Ballyhaise 0-12
Kildalton 0-7

A good start is half the battle and this was the case on a cold Wednesday Night in Walsh Island as Ballyhaise Agricultural College won the All-Ireland Championship for the ACC Cup for the second year in a row.

With possession stakes fairly equal 4 early points gave Ballyhaise a great start, three David White frees and a well struck Darren Hughes point from play as Kildalton struggled with the lively Barry Reilly and Paul McCarron. Kildalton will rue some very poor wide's including a couple of frees but the Ballyhaise defence must take some credit as tenacious tackling and some great defending had the Southern team running up blind alley's and shooting from awkward angles.

Kildaton did manage two points on 10 and 12 minutes but with Hughes in dominant form Ballyhaise pushed on and points from McCarron, Ronan Breslin a well stuck effort after good build up play and another point from Hughes had it 0-7 to 0-2 by the 25th minute.

A flurry of late scores left the half time score 0-9 to 0-4 as a Barry Reilly free and a point from Sean Lynch cancelled out two Kildalton scores from play as David McEananey in the Ballyhaise goals did really well to push a Kildalton pile driver up and over the bar in first half injury time.

Kildalton where a different team in the second half and signalled their intent from the off with a pointed 45 and a well struck free kick. Kildalton where well on top and again some disappointing wide's where their down fall and they received another blow as a straight red was issued to their No.15 on 48 minutes.

As can happen this seemed to give the impetus to the South Leinster lads and another point had the margin down to two as again McEananey pulled off a fine save to ensure Ballyhaise kept ahead as their full back line well marshalled by Paddy Markey and aided by Paul Flynn and David O'Halloran held strong despite constant pressure.

A good finish is also vital and it was Ballyhaise who pushed on as Sean Lynch who had been used as an extra defender in the second half was switched back to the forwards. This proved a wise one as Hughes got to grips with the midfield area and Reilly got more into the game. Two Reilly frees on 25 and 27 minutes eased the pressure and another Reilly point in injury time sealed the game as Ballyhaise managed to increase their wide tally as the game wound down.

Captain Darren Hughes was the best player on the pitch and he got great support from Paddy Markey, Paul Flynn, Thomas McCann, Barry Reilly and Ronan McGowan in a solid team display.

Ballyhaise - David McEananey (Corduff, Monaghan), David O'Halloran (Drumconrath, Meath), Paul Flynn (Clann Mhuire, Dublin), Paddy Markey (Drumhowan, Monaghan); Breen Smith (Kilinkere, Cavan), Pat Carolan (Knockbride, Cavan), Thomas McCann (Cooley Kickhams, Louth); Craig Lanauze (Latton, Monaghan), Darren Hughes 0-2 (Scotstown, Monaghan); Barry Reilly 0-4 (2 frees) (Kingscourt Stars Cavan), Ronan McGowan (St Barrys Roscommon), Ronan Breslin 0-1 (St Ultans Meath); Sean Lynch 0-1 (Moynalty Meath), David White 0-3 (frees) (Clann Mhuire Dublin) Paul McCarron 0-1 (Emyvale Monaghan). Subs; Dean Mooney (Drumhowan Monaghan) for Breslin, Cathal McCabe (Rathkenny Meath) For Lanauze, James Heaney (Simonstown Gaels, Meath) for McCarron, Eammon McEvoy (Ballinagh Cavan) for White, Tommy Keenan (Cooley Kickhams, Louth),Jack Woods (St Colmcilles, Meath) Tweet

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