Regan, George Forde, James Keohane, Ian Wycherley, James Lordan, Mike Lordan, Luke O Donovan (0-1), Darragh Corkery (0-1), Neil Lordan (0-2f), Alan O Neill, Darragh Homes, Pat Fitton Subs: Ben Ahern (0-1f) for Luke O Donovan, half-time, Alan O’Shea for James Keohane, 54, Colin Lougheed for Darragh Corkery, 57

REFEREE: Eamon Sheedy (Newcestown)