Smyth strike clinches victory for efficient Ballymore

Ballymore 2-10 Ballinagore 1-9

By Eamon A. Donoghue

Efficiency was the key for Ballymore as they stay unbeaten after two rounds of the Westmeath intermediate championship thanks to victory over Ballinagore, in Ballynacargy last Saturday evening.

Both teams came into the game unbeaten and everyone knew that something had to give. Ballymore had a whirlwind start when Brian Finerty had the ball in the Ballinagore net after 20 seconds, and also finished strongly with a late goal from Ivan Smyth.

Both teams scored early goals but Ballymore had the better of the first half, assisted by the wind. Ballinagore had the majority of the possession in the second half, wind assisted, but continued to make unforced errors in possession, coughing up hard-earned possession.

And Ballymore were far more efficient, especially in the second half. They scored with almost every attack in the fourth quarter and kicked the key scores to win the game.

In a low scoring first half, Ballymore had the best of it with the wind behind them. Finerty’s early goal set them on the way and with Owen McCabe impressive at midfield, they opened up a 1-3 to 0-1 advantage by the 15th minute. Ronan McLoughlin and Finerty also kicked points in that first quarter.

Ballinagore also got an early goal from midfielder Eoin Robinson and their attacking talisman Tommy McDaniel kicked a point, but it was Ballymore who led 1-5 to 1-3 at half-time.

After the turnaround, Ballinagore were aided by the wind as it got stronger, scoring four scores without reply, and they looked odds-on to go on and win the game.

Points from Brandon Carey (two), Darragh Seery and Philip Reynolds (a fisted effort) had them 1-7 to 1-5 in front for the first time in the game. They looked the likely winners at that stage but Ballymore showed their character and efficiency.

The men in white and maroon didn’t make enough use of their possession, even though they were on top for almost all of the third quarter. But they often over-passed the ball and didn’t punish the opponents. Ballymore were the opposite as virtually every attack mounted led to a positive outcome.

Finerty started the revival when he swung over a ‘45’ and then came the key score of the game - midfielder Smyth sending the ball into the back of the net.

Mark Scally, Finnerty and substitutes Colm O’Roarke and Derek Molloy all kicked scores to see out the win.

Player of the match: Brian Finerty (Ballymore). John Gilligan, Owen McCabe and Jack Kearney all contributed significantly, but Finerty played a key role and his scores were crucial. For Ballinagore, Darragh Seery, Tommy McDaniel and Philip Reynolds were best.

Scorers - Ballymore: B Finerty 1-5 (0-1 45); I Smyth 1-0; R McLoughlin, O McCabe, M Scally, C O’Roarke and D Molloy 0-1 each. Ballinagore: E Robinson 1-0; T McDaniel 0-3 (2f); P Reynolds and B Carey 0-2 each; C Coleman and D Seery 0-1 each.

Ballymore - Conor McNeill; Darragh Monaghan, Brian McCabe, Daniel Ennis; Shane Kincaid, Jack Kearney, Mark Scally; Owen McCabe, Ivan Smyth; David Jelistratovs, John Gilligan, Eanna Keena; Ronan McLoughlin, Eoin Ryan, Brian Finerty. Subs used: Derek Molloy, Seamus Keena and Colm O’Roarke.

Ballinagore - Cathal Daly; Conan Feery, Luke Seery, Peter Deegan; Cathal Kelly, Darragh Seery, Robbie Keegan; Eoin Robinson, Cody Finnane; Philip Reynolds, Tommy McDaniel, David Keegan; Colin Coleman, Peter Reynolds, Brandon Carey. Sub used: Paddy Ennis.

Referee - Brendan Keena (Ballynacargy).