Ballinlough 1-15 Ballivor 0-12

Ballinlough made the trip to a windswept Ballivor for the final round of the Division 3 League with an up hill battle on their hands, taking on the league leaders knowing we needed a result to avoid automatic relegation and give ourselves a fighting chance of staying in Division 3 for 2026.

The visitors opened the scoring with a Sean Tunney point from play following some brilliant early defensive pressure, and Ballinloughs fast start was to get better moments later when Oisin McDermott secured possession in midfield before finding Sean Tunney who laid it off to Darren O’Higgins and the sharp-shooter finished to the net with aplomb in the fourth minute.

Ballivor hit back with two points from play but Ballinlough were well up for this game with Kit Óg Lynch pointing from play before Sean Tunney landed a free in the 11th minute.

Oisin McDermott got his name on the scoresheet with a fine point from play despite being fouled, and minutes later after Darren O’Higgins was unceremoniously hauled to the ground, McDermott had the opportunity to kick the first two point score of the game, the big midfield man expertly stroking the ball over the bar in the 15th minute to leave Referee Eamonn Barry sticking his two hands overhead.

A point from Ballivor kept them in it and they could have lowered the deficit only to be denied a half goal chance by Alan Gibney in the Ballinlough net.

Daire Shine converted his first free for Ballinlough in the 24th minute to leave them leading by seven points, but a Ballivor two point free in the 27th minute cut the gap back to five points.

Ballinlough were defending brilliantly in this opening half with Robbie Farrell in particular putting in an excellent shift, showing great experience and know-how, whilst flanked by men almost half his age in the full back line.

Another point from play for Kit Óg Lynch in the 28th minute extended Ballinloughs lead to six points, but Ballivor were fortunate to nail a two point score from play just before the half time whistle.

So when Referee Eamonn Barry called for the ball, Ballinlough led on a scoreline of 1-08 to Ballivors 0-07.

The home side started the second half well with a pointed free and a score from play by the 34th minute to leave just two between the sides, but Ballinlough hit back with a Daire Shine free a moment later to keep the pressure off.

Ballivor however, were beginning to show exactly why they were top of the table with another excellent point from play in the 40th minute, before Ballinlough had Charlie Lynch to thank as he pulled off a last gasp goal line clearance in the 41st minute.

Further points from play for Ballivor ensured the sides were level by the 47th minute and momentum seemed firmly with the home side, while Ballinlough were at serious risk of throwing away yet another game from a winning position this year.

This time however a level of calmness and maturity was shown with Harry Ryan pointing a very important point in the 50th minute to give the men in Red their lead back, and from that score Ballinlough never looked back.

Oisin McDermott was a powerhouse in midfield breaking ball down on top of the waiting Daire Shine and his quick movement saw the ball moved quickly into Kit Óg Lynch who fired over in the 52nd minute.

Brandon Brunton became the seventh different scorer on the night for Ballinlough when he chipped in with a tidy point before there was a serious danger the game might not see its full conclusion, as Referee Eamonn Barry took a tumble and looked in considerable pain as he lay on the turf.

Thankfully after a timely intervention from the Ballivor Physio, Eamonn was looked after and was able to see out the rest of the game, as he received encouragement and a round of applause from those in attendance.

With the action back underway Ballinlough pushed on with points from Darren O’Higgins, a half goal chance for Charlie Lynch but he took the mature option and fisted over the bar in the 60th minute, before his cousin Shane Lynch set up their other cousin Kit Óg Lynch for a lovely point in the 61st minute.

After a few more minutes played Referee Eamonn Barry deemed that was that and blew the final whistle, Ballinlough taking the victory on a scoreline of 1-15 to Ballivors 0-12.

That result means we avoid the automatic drop but must still face off with our old friends in Kilmainham again to see who will still be playing Div.3 Football next year!!

Ballinlough Team: A.Gibney, C.Lynch (0-01), R.Farrell, C.Rennicks, D.Caffrey, T.Shine, C.Fleming, O.McDermott (0-03(one 2ptf), H.Ryan (0-01), B.Brunton (0-01), D.Shine (0-02(2f)), N.McDonnell, S.Tunney (0-02(1f)), D.O’Higgins (1-01), K.Óg Lynch (0-04)

Subs: J.Connell for T.Shine 21’, S.McDermott for A.Gibney H/T, S.Lynch for N.McDonnell 39’, J.Lynch for S.Tunney 45’, M.McCullen for D.Shine 55’

Referee: Eamonn Barry

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