IFC relegation play-off: Ballivor withstand late Drums rally to secure status

Brendan McKeon fires over for Ballivor despite the best efforts of Drumbaragh's Evan Demange during the IFC relegation play-off at Martry

Ballivor 2-13 Drumbaragh 1-14

Ballivor secured their place in the Meath Intermediate Football Championship for 2027 with this two-point win over Drumbaragh at Martry.

After a slow start, Liam Ward got the scoreboard working for Drumbaragh. The next seven minutes saw three brilliant two-pointers, with Jamie Kavanagh and Nicky Potterton on target for Ballivor while Hughie Corcoran opened his account with a glorious effort.

Half-back Conor Lynch put the Drums in front with a goal and the same player was on hand minutes later to raise a white flag. Corcoran kicked his second two-pointer and Rob Wall’s men were in control. The outstanding Brendan McKeon left a goal in it at the break, 1-6 to 0-6, with the last point of the half.

Ballivor dominated the opening 20 minutes of the second half. McKeon, Conal Diggins and a two-pointer from goalkeeper Thomas Raleigh had the game all square at 1-7 to 0-10.

William Carry and Jake Madden kept Drumbaragh in front by the minimum, but 2-1 in the space of five minutes gave Ballivor control. Potterton began that mini scoring spree when he blasted to the Drumbaragh net from a tight angle. Midfielder Gary Sherrock found himself in plenty of space and pointed before Edward Dunne fired home their second goal to open up a six-point lead.

Drumbaragh refused to surrender and Hughie Corcoran came to the fore in the final eight minutes. The former Meath minor and U20 star kicked five unanswered points, three singles and a two-pointer, to leave the minimum between the teams.

A draw looked on the cards, but Potterton had the last say as Ballivor held on for a two-point win.

Ballivor scorers: Nicky Potterton 1-3, Brendan McKeon 0-4, Edward Dunne 1-0, Thomas Raleigh 0-2, Jamie Kavanagh 0-2, Gary Sherrock 0-1, Conal Diggins 0-1.

Drumbaragh scorers: Hughie Corcoran 0-9, Conor Lynch 1-1, Jake Madden 0-2, Liam Ward 0-1, William Carry 0-1.

Referee: Bernard Heaney.