Ballinlough 3-09 St.Marys 2-07

Before the game was even thrown in at Dunganny, Ballinlough were plunged into turmoil when it was discovered we had no balls. But thanks to a very generous donation from Donaghmore/Ashbourne who were there to compete in their own final,  our lads were able to get a proper warm up completed before throw-in.

The game commenced in a pristine Dunganny, and despite the cold it was something of a miracle there was no rain or wind to speak off in the Meath Centre of Excellence.

After a couple of early wides Ballinlough opened the scoring with a point from Tom Shine in the fifth minute before St.Marys hit back with a point of their own four minutes later.

In a half with plenty of movement up and down the field but not much scoring St.Marys almost struck for goal in the 11th minute only to be denied by a great block from Alan Gibney, the former net-minder still remembering his skill set, and then our actual Goal-Keeper Mattie Farrelly denied a certain point for St.Marys when he clawed the ball down from going across the bar in the 15th minute.

A St.Marys point from play in the 16th minute edged them in front before Tom Shine hit back four minutes later to restore parity.

Indeed Ballinlough should have taken the lead thereafter as the Shine twins combined to release Eoin Briody but his goal effort never really troubled the keeper in the 21st minute.

From that point St.Marys took the game by the scruff of the neck pointing in the 23rd minute, before hitting two goals in as many minutes following some great counter attacking football, to set themselves up nicely at half time.

So when Referee Frank Scully called time Ballinlough trailed by eight on a score line of 0-02 to St.Marys 2-04.

From the restart Ballinlough attacked with intent as Kit Óg Lynch pointed in the 34th minute, but St.Marys were still flying high and added a point of their own a moment later.

Good work from Brandon Brunton set Tom Shine up for his third point of the evening and again Ballinlough should have found the net moments later as Daire Shine played a lovely ball over to Brandon Brunton but the young man got caught in two minds to catch or palm the ball giving the St.Marys keeper just enough time to reset himself and  thwart the danger.

A St.Marys point in the 43rd minute kept eight points in it but Ballinlough were playing better football now and another excellent goal chance for Daire Shine went abegging as his shot skimmed the outside of the post in the 44th minute.

It was only a matter of time before the Lough finally breached the St.Marys net though and they did so with Kit Óg Lynch finally getting the goal for the men in red.

That score rejuvenated Ballinlough hearts and minds and they were to strike for goal again three minutes later, Darren O’Higgins with a fine individual effort to raise the green flag.

Credit to St.Marys they responded with a point in the 49th minute but it was all Ballinlough now as they grabbed their third goal to level the sides in the 51st minute, Daire Shine with was probably the most terrible free kick he’s ever kicked but with the ball dropping into the danger zone Darren O’Higgins was on hand to pounce and get the goal.

Ballinlough had the ball in the net again seconds later but unfortunately the fist-passed goal was outlawed in 1984 and the goal correctly didn’t stand.

They did take the next score however to put their noses in front, after some very patient build up play Oisin McDermott pointing in the 54th minute.

With the game still in the melting pot it was time for leaders and characters to emerge and earlier I spoke of a lack of Ballinlough balls, but Daire Shine showed nerves of steel to hit three points without reply between the 57th and 60th minute to give Ballinlough an unbelievable four point lead.

With over four minutes of injury time added on, there was time for Minor star Shane Lynch to add his name to the scoresheet with a well taken score off his left boot and shortly after that score Referee Frank Scully called for the ball, Ballinlough completing a thirteen point swing to win the game by five points on a score line of 3-09 to St.Marys 2-07.

That win caps a remarkable year at underage level for the club with titles won at U-15, U-17 and now U-19 and one can only hope with so much young talent at our disposal it is only a matter of time before underage success transforms itself into success at adult level in the near future.

Ballinlough: M.Farrelly, C.Lynch, J.Connell, F.McDonnell, J.McCullen, E.Briody, A.Gibney, O.McDermott (0-01), D.Shine (0-03), R.Smith, K.Óg Lynch (1-01), S.Lynch (0-01), B.Brunton, D.O’Higgins (2-00), T.Shine (0-03)

Subs: S.Rooney for R.Smith 57’

Referee: Frank Scully

Tweet

Most Read Stories