Efficiency key for effective Ballymore

Efficiency was key for Ballymore in staying unbeaten after two rounds of the championship in Ballinacarigy last Saturday evening.

Both teams came into this game without a loss and something had to give. Both early and late starts were key for Ballymore. They had a whirlwind start when Brian Finnerty had the ball in the Ballinagore net after 20 seconds. They also finished strong with a late goal from Ivan Smyth.

Both teams scored early goals, 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 they continued to make unforced errors in possession, coughing up hard earned custody of the ball and Ballymore were far the more efficient side, 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. Finnerty’s early goal set them on the way and with Eoin McCabe impressive at midfield, they opened up a 1-3 to 0-1 ascendancy by the 15th minute. Ronan McLoughlin and Finnerty kicked points in that first quarter. Ballinagore also got an early goal from midfielder Eoin Robinson and talisman Tommy McDaniel kicked a point but it was Ballymore 1-5 Ballinagore 1-3 at half time.

After the turnaround, Ballinagore enjoyed the strengthening wind, scoring points four without reply, and looked odds on to go on and win the game. Brandon Carey, Darragh Seery, then Carey with another and Philip Reynolds’ fisted point had them 1-7 to 1-5 in the ascendancy for the first time in the game.

They looked likely winners at that stage but Ballymore showed their character and capability.

Ballinagore didn’t make use of their possession, they were on top for all of the third quarter, but they over-passed the ball and didn’t punish their opponents. Ballymore were the opposite, every attack they came away with something. Finnerty started the revival when he swung over a 45 and then the key score of the game. It was midfielder Smyth that got the goal and then Mark Scally, Finnerty and substitutes Colm O’Rourke and Derek Molloy all kicked scores to see out the win.

Scorers:

Ballymore B Finnerty 1-5 (1-45), I Smyth 1-0, R McLoughlin, O McCabe, M Scally, C O’Rourke and Derek Molloy 0-1 each.

Ballinagore T McDaniel 0-3 (2f), E Robinson 1-0, P Reynolds 0-2, B Carey 0-2, C Coleman and D Seery 0-1 each.

Ballymore Conor McNeill, Darragh Monaghan, Brian McCabe, Daniel Ennis, Shane Kencaid, Jack Kearney, Mark Scally, Owen McCabe, Ivan Smyth, David Jelistratovs, John Gilligan, Enna Keena, Ronan McLoughlin, Eoin Ryan, Brian Finnerty. Subs Derek Molloy, Seamus Keena and Colm O’Rourke.

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. Subs Paddy Ennis.

Referee Brendan Keena