Barcelona Gaels dash Ballinagore's Leinster dreams

Barcelona Gaels 1-10, Ballinagore 0-10

Barcelona Gaels sensationally dumped Ballinagore out of the Leinster Club Junior Football Championship with a fine display in difficult conditions, at Dovida Lakepoint Park on Saturday.

Switched to the all-weather 3G pitch due to persistent rain, this was a real test of character for both sides and it was the visitors who coped better for most of the game, headed only once for a brief period in the first half by the Westmeath champions, who will be bitterly disappointed with their first-round exit.

Ballynacargy footballer Seán Fagan played a significant role in Barcelona Gaels’ victory, coming off the bench in the 45th minute to score a sweet left-footed point that gave the Spanish side a two-point cushion and interrupted a Ballinagore resurgence. Ballinagore had just scored seven unanswered points, including a fine two-pointer from a free by Tommy McDaniel, but Fagan’s finish made it 1-9 to 0-10 with three minutes of normal time to play.

Ballinagore, profligate with scoring chances, trailed by 1-8 to 0-3 entering the final quarter and despite a heroic fight back, were forced to give second best. Barcelona Gaels made significant headway in the closing stages of the first half and led by 0-5 to 0-3 at the interval. The crucial goal came three minutes into the second half when centre-forward Jack Toner found the net despite the best efforts of Ballinagore corner-back Luke Seery, who got a partial block on a low shot that found its way to the bottom corner.

Typically resilient, Ballinagore produced a gritty recovery in the second half but were denied a goal at a crucial stage when Eoin Robinson’s initial shot was blocked by corner-back Ciaran Cusack and his follow-up effort foiled by ‘keeper Jack Carey. David Keegan also had a guilt-edged chance on the hour mark when McDaniel’s shot was parried by Cusack, but he shot wide from close-range and that summed up Ballinagore’s afternoon.

IMPRESSIVE MCLAUGHLIN

Barcelona Gaels settled fastest and, inside two minutes, Tomás Sheehy pushed forward from wing-back to clip over the opening point of the evening. Ballinagore responded on eight minutes through a well-struck effort from midfielder Darragh Seery, and a minute later Tommy McDaniel nudged them into the lead with a confidently struck free - the only time the home side would be in front in this provincial tie.

Josh O’Donoghue levelled matters on ten minutes with a composed free, and the same player restored the visitors’ advantage on 17 minutes with another dead-ball effort, punishing a defensive hand in. Ballinagore stayed in touch approaching the break, McDaniel knocking over a point from play on 27 minutes.

However, Barcelona Gaels finished the half stronger. Aidan McLaughlin, impressive throughout from centre-back, drove forward to split the posts on 29 minutes, before the tireless Conor Murphy added another on 30 minutes following some nice inter-play with McLaughlin. At half-time, Barcelona Gaels carried a 0-5 to 0-3 lead to the dressing room.

The game’s crucial moment arrived three minutes into the second half. A high delivery from Darragh Curran caused chaos in the Ballinagore square; captain John O’Keefe kept it alive brilliantly and Jack Toner drilled home a low, left-footed finish, despite Luke Seery’s partial block. Within a minute, O’Donoghue fisted over another score, cutting in sharply from the wing after a powerful run that typified his influence.

Barcelona Gaels continued to control proceedings and, on 11 minutes, O’Donoghue again found the target, his neat left-footed point stemming from a cleverly worked quick sideline.

By the 16-minute mark, Toner added to his tally following tidy link play from Cameron Nairn. Ballinagore needed inspiration and McDaniel provided it with a fine point almost immediately, signalling the start of a spirited revival. A minute later they were inches from a goal: Eoin Robinson’s initial effort was bravely blocked by Ciaran Cusack and goalkeeper Jack Carey reacted superbly to save the rebound, after a move involving Philip and Peter Reynolds had carved the opening. It was certainly let-off for Barcelona Gaels and perhaps the key moment in the second half.

Ballinagore kept coming. Colin Coleman clipped a tidy score off his left after good work from Cody Finnane on 18 minutes, before McDaniel produced a lovely effort on 22 minutes, cutting the gap further. Two minutes later he delivered arguably the point of the match – an outside-of-the-boot free from range that sailed between the uprights. Substitute Brandon Carey then announced his return in style on 25 minutes, launching a terrific long-range point to bring real momentum to the home side.

On 26 minutes, McDaniel struck again, this time converting a two-pointer from a free after Barcelona Gaels were penalised 50 metres for not retreating when the returning Brandon Carey was fouled. It was a superbly executed strike and suddenly the contest was on a knife-edge. But Barcelona Gaels responded instantly and decisively, with substitute Seán Fagan curling over a vital point moments later to steady the ship after they had won the restart.

Ballinagore still had chances. On 30 minutes, Eoin Robinson pounced on a half-opening when McDaniel’s shot was parried by Carey, but the wing-forward steered the loose ball wide under pressure. A more efficient Barcelona Gaels side were indebted to O’Donoghue’s outstanding high fielding in added time, the corner-forward rising magnificently to claim a pressure kickout when his side most needed composure.

Ballinagore pushed desperately for scores, Robinson and McDaniel each shooting wide late on as the clock ticked against them.

Five minutes into added time, Barcelona Gaels finally sealed their victory. Alex O’Brien and Conor Murphy combined smartly in transition, and O’Donoghue finished the move with a gorgeous left-footed point. It was a fitting contribution from a player who had been superb throughout.

Ballinagore bowed out and overall will reflect on a missed opportunity, albeit against a Barcelona Gaels side that had their homework done and snuffed out the threat of McDaniel, who had scored 0-10 in the Westmeath decider, for long stages. No doubt the Westmeath side will be back to try and make an impact at intermediate level next year.

Scorers - Barcelona Gaels: J O’Donoghue 0-5 (2f), J Toner 1-1, C Murphy, T Sheehy, A McLaughlin and S Fagan 0-1 each.

Ballinagore: T McDaniel 0-7 (1 tpf; 2f), D Seery, C Coleman and B Carey 0-1 each.

Barcelona Gaels: Jack Carey; Ciaran Cusack, Fionn Keady, Conor Curran; Alex O’Brien, Aidan McLaughlin, Tomás Sheehy; Conor Murphy, James Cahill; Cameron Nairn, Jack Toner, Calum Miskelly; John O’Keeffe, Darragh Curran, Josh O’Donoghue. Subs: Matthew McElgunn for Sheehy (inj., 12), Seán Fagan for Nairn (45), Conor Carew for Curran (50).

Ballinagore: Cathal Daly; Luke Seery, Enda Claffey, Conor Feery; Jack Gannon, Peter Deegan, Robert Keegan; Darragh Seery, Cody Finnane; Eoin Robinson, Tommy McDaniel, David Keegan; Colin Coleman, Brandon Carey, Paddy Ennis. Subs: Peter Reynolds for Ennis (35), Philip Reynolds for Carey (inj., 36), B Carey for Deegan (45), Paddy Maloney for D Keegan (60+2).

Referee: Fergal Smyth (Offaly).