Kilmainham 2-9, Ballinlough 1-18
For the third time in as many weeks Ballinlough and Kilmainham locked horns. Before this match the results stood at one win each, with very little between the sides. This encounter on Saturday 16th August 2025 was going to raise the stakes again.
Kilmainham starting strong as they had done in their previous match with Shane and Ger Morgan playing two excellent balls into full forward Freddie Newman to fire over two points. A third attempt by the same man dropped short. Ballinlough were getting plenty of ball into their forwards, but the Kilmainham defence was doing brilliant with serious of turnovers. Ballinlough did kick a few wides. Kilmainham should have had more on the score board but weren’t clinical enough up front with good possession in forward areas yielding very little on the scoreboard. Ballinlough kicked a few good points to take the lead. Dean Peppard pulled off a smart save as a Ballinlough forward tried the palm the ball to the net, Harry Newman managed to clear the rebound away from danger. Larry Morgan made a surging run and fed Michael Hoey who buried the ball to the Ballinlough net on 16 minutes. A well taken goal that was much needed. Unfortunately, a poor point attempt in the next play by Kilmainham dropped short, Ballinlough broke with speed and headed for goals. An attempted handpass took a deflection off a Kilmainham player to wrong foot Dean Peppard in goals and bounce into the Kilmainham net. A fortious goal that put Ballinlough back in front. There was some debate along the line whether Ballinlough had the correct number of players in their own half. Referee Peter O’ Halloran consulted with lineman Seamus O’ Connor and the goal stood. Ballinlough kicked a two pointer as the half time whistle blew.
Half-time score: Kilmainham 1-3, Ballinlough 1-8.
Kilmainham started the second half well, winning the first two kick outs but again they were struggling to turn good possession into scores. Ballinlough were on top at midfield and kicked some very good scores to push further ahead as Kilmainham missed more chances as the game slipped away. Mickey Newman palmed a ball to the net after another good run by Larry Moragn. Newman kicked another good two points, but Ballinlough were always able to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Freddie Newman kicked his fourth point of the match, Mickey Hoey kicked a free and substitute Shane Butler kicked a point as the game headed for full time. Despite some Kilmainham pressure, Ballinlough held out for a deserved 6-pointwin. Kilmainham will rue a host of missed chances and poor decision making over the course of the match.
Despite a second loss of the campaign all is not lost. The lads will regroup and go again. The group is tight as expected with very little between most Junior A teams. We will face Dunderry round 3 in Dunganny on Sunday 31st August at 6pm. A massive thank you for all the support that we received at last night's match. It is very much appreciated by the management team, players and club.
Best for Kilmainham were: Harry Newman, Freddie Newman and Mickey Newman.
Kilmainham: Dean Peppard, Harry Newman, Declan Mullen, Padraig Caffrey, Matthew Mullen, Shane Morgan, Jamie O’ Sullivan, Larry Morgan, Mickey Newman (1-3), Andy Arkins, Ger Morgan, Mickey Hoey (1-1), Freddie Newman (0-4), Seanie Mahon, Terence Daly.
Subs: Shane Butler (0-1) for Terence Daly, Johnny Quinlan for Andy Arkins, Phily Mahon, Brian Black, Tom Monaghan and Jake O’ Rourke.
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