Ballycommon let it slip as Clonbullogue show real character to survive in thrilling shootout

AN epic Senior “B” Football Championship final full of twists and turns on Sunday ended with Clonbullogue coming back from the dead to snatch a draw against a Ballycommon side, who more or less threw it away in the heel of the hunt.

Tullamore Court Hotel Senior “B” Football Championship final

Ballycommon 1-15

Clonbullogue 2-12

A beautifully struck Keith O'Neill free four minutes into injury time gave a very relieved Clonbullogue a second chance and Ballycommon will now have to pick themselves up for the replay which be on next weekend, most likely back in O'Connor Park on Saturday.

That free was a kamikaze one from Ballycommon who had been awarded a free out on their own 40 metre line. At that stage Clonbullogue were down to fourteen men as Shane O'Brien had been black carded a few moments earlier for a foul on David Dempsey. Karl Dunne, who had worked so hard and diligently as Ballycommon got into a winning position, hestitated for too long as he looked for a man. When none broke free, instead of booting the ball forward, he took the completely wrong option by lofting a high ball forty metres back for his own goalkeeper Paul Scally, who had Lee Dempsey in close to him.

Dempsey was able to break the ball and in the ensuing scramble, Clonbullogue were awarded a free in that Keith O'Neill showed nerves of steel to point – it was a tremendous kick by O'Neill, who hadn't been in the game as much as he would have liked.

Apart from that last free, Ballycommon should have got home. They were five points up, 1-14 to 1-9, with five minutes left and in complete control. Michael Conneely missed a good chance to put them six up but it didn't look like it would matter at that stage. Somehow, Clonbullogue found the strength to come back. A pivotal moment was switching Jack McEvoy into full forward and he was instrumental in their revival.

The Offaly midfielder got a 55th minute point and then set up Lee Dempsey for a 58th minute goal as the Ballycommon defence fell asleep and stood off him. McEvoy then brilliantly won a mark to level it up in the 60th minute. That black card for O'Brien resulted in a 62nd minute free that the outstanding Ryan Kenny floated over the bar. Ballycommon tried to play keep ball after this as they hung on for dear life but they eventually shot themselves in the foot.

While Clonbullogue had played outstanding football in the second quarter, Ballycommon were the better side over the course of the hour plus and really should have won it. The woodwork denied them of 1-2 and they had been the better side by a long distance for a good 25-28 minutes of the second half but still couldn't win it.

It was a very exciting game of football and Ballycommon were unlucky not to make a dream start when Christopher Kenny hit the post with a goal shot in the 2nd minute. Brian Todd and Ryan Kenny almost got a goal in the one movement moments later, though the excellent Todd should probably have tapped it over the bar.

Despite that Ballycommon were controlling the game with David Dempsey showing his quality on the ball and they were full value for their 0-4 to 0-2 lead after thirteen minutes. Then Clonbullogue clicked into life, going on a rampage that yielded five on the trot for a 0-7 to 0-5 lead. A brilliantly taken Ruari O'Neill goal in the 33rd minute gave them a 1-8 to 0-5 half time lead, though the interval whistle should have been blown as it was well over the announced two minutes of injury time – unless the wrong time was announced and that has happened at games. O'Neill had been down injured a few minutes earlier but took off like a train when the ball broke and finished very well.

At that stage, Clonbullogue were clear masters and Ballycommon had been guilty of playing some very stagnant, methodical, cagey football. It was a different story in the second half as they got on top in all sectors. Brian Todd ran the midfield battle and Conor Dunne channeled a huge volume of ball through his hands – he was too far from goals to pose his usual scoring threat but that was the role he was given by Ballycommon on this occasion.

Ryan Kenny caused huge problems inside and Ballycommon got the first five points to bring it back to a point by the 42nd minute. Sean Foran settled Clonbullogue with a point but Ballycommon found another gear. Kenny and Brian Todd pointed and impressive sub, Sean Conway put them 1-12 to 1-9 ahead with a super 45th minute goal after Kenny sent him in.

Ryan Kenny and Gareth Mann (free) put Ballycommon 1-14 to 1-9 ahead after 47 minutes and it was theirs to lose, which they almost did!!

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Ryan Kenny (Ballycommon): It is a sign of Ballycommon's superiority that most of the man of the match contenders were in blue jersies. Chulainn Boland, Conor Dunne and Brian Todd staked powerful claims but Ryan Kenny was the most influential player on the field. He got 8 points, three from play, and showed very well for ball. He was lively, linked well with colleagues and was very aware of what was going on around him. He set up other chances and Clonbullogue never got to grips with him. Jack McEvoy was a major factor in Clonbullogue surviving when he went in full forward while Ruari O'Neill was superb for them in the second quarter and David Dempsey caught the eye in their defence.

