Four goals pave the way for memorable Delvin success

Delvin 4-11, Ballinagore 2-15

A two-point victory secured the All County Football League Division 7 title for determined Delvin at TEG Cusack Park on Wednesday evening, in glorious weather conditions.

An exciting contest produced 32 scores, including six goals, and there was plenty to entertain fans as Delvin led by 3-5 to 1-8 at half-time before fending off a resurgent Ballinagore side after the break. Ballinagore forged ahead on 40 minutes and it looked like the bridesmaid’s tag would sit with Delvin once more, but they responded with a neatly taken goal from Eoin Carolan, and that was pivotal as they re-established a three-point cushion and held on until the bitter end, surviving five minutes of added time.

They could even afford an inexplicable wide from the talented Dean Ennis from a late free with the final kick of the match, safe in the knowledge that they were about to take the spoils, and team captain Eoin Carolan was presented with the trophy by Frank Mescall, County Committee Chairman.

Michael Ennis' Ballinagore were seeking a second league title in less than a week, having already won the Division 4 equivalent, but it was Delvin who savoured a long-overdue success and they will aim to build on it. A proud club, they have struggled on the football front since their 1989 triumph, but this league success will instil renewed hope.

Delvin, under manager Tosh McDonnell, got a terrific start and Dean Poynton booted home a left-footed goal in the third minute, having almost lost possession, his snapshot finding the roof of the net. When Dean Ennis soloed clear and shot a classy point, they were five clear. Ballinagore settled and were on level terms after 12 minutes as a lively contest ensued – Colin Coleman, Philip Reynolds and Paddy Ennis prominent in the scoring department. When Ennis cut in and slotted over, and Philip Reynolds followed up in the 15th minute, Ballinagore had a slender lead, 0-7 to 1-3. Crucially, Delvin goalie Aaron Sheerin Murtagh denied Eoin Robinson a goal and Dean Poynton pointed at the other end, taking a generous number of steps in the process.

Delvin’s second goal came after 23 minutes when Peter Reynolds found the net, the goal coming after Dean Poynton and Eoin Robinson tussled – the Delvin player fortunate that the ball wasn’t thrown in when he retaliated. If that was a break, they failed to build on it, as Peter Reynolds’ long, angled delivery deceived the Delvin goalie and ended up in the net, leaving it all square again on 26 minutes.

However, in the final minute of normal time, Ciaran Fenlon’s left-footed strike from close range found the net and, after a protracted period of added time, Delvin held a three-point lead at the break.

Delvin added 1-6 in the second half; Ballinagore notched 1-7 in a contest that ebbed and flowed in relentless fashion. It was 2-11 to 3-7 in Ballinagore’s favour when Peter Reynolds slotted over a two-pointer free in fine style, but Delvin responded superbly with their fourth goal from Eoin Carolan – a low finish following Dean Ennis’ pass. That was the general trend and they were never again headed in this final, Carolan’s ‘45’ putting them three clear.

A spirited Ballinagore side attacked constantly and Delvin resorted to fouling, some of which went under the radar. After Paddy Ennis’ 50th-minute free, it was 4-8 to 2-12 and nicely poised for a grand finale.

The teams traded points on three further occasions and Delvin finished with 14 men when Eoin Carolan picked up a black card, but ultimately their four goals got them over the line for a famous victory.

Scorers – Delvin: E Carolan 1-5 (0-1f; 0-1 ‘45’), D Poynton 1-1, A Ennis and C Fenlon 1-0 each, D Ennis 0-3, E Coll and K Murphy 0-1 each.

Ballinagore: P Ennis 0-8 (2pt f; 4f), Peter Reynolds 1-2 (2pt f), Philip Reynolds 1-2, Colin Coleman 0-3.

Delvin: Aaron Sheerin Murtagh; Oisin Kelly, Liam Carolan, Eddie O’Neill; Adam McCormack, Patrick Clune, Jack Forde; Seán Hoctor, Adam Ennis; Dean Poynton, Eoin Carolan, Ciaran Fenlon; Ethan Coll, Dean Ennis, Peter Fallon.

Subs: Aaron Fenlon for O’Neill (21), Killian Murphy for Fallon (37), Kyle Bracken for C Fenlon (48), Stephen Reilly for Coll (54).

Ballinagore: Ian Seery; David Pidgeon, Peter Deegan, Robert Gannon; Donal Barrett, Luke Seery, Jack Gannon; Eoin Robinson, Peter Reynolds; Niall Claffey, Colin Coleman, Brian Pidgeon; Shane Heraty, Philip Reynolds, Paddy Ennis.

Subs: Kieran Deegan for Claffey (41), Christian Dowling for R Gannon (47), Seán Macken for B Pidgeon (54), Marty Linnane for D Pidgeon (58), Jack Malone for Heraty (60).

Ref: James Allard (Shandonagh).