IFC: Bective hold on at windy Pairc Tailteann
June 12, 2017
Ballivor's Podge Geoghegan with Sean Keating Bective during the Meath IFC game at Pairc Tailteann
Bective 1-12 Ballivor 2-7
Bective had to defend a 7 point lead in the second half against a gale force wind to overcome a gallant Ballivor side in this Intermediate match played in Pairc Tailteann.
The Junior champions started well and with the strong breeze had superior possession for the first 10 minutes but only 1 point on the board. This lead was demolished by a Ballivor goal that was partially blocked but found the top corner of the net. Bective continued to dominate and with good points from Ciaran Breslin and Paul Lyness a goal was added when the Ballivor full back was deemed to have fowled Sean Keating in the square and Marty Mulhall dispatched the penalty. Ballivor worked 2 good points but Bective continued their attacking game and added 4 frees from Paul McCabe and 3 from Marty Mulhall to lead by 1-9 to 1-2 at half time.
In the second half and now playing into the wind Bective struggled to contain Ballivor who showed plenty of desire to win this match. Ballivor steadily reduced the deficit with some fine points and gained parity after a Bective mistake working the ball out of defence gifted the ball to a Ballivor attacker resulting in another goal. Bective brought on Mark O'Brien for the injured Cillian Reilly and moved Paul Mc Cabe back into defence and tried to stem the tide.
Bective had their full back Jack Grant and Ballivor their mid fielder sent off after coming late into an altercation. The eventual winners had no intention of fading out of this game and with the introduction of Brian Cantwell who gained many primary possessions around the middle third and ran at the Ballivor defence. This created openings and combined with hard running from Cathal McConnell Bective won frees within range. Paul McCabe converted 2 and Marty Mulhall added a third from a very difficult angle. Manager Jody Devine also introduced the experienced Ruairi Russell to steady the ship, and a relieved Bective finished ahead by 2 points at the final whistle.
Bective: Ronan Murtagh, Ben Malone, Jack Grant, Cillian Reilly, Dara Maguire, Jarlath Brennan, Colin O'Rourke, Ciaran Reilly, Paul Lyness, Kevin Brennan, Paul McCabe, Ciaran Breslin, , Marty Mulhall, Sean Keating, Cathal Mc Connell. Subs - Mark O'Brien, Brian Cantwell and Ruairi Russell.
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