Killucan edge out Ballinagore to claim first points in SFC

An unanswered blast of 1-4 between the 43rd and 47th minute dragged Killucan from a four-point deficit to a three-point lead and laid the foundations for their first win in the Championship for 2008.Chief amongst the scorers during that mini-blitz was Brian Smyth who kicked three great points that dragged his, until then, lacklustre comrades right back into the game and into a lead that they would not relinquish to a visibly wilting Ballinagore side.Up to that point the Maroon and Whites looked all over winners as they had used their limited possession expertly and had used Thomas McDaniels as an able target man up front to great effect. But Killucan showed their experience and upped their game in the final quarter and by that stage Ballinagore had gone to the well too often and just ended up running out of steam.Played in ideal conditions in Cusack Park last Tuesday evening, this was an enjoyable if somewhat error-ridden game but was always nip and tuck throughout and the Saffrons of Killucan will greatly accept the two points. With local derbies to come against The Downs and Coralstown/Kinnegad, they will certainly see themselves at least reaching a play-off place.The game had barely a minute played when Killucan corner forward Paul Briody gathered from a Padraig Leavy pass and kicked the first score of the game. James Durkan equalised for Ballinagore moments later from a long-range free but a Padraig Leavy free from a foul on Brian Smyth put Killucan ahead once again, only for Michael Ennis to reply with a free for Ballinagore moments later. Killucan the went wide crazy and made several poor attempts to get a score. Paul Greville was guilty of a pick off the ground when a goal seemed at his mercy.The Killucan defence was also jittery and when another ball was poorly cleared, James Durkan pointed to put Ballinagore ahead and, moments later, JJ Hegarty put two between the sides from a super catch and pass by David Deegan. Killucan got one back when former county star, James Nugent kicked a lovely score after a long move from defence and they could have had a goal seconds later when a high-hanging Shane Leavy delivery was dropped by Paddy Maloney in the Ballinagore goal and it took a brave clearance from Peter Deegan to lift the danger.Padraig Leavy brought his side level when he converted a 45 yard free and then Paul Greville put Killucan one ahead when he fly-hacked over. Ballinagore could have had a goal when a fine delivery from Stuart Gavin was fielded superbly by McDaniels. He shipped the ball on to Michael Ennis but his goal effort went over rather than under the crossbar and, for the next few minutes of the half, the sides exchanged poor wides leaving the half time score 0-5 apiece.After the break Killucan had the better of the early exchanges but their shooting was poor and from a break out Ballinagore turned the game on its head when Durkan"s high ball was fielded by Bryan but he was dispossessed on the way out by McDaniels and the nippy corner forward made no mistake from close range. Killucan needed something quick but again they wasted opportunity after opportunity and, when Michael Ennis and James Durkan combined several times before Ennis converted for a point, Ballinagore were suddenly four points up with 20 minutes to go.Smyth went on his one-man crusade and, after scoring two great points himself, it was his fielding that gave the ball to Stephen Morley and his through ball was fisted to the net by Nugent and now Eamonn Gallagher"s charges were a point ahead. It was certainly the turning point in the game and when Smyth fisted another point after a mazy, lengthy run Killucan were pulling away. Smyth"s heroics were lifting all around him and when Paul Greville scored from a narrow angle and distance, the pendulum had really swung in the Saffron"s favour.Smyth added to Ballinagore"s woes when he collected a poor kick out and, with the goal at his mercy, took the sensible option of a point to leave four between the sides with six minutes to go. Ballinagore did stage a mini-rally toward the end and McDaniels scored a wonderful point and they were still on the attack in the final seconds when midfielder Eoin Miller strangely chose to point rather than go for goal. From the kick out, referee Barry Kelly called for the ball to end the encounter.Scorers: Killucan - Brian Smyth 0-4, James Nugent 1-1, Paul Greville 0-2, Padraig Leavy 0-2 (2 frees), Paul Briody 0-1; Ballinagore - Thomas McDaniels 1-1, Michael Ennis 0-3 (1 free), James Durkan 0-2 (1 free), JJ Hegarty and Eoin Miller 0-1 each.Killucan: David Bryan, Tony Doyle, Brendan McKeogh, Stephen Morley, Conor Jordan, Frank Boyle, Niall Flanagan, Brian Smyth, James Nugent, Alan Doyle, Shane Leavy, John Shaw, Paul Greville, Padraig Leavy, Paul Briody. Subs: Cormac Boyle (for Briody, 43 mins).Ballinagore: Paddy Maloney, Louis Ennis, Peter Heraty, Pat Heduan, Kieran Carey, Peter Deegan, Kieran Deegan, Eoin Miller, Stuart Gavin, J.J.Hegarty, James Durkan, Michael Ennis, Thomas McDaniels, Paul Robinson, David Deegan. Subs: Dan Gavin (for Peter Deegan, 37 mins), Paul Maloney (for Louis Ennis, 43 mins), Rory Lynam (for Robinson, 52 mins), Ian Seery (for Hegarty, 57 mins).Referee: Barry Kelly, Mullingar Shamrocks.