St. Vincent’s 3-18 Ballinlough 1-16

In the run up to this Junior Football Championship Semi-Final the consensus seemed to be that Ballinlough would book their place in the final at the expense of St. Vincent’s. But matches aren’t won or lost on paper or in the form book. It’s the men who pull on the club jersey and represent their community who really matter.

It was a perfect evening for football in Dunganny where a large crowd had gathered as referee Cormac Reilly got proceedings underway. St. Vincent’s took the early lead with a point from Michael McIvor. Matthew Tuite doubled the lead shortly after with a fine score from play. Ballinlough responded with a 2-pointer from play after the Ardcath men failed to clear their lines. Ballinlough took the lead with a pointed free after 6 minutes of play and doubled the lead soon after with another pointed free. Conor Harford levelled matters with a lovely 2 pointer with 12 minutes played. Ballinlough replied with a well taken point from play before retaking the lead with another point from play. The Ballinlough men seemed to be taking control of the game with another point from play. The North Meath men had a goal opportunity in the 20th minute, but it went just wide. They settled for a pointed free to extend their lead. Nigel Hand reduced the deficit with a point from play after patient build up. With 22 minutes played the Ballinlough keeper went short with his kickout, and Michael McIvor seized the opportunity to gather the ball and finish to the back of the net and draw the sides level once again. Ballinlough had a man black-carded after 26 minutes and Michael McIvor pointed from the free. The Ballinlough men responded with a point from play after a patient period of passing. Conor O’Brien fisted over a further point just before half time following good build up play from Shane Caffrey and Matthew Tuite. 

Half Time - St Vincents 1-07 Ballinlough 0-09

Matthew Tuite won the throw in for the second half and laid it off to Gary Tuite who dropped in the ball to Michael McIvor, but his close-range shot was blocked. He duly slotted over the free from the mark. Ballinlough replied with a 2-pointer from a free to level the game. Both sides had opportunities to take the lead but were wide of the mark. It was the Ballinlough men who made the breakthrough with a well worked goal from play. Paddy McGill replied immediately with a point from play. A well worked play from Adam Tuite and Nigel Hand saw Michael McIvor slot over a point from play. Ballinlough added another point from a free before quickly adding another from play. When it seemed that Ballinlough were getting a stranglehold on the game Gary Tuite fired over a beautiful 2-pointer to keep St. Vincent’s in the game. This was a real battle truly fitting for a semi-final. A beautiful ball in from Conor Harford found Nigel Hand in space. He popped it off to the onrushing McIvor who rolled the ball in for his second goal of the night and edge St. Vincent’s back into the lead. Ballinlough worked the ball down the field and levelled matters again with a point from play. The men in white surged forward again but St. Vincent’s held firm with gritty defending. Ballinlough tagged on a point from play before adding another form a free to give them a one-point lead as the full-time whistle loomed. But the Ardcath men were not done yet. They patiently worked the ball until it found it’s way to Ryan Hand in space. He cooly pinged over the point before Cormac Reilly blew the full-time whistle. The supporters were getting value for money as extra-time would be needed to split the sides.

Full Time - St Vincents 2-13 Ballinlough 1-16

The first 60+ minutes of this game were a brilliant battling performance from both sides. In extra-time the superior fitness levels of the Ardcath men shone through. From the start they attacked and were rewarded as Paddy McGill fired over a point from play. A brilliant break from Adam Tuite saw him square the ball to Paddy McGill and he palmed over the point when a goal looked likely. McIvor had an opportunity to add to his tally after a great break and 1-2 play with Ryan Hand, but he was denied by the upright. He was to hit his hat-trick shortly after when a high ball in from Ryan Hand dropped in to his hands and he was never missing from close range.

In the second period of extra-time St. Vincent’s controlled the ball and the game. McIvor fired over a 2-pointer from a free before Conor O’Brien tapped over a point to settle matters. 

After Extra Time – St. Vincent’s 3-18 Ballinlough 1-16

This was St. Vincent’s playing as we know they can. As impressive as man of the match, Michael McIvor, was this was a complete team performance. Evan Connor in goals was superb under the high balls, the backs defended brilliantly, Bob Tallon and Conor Harford in midfield controlled the game and all our forwards constantly posed threats. With 8 different scorers on the night and only four points from frees, St. Vincent’s look to have hit their stride at just the right time.

The Ardcath men now look forward to the final in Páirc Tailteann on 11th October at 2:00pm where they face the Clan na nGael as they bid to go one step further than last year.

St. Vincents scorers: Michael McIvor 3-06, Patrick McGill 0-03, Conor Harford 0-02, Conor O’Brien 0-02, Gary Tuite 0-02, Matthew Tuite 0-01, Nigel Hand 0-01, Ryan Hand 0-01

St Vincents: Evan Connor, Ryan Hand, Davy Tallon, Mark Crawley, Gary Tuite, Niall Tallon, Shane Caffrey, Bob Tallon, Conor Harford, Matthew Tuite, Conor O’Brien, Adam Andrews, Nigel Hand, Michael McIvor, Adam Tuite

Subs: Paddy McGill for Adam Andrews, Conor White for Bob Tallon, Eric Callaghan for Matthew Tuite, Shane Andrews for Gary Tuite

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