Michael Slevin goal edges Ballymore to exciting Junior 'B' success

A very well-taken goal, midway through the second moiety, from half-time substitute Michael Slevin ultimately proved to be the decisive score as hosts Ballymore edged out Ballynacargy in an entertaining Westmeath junior 'B' football final on Sunday afternoon last.Given the recent deluges in neighbouring towns and villages, the Ballymore GAA powers-that-be deserve enormous credit for having the ground in remarkably good shape for last Sunday's encounter. Indeed, the compact facilities were resplendent in every way, with a clearly-visible scoreboard a bonus for the hardy individuals who turned up on a cold but pleasant afternoon. Never was a half-time 'cuppa' more welcome for a reporter!There was never going to be a lot between these two evenly-matched sides and so it proved all through. It was widely debated at half-time if the visitors' four-point lead at the break would be sufficient, the blue and golds having had the wind in their backs for the opening half-hour. As it transpired, it was insufficient and the loss of influential full forward Michael Loran with ten minutes of normal time remaining for a straight red card offence made life all the more difficult for Ballynacargy. In the end, the losers' last-gasp attempts to blast what would surely have been a winning goal failed, and Ballymore were crowned as worthy champions.Ballynacargy should have opened the scoring in the first minute but Mark Murphy was off target from a great position. The winners made the most of this let-off when they went in front some three minutes later, Louis Meares pointing neatly with the outside of his boot, after playing a one-two with Stephen Rooney. However, wind-assisted Ballynacargy then took control and they rattled off five unanswered points between the sixth and the 14th minutes. Mark Murphy opened their account with a terrific point from an acute angle, the ball going over via the crossbar. The latter player turned provider in the next move, Daniel Keena applying a neat finish. Overlapping corner back, Griffen Kearney popped up for his side's third score, with Michael Loran providing the decisive pass. Another defender then got in on the scoring act, Mark Brady applying a lovely finish to a sweeping Bal move. As the midpoint of the half approached, Owen Burke made it 0-5 to 0-1 for the losers, his shot (as he appeared to be impeded) hopping over Conor McNeill's crossbar.In the 17th minute, Ballymore reduced the gap when Stephen Rooney pointed after a patient build-up. Daniel Keena was then unlucky to see his 35-metre free come back off the upright, but in the next passage of play a fine catch from Vinny Eivers enabled him to stretch his side's advantage with a wonderful point. The strength of the wind could be gauged when a Louis Meares free was held up en route to goal. However, the same player will have been disappointed not to convert a routine free after a foul on James Eivers (whose physical presence caused untold problems to the Ballynacargy defence all through). Meares was unlucky to see a free from a tricky angle come back off the upright in the last action of the half. At the break, the scoreboard read: Ballynacargy 0-6 Ballymore 0-2.The home side got off to a great start to the second moiety, James Eivers setting up Stephen Rooney for a fine point. Confusion in the losers' goalmouth then almost led to a fortuitous goal for Ballymore, but a wide ensued from Michael Slevin. A failure to clear their lines by the Bal defence let in Liam Gilligan for a well-taken point, leaving just two points separating the sides. Ballynacargy goalkeeper Michael Penrose did well to hold Stephen Rooney's shot, before Mark Brady's shot at the other end was deflected out at the expense of an unconverted '45'. The respective number 15s, Sean Fagan (Ballynacargy) and Stephen Rooney (Ballymore) then traded points, the latter's effort coming immediately after a suspicion that a free awarded to Ballymore should have gone the other way. Another intuitive knockdown from James Eivers freed David Slevin to reduce the deficit to the bare minimum in the 15th minute.Then came the all-important goal, Michael Slevin rifling a great shot to the Ballynacargy net from 15 metres, to give Ballymore a lead they would never relinquish. Yet again, James Eivers was the provider for a score for the winners, when he set up Stephen Rooney for the corner forward's fourth point of the contest, in the 16th minute. This proved to be Ballymore's last score and the remainder of the match was played out in a welter of excitement. A dangerous ball goalward from Owen Burke was met by the fist of Daniel Keena, but a wide resulted. Conor McNeill then came to the winners' rescue, the netminder pulling off a great low save when Daniel Keena seemed certain to find the net. After an altercation with Brian Finnerty (who required treatment), Michael Loran was dismissed by referee Pat Fox in the 21st minute, but Bal continued to display great spirit in the face of adversity.Daniel Keena kicked two wides in quick succession (one with either foot) and the same player went close to getting the elusive goal in the second last minute of normal time, but his blistering shot went over rather than under Conor McNeill's crossbar. The latter player then almost made a fatal mistake by keeping the ball in play as it was drifting wide. A Ballymore counterattack ended with the sturdy James Eivers holding off his marker, but his shot lacked potency and was easily held by Michael Penrose. Deep into injury-time, Mark Murphy tried to manufacture a goal but only a point resulted. Seconds later the referee blew the final whistle and the home fans got ready to celebrate a memorable triumph.Ballymore: Conor McNeill; Bobby McDermott, Andrew Slevin, Shane Rooney; Seamus Keena, Brian Finnerty, Darragh Rooney (capt); Sam Whooley, Liam Gilligan (0-1); David Slevin (0-1), Dermot Farrell, Francis Eivers; Louis Meares (0-1), James Eivers, Stephen Rooney (0-4). Subs: Michael Slevin (1-0) (for Whooley, half-time), Anthony Kearney (for D. Slevin, 45 mins), Ciaran Finnerty (for F. Eivers, 48 mins).Ballynacargy: Michael Penrose; John Keena, Aidan Scally, Griffen Kearney (0-1); Mark Brady (0-1), Bernard Nally, Darragh Keena; Niall Eivers, Vinny Eivers (0-1); Daniel Keena (0-2), Mark Murphy (capt) (0-2), Owen Burke (0-1); Gary Keena, Michael Loran, Sean Fagan (0-1).Referee: Pat Fox (Rosemount).Footnote. After the game, the Chairman of the Westmeath Football Board, Des Maguire presented the winners' shield to the Ballymore captain Darragh Rooney.