THE SCORERS

Ballycommon: Ryan Kenny 0-8 (5f), Sean Conway 1-0, Christopher Kenny (2f) Gareth Mann (1f) and Stephen Conneely 0-2 each, Brian Todd 0-1.

Clonbullogue: Ruari O'Neill 1-1, Jack McEvoy (1 mark) and Keith O'Neill (1 mark and 1 free) 0-3 each, Lee Dempsey 1-0, Jamie Guing 0-2, David Dempsey, Sean Foran and Shane O'Brien 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

BALLYCOMMON: Paul Scally; David Dempsey, Aidan Bracken, Matthew Dempsey; Chulainn Boland, Barry Bracken, Michael Conneely; Brian Todd, Dylan Martin; Karl Dunne, Gareth Mann, Stephen Conneely; Ryan Kenny, Christopher Kenny, Conor Dunne. Subs – Sean Conway for Christopher Kenny (HT), Donal Scally for Mann (55m), TJ Bermingham for Martin (62m).

CLONBULLOGUE: Cian Corcoran; Diarmaid O'Neill, Jamie Quinn, David Dempsey; Harry Judge, Peter Byrne, Ian Curry; Eddie Bennett, Jack McEvoy; Daryl Quinn, Ruari O'Neill,Sean Foran; Jamie Guing, Lee Dempsey, Keith O'Neill. Subs – Shane O'Brien for Eddie Bennett, inj.(16m), Peter Bennett for Daryl Quinn (35m), Shane Furey for Judge (35m), Eoghan Kinsella for Curry (48m), Joe Foran for Sean Foran (48m).

Referee – Marius Stones (Clara).

REFEREE WATCH

Marius Stones refereed the final well, handling it with customary efficiency and fairness – he did allow over a minute more than the announced injury time at half time and this was crucial as Ruari O'Neill got his goal in this period and the half time whistle probably should have been blown. Clonbullogue were not happy with some of the frees given against them but there was no disputing his impartiality – he was observant and he did punish some off the ball fouling by Clonbullogue.

There is, however, a major issue with the way the big finals have been dispensed this year. The four main finals, senior football (Chris Dwyer), senior “B” football (Marius Stones), senior hurling (Brian Gavin) and senior “B” hurling (Joey Deehan) have all been given to Clara men.

The four referees are all very competent officials and this comment is not in any way about their ability. And full marks to Clara club, who provide more referees than anyone else and it reflects very positively on the culture there that the above four are all capable of refereeing the biggest game in Offaly but the appointment of all four in the one year is hugely questionable.

It doesn't look good that all four finals have gone to referees from the same club and it isn't good. It hasn't gone down well with a good few of their colleagues, it doesn't encourage them and the Competitions Control Committee should have ensured a better spread, giving other referees and clubs a chance to get a look in. Chris Dwyer had been a long time looking for a senior football final and deserved his chance but Marius Stones did the senior football final last year and it is very important to give newer referees, who haven't had the opportunity before, a chance at the different levels.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Keith O'Neill's equalising free was the big moment here.

VENUE WATCH

The very favourable recent weather helped have the O'Connor Park pitch in pristine condition and good crowd created a real championship atmosphere.

TALKING POINT

Ballycommon had three players involved in an All-Ireland League game for Tullamore Rugby Club on Friday evening with Tullamore captain Barry Bracken receiving the player of the match award after their defeat by Galweigians. Irrespective of what position you take on the rights and wrongs of that and the entitlement of players to play what they want, their allegiance to other codes and clubs perogative and right to deal with it according to their own needs, it will be debated by plenty in Ballycommon this week as they wonder how they didn't close out the game – Ballycommon centre half back, Bracken in particular did appear to tire late on, though Clonbullogue certainly did not go through the centre of defence softly at any stage and he is very much a key player for them. Karl Dunne and Conor Dunne also appeared to tire in the closing minutes but whatever about one being absent, Ballycommon certainly could not win this game without all three. Conor Dunne was very close to man of the match and Karl Dunne also played very well, apart from that late free. Those players also have a big dilemma on their hand next weekend as the replay is on Saturday when Tullamore are scheduled to play away in Tyrone in the AIL.

WHAT'S NEXT

The sides replay next Saturday with the winners away to the Louth champions in the Leinster Club IFC the following weekend.

STATISTICS

Wides: Ballycommon - 5 (3 in first half); Clonbullogue – 4 (2 in first half).

Yellow cards: Ballycommon – 1 (Karl Dunne); Clonbullogue – 3 (Jack McEvoy, Lee Dempsey and Shane Furey).

Black cards: Ballycommon – 0; Clonbullogue – 1 (Shane O'Brien).

Red cards: 0.