Slicker Multy' overwhelm Bal’ in second half
Multyfarnham 3-11, Ballynacargy 0-7
A windy and tricky sixty-minutes in Lakepoint Park last Sunday saw Multyfarnham come out on top against a Ballynacargy side who have endured a mixed season, winning by 13-points in the end, thanks in no small part to a healthy contribution from the ever-present Ronan Wallace around the middle.
With the results elsewhere over the weekend contributing to make Section B incredibly intriguing, Steven Cleary’s side knew nearing the end that all scores may be vital come the end of the final round in a couple of weeks. Of course, a huge number of missed chances will not read well despite their comfortable victory at the final whistle.
It was not a beginning for the lovers of finely executed scoring as it took over the ten minutes to register anything on the (non-existent) scoreboard – a simple free for Philip Price. His second was much more refined as he split the upright after a lovely feint. Multy replied strongly with Wallace getting them going from a free before Craig Sweeney’s kickout went all the way to Feichin Brennan who marched forward to score. There seemed to be space to be exploited through the centre constantly for the maroon men as Bal’ looked unsure of where to defend and were missing that half-forward line link in any shape or form.
The influential Luke Price levelled with a lovely effort nearing the break but there was still time for more scores at both goals. Indeed, Cian Lee will wonder how he wasn’t celebrating a green flag before two more good scores gave the Kilbixy men the lead heading to the dressing rooms.
Owen Burke was lost to injury very early in the second period and it proved to be a sign of things to come as Multy upped the gears, even if they did not entirely find their range with some shot selections. Despite getting the point (and in much the same way as Cian Lee previous) Stephen Sweeney should have found the net. Eventually the inevitable happened on 38 minutes as Dylan Keena was dispossessed in his own half, allowing Anthony McGivney to take the chance on himself, creating space and firing home to make it 1-5 to 0-5.
It didn’t take long for number two. This time the outstretched hand of Wallace intercepting a handpass in the middle before Louis Greene ended by rippling the net. Despite frees by Luke Price and Jamie Loran, it was no match for Wallace and co. The midfield maestro added an array of scores in the final minutes – a 45 followed by one off his left, before a well-taken goal, a soaring mark, and one from play rounded off yet another key display.
Substitute Gareth Mullaniff tagged on the last point sensibly as Multy, desperately looking to boost scoring difference in their favour, overplayed some late scoring chances, ending with almost two-dozen missed chances. Round five will be eventful to say the least after this weekend.
Scorers - Multyfarnham: R Wallace 1-6 (1 free, 1 mark, 1 45’), A McGivney 1-1, L Greene 1-0, C Madden, C Lee, S Sweeney, G Mullaniff 0-1 each.
Ballynacargy: P Price 0-3 (1 free), L Price 0-2 (1 free), C Byrne, J Loran (free) 0-1 each.
Multyfarnham: Craig Sweeney; Tommy McGivney, James Greene, Aaron Whelan; Adam Bates, Ciarán Madden, Feichin Brennan; Cian Lee, Ronan Wallace; Ian McGovern; Anthony McGivney,
Adam Loughrey; Stephen Sweeney, Luke Nangle, Louis Greene. Subs used: Gareth Mullaniff for Nangle (inj., 27), Jamie Coffey for McGovern (42), Ronan Greene for Loughrey (51), Josh Lee for L Greene (56)
Ballynacargy: Tommy Nally; Conor Keena, Kieran Sheridan, Gary Fagan; Jack Doran, Jack Penrose, Mark Murphy; Tony Doran, Luke Price; Wayne Kelly, Conor Byrne, Philip Price; Callum Maher, Owen Burke, Jamie Loran. Subs used: Dylan Keena for Burke (inj., 33), Troy Maher for Kelly (40)
Referee: Mick Gordon (Shandonagh).
Examiner's Eye on the game
Man of The Match
Ronan Wallace (Multyfarnham): Wallace just led the team through in the end, showing his stamina to find scores when others looked devoid of energy.