Ballinlough 1-13 Syddan 2-11

Ballinlough and Syddan met on a beautiful Saturday afternoon for Round 5 of the Division 3 League, and while all games this weekend were pausing before throw in to remember Pope Francis, the players in Syddan this evening were remembering two Gaels much closer to home, namely Tom Duff and Tom Lynch, two club legends in their own right.

Ballinlough opened the scoring with a point from Sean Tunney in the opening minute before Syddan leveled things up with a free kick. Two pointed frees from the boot of Kit Óg Lynch restored Ballinloughs lead in the fifth minute and they should have being further ahead only to spurn a glorious goal chance, Harry Ryan somehow failing to connect with the ball when in front of goal and the chance was gone.

Kit Óg Lynch made up for that missed chance after great work from Conor Fleming marauding forward before laying off to Lynch, and he fired over an excellent two point score in the seventh minute to extend Ballinloughs lead to four points.

Syddan hit back with a point from play moments later but Ballinlough were left to rue missed chances as shots were dropped short into the keepers hands on numerous occasions allowing Syddan to edge closer on the scoreboard with a point from play in the 17th minute.

A superb bit of fielding from Tommy McCullen, who was excellent upon his return to football, in the middle of the park led to Ballinloughs next score, as he fed the ball forward to Jamie Casserly, and whilst he was being fouled, the young man put his head down and powered past the tackle of his man before rifling the net in the 18th minute to put Ballinlough back into a more commanding lead.

That score was followed up by an exquisite two point free off the turf from Conor Fleming in the 24th minute, but Syddan finished the half strong hitting two points before the break. So when Referee Paddy Clarke blew the half time whistle the scoreboard read Ballinlough 1-07 to Syddans 0-05.

From the restart Ballinlough re-opened the scoring with Kit Óg Lynch firing over a free following a driving run from Harry Ryan before Syddan hit back with a point of their own a moment later.

They followed that up with a point from play in the 41st minute but Brandon Brunton added a point for Ballinlough to keep their five point lead intact.

A Syddan point from play was cancelled out when Lorcan Maguire played an excellent ball into Kit Óg Lynch who did well to hold onto possession before shipping a hefty tackle, but with the advanced mark called, Kit Óg tapped over in the 44th minute.

The next score would have caused much frustration on the Ballinlough sideline as a free was conceded just outside the 20m line, and while the rearguard were caught napping the Syddan attacker took a quick Tap & Go, before the ball was worked to the back of the net in the 45th minute.

That score spurred on the home side and they added a second goal moments later, turning a five point deficit into a one point lead in the 47th minute.

Syddan left two points between the sides by the 50th minute with a pointed free, before Jack Connell got Ballinlough scoring again with a fine point from play in the 52nd minute, the visitors first score in almost ten minutes.

Syddan were more confident in their abilities now though and added a point from play to restore their two point lead, but Ballinlough kept fighting back and were rewarded when Charlie Lynch sauntered forward and split the posts with a lovely point from play, it was Charlie’s first adult score for the club and I know one little man in Heaven who’s smile grew a whole lot wider as that ball sailed over the bar in the 55th minute.

Ballinlough had the opportunity to level the sides a few moments later when Syddan were guilty of breaching the 3v3 rule with their man coming across the line to gather possession, and Lorcan Maguire must get the assist for ensuring Referee Paddy Clarke was aware of the infringement!! With the ball brought up to the 13m line Kit Óg Lynch tipped over and the sides were level with 59 minutes played.

Unfortunately for Ballinlough the late concession of two frees allowed Syddan the opportunity to win it, and while they missed the one from the left side, the right one went over and the home side led by one in the 61st minute.

Ballinlough did have a chance to take something from this game but as the ball was worked forward and towards the opposition goals, a wayward pass at the death resulted in Syddan clearing their lines and Referee Paddy Clarke blowing the full time whistle. 

So in the end it was another one point defeat for Ballinlough on a scoreline of 1-13 to Syddan’s 2-11.

Ballinlough: A.Gibney, C.Lynch (0-01), R.Farrell, J.Connell (0-01), C.Fleming (0-02(one 2pt free), L.Maguire, D.Caffrey, H.Ryan, T.McCullen, N.McDonnell, B.Smith, B.Brunton (0-01), K.Óg Lynch (0-07(5f, One 2pt)), S.Tunney (0-01), J.Casserly (1-00)

Subs: E.Briody for J.Casserly 49’

 Referee: Paddy Clarke 

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