Ballinagore fend off resurgent Ballynacargy

Clarke's Bar Junior 1 FC: Ballinagore 1-22, Ballynacargy 3-12

No less a figure than Joe Brolly wrote about the value of two-point specialists on Sunday. On observing a thrilling Junior Football Championship game in Multyfarnham that afternoon between Ballinagore and Ballynacargy, Brolly’s words seemed prophetic.

The victors, still unbeaten, scored 23 times and with a strong breeze behind them won the game in the first half, Tommy McDaniel their two-point specialist. He shot three two-pointers from play, adding another from a free, while Darragh Seery weighed in with a further such strike from play. Five two-pointers in the first half left Ballinagore with an unassailable lead at the break, 1-16 to 1-5.

Conditions lent to the proverbial game of two halves. With all the focus on two-pointers, the value of the traditional goal is sometimes overlooked, but Ballynacargy showed just how significant they can be. Troy Maher back-heeled their second major in audacious fashion on 52 minutes and then a penalty goal by Jack Doran cut Ballinagore’s lead to six points.

Philip Price notched a two-pointer with five minutes remaining and Maher fisted over late on as a frantic finish ensued, the momentum now firmly behind Ballynacargy.

A free on 58 minutes presented the losers with a chance to go for another two-pointer and they rolled the dice. However, Jamie Loran, who had earlier kicked one from play, missed the opportunity. They were three behind regardless and pressing the kickout was the key issue. Crucially, it was Ballinagore who got their hands on the restart.

Having scored just 15 times, eight times less than their opponents, they couldn't really quibble. And it wasn’t just two-pointers that cost them in the end. Ryan Maher shot agonisingly wide from a decent goal chance in the 47th minute and much earlier in the half, Conor Byrne’s effort was deflected out for a ‘45’ with goal written all over it, while Troy Maher later struck the crossbar with a powerful shot. Fine margins in what was a resurgent second half effort. That is forgetting their failure to close down the space in front of McDaniel in the first half, obviously a stiffer challenge under the conditions.

Ballinagore are a serious outfit at this level with McDaniel up front and Seery in midfield, while wing-back Cathal Kelly caught the eye, along with compatriot Robbie Keegan on the opposite side. Yet they lost the final quarter badly - 0-2 to 2-3 (one of those a two-pointer by Philip Price) - and that will be enough to keep them grounded.

Overall, Ballinagore were smarter and slicker, scoring five two-pointers and fisting over another four. That’s composure and clever execution, but their movement was also superior and while Ballynacargy rallied brilliantly, they were second best for long stretches.

The enhanced rules have added to the entertainment value of Gaelic football. Ballinagore got the start, going six points clear before their opponents got off the mark, McDaniel’s accuracy giving them the platform.

Ryan Maher’s opportunist goal kept Ballynacargy in the hunt, but McDaniel got through for a major after six minutes, from David Keegan’s pass, and Seery’s two-pointer at the end of the first quarter had them seven clear (1-10 to 1-3). By half-time the gap was 11 points, McDaniel with a couple of two-pointers, including one from a free.

It seemed like Ballinagore were swatting off every effort at a comeback and they still led by 1-21 to 1-9 after 50 minutes, but Troy Maher’s goal was the catalyst for a rousing finish. Jack Doran netted a penalty when Ballinagore ‘keeper Cathal Daly - fortunate not to receive a black card - took down Maher and Philip Price’s two-pointer added to the gritty fightback. It showed character and gives them something solid to build on.

Scorers - Ballinagore: T McDaniel 1-12 (3 tp; 1 tp free; 1 free); C Kelly 0-3, D Seery 0-2 (1 tp), R Keegan, B Carey, E Robinson, P Reynolds and P Ennis (free) 0-1 each.

Ballynacargy: P Price 0-5 (1 tp), T Maher 1-1, J Loran 0-3 (1 tp), R Maher 1-0, J Doran 1-0 (pen.), L Price 0-2 (1 ‘45’), R Keena and E Nally 0-1 each.

Ballinagore: Cathal Daly; Luke Seery, Enda Claffey, Conan Feery; Cathal Kelly, Peter Deegan, Robbie Keegan; Darragh Seery, Peter Reynolds; Eoin Robinson, Tommy McDaniel, David Keegan; Colin Coleman, Brandon Carey, Paddy Ennis.

Ballynacargy: Tommy Nally, Conor Keena, Eoin Nally, Mark Murphy; Seamus Gannon, Gary Fagan, Callum Maher; Troy Maher, Conor Byrne; Rhys Keena, Luke Price, Jack Doran; Philip Price, Ryan Maher, Jamie Loran. Sub: Wayne Kelly for R Keena (40).

Ref: Eoin Gorman (St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge).