Dramatic injury time goal seals hard earned win for Ballinagar as St Brigid's comeback falls short

A GOAL deep in injury time sealed a dramatic late victory for Ballinagar over St Brigid's in the semi-final of the Offaly Intermediate Football Championship in Rhode on Saturday evening and sent them through to a final meeting with neighbours Raheen.

Tullamore Court Hotel Intermediate Football Semi-Final

BALLINAGAR 1-11

ST BRIGID'S 0-10

Ballinagar had dominated much of the proceedings and had gone five points clear with seven minutes left but a fast finishing St Brigid's hit four points in a row to cut the lead to the minimum before substitute Jamie Ballasty finished a good move to the net to clinch their place in the decider.

St Brigid's went into the game as favourites having topped their group with an unbeaten record, including a nine point victory over Ballinagar in a group game, but they had to give second best on this occasion to a fiercely determined Ballinagar side who hit the ground running from the very start and took the game to their opponents.

After taking an early lead Ballingar never relinquished their advantage, although they were hanging on a little bit in the closing stages when St Brigid's did eat into their lead. They scored the first two points of the game and after St Brigid's pulled one back, Ballinagar hit a purple spell to go 0-6 to 0-1 ahead by the midway point in the half. Scores were a little scarcer in the second quarter but Ballinagar still held a five point half time advantage, 0-8 to 0-3.

St Brigid's came more into the game in the second half and cut the lead to three points 11 minutes in but Ballingar rallied to go five clear again after 53 minutes and they looked well on their way to the final but St Brigid's fought back to leave one in it with a minute of normal time plus five of injury time still to come. But the decisive score was that Ballingar goal which sets up a juicy 'derby' final against Raheen.

Ballinagar started this game well and played really well in the first half. They looked much sharper on the ball and they combined very well as a team. They put good pressure on St Brigid's when they were in possession and won a number of turnovers that way. They turned defence into attack at speed and picked off a number of good scores in that manner.

They marshalled the St Brigid's danger men well, double marking Cian Donoghue at times, and at least four times in the first half St Brigid's pumped high ball into their full forward line but Ballinagar outnumbered the attackers and mopped up the ball.

St Brigid's will be very disappointed with the outcome. They particularly struggled to make an impact in the opening half and attacks often broke down too easily. They were a different team in the second half and enjoyed a lot more possession but had to work hard to get any scores until that late burst when they hit four in five minutes.

They looked to have real momentum at that stage and the possibility of snatching victory or at least sending the game to extra time was very real but crucially they dropped three efforts short in that latter period as well before Ballingar struck for their goal.

Diarmuid Finneran was solid at full back for Ballinagar with Jack Gorry and Brian Malone also catching the eye in defence. Adam Strong and Morgan Tynan impressed around the middle of the field while Geordi O'Meara was the star of the attack where Robbie Gallagher and Ray Daly also made an impact.

Liam Fox had a good game in goals for St Brigid's, with one particularly fine save in the first half. Conor Davidson, Dillon Donoghue and Cameron Egan worked hard in defence with Alan Scally fighting hard in the middle of the field. In attack Dan Molloy, Bob Troy and Cian Donoghue tried hard.

It took five minutes for the first score to arrive when a quick break by Ballinagar led to a Geordi O'Meara point. Ray Daly added a free before St Brigid's got off the mark with a good point from the right by Dan Molloy. Robbie Gallagher with a mark and frees from Ray Daly and Morgan Tynan stretched the Ballinagar lead before Geordi Murphy finished a good move with a point to leave them 0-6 to 0-1 ahead midway through the first half.

Ballingar had two goal chances in quick succession which they failed to convert. First Ray Daly put Robbie Gallagher in on goals but Liam Fox advanced and blocked his shot at close range and just over a minute later a four man move ended with Ray Daly having the chance but he dragged his shot just wide of the posts. St Brigid's then pointed a free through Dan Molloy and one wondered was the momentum changing?

But Ballinagar stood firm and Geordi O'Meara and Ray Daly (free) extended their lead to six points before Bob Troy kicked a good point in injury time to leave Ballinagar 0-8 to 0-3 in front at half time.

Another Dan Molloy free shaved another point off the lead two minutes into the second half but Ballingar responded with a well taken Geordi O'Meara point. Thomas Mooney and Cian Donoghue (free) cut the gap to three but Morgan Tynan kicked a lovely point to leave four between them again

Ten minutes passed withoout a score for either side before Morgan Tynan found the range again and Ballinagar were five points clear with seven minutes left. But St Brigid's were never going to give up without a fight and Liam Fox pointed a '45' after Cameron Egan's shot had been saved by Ryan Kinahan. Egan then kicked a good point himself and when Dan Molloy pointed a free St Brigid's sensed that they might be able to pull the game out of the fire.

Thomas Mooney pointed to leave one in it with a minute left of normal time and the game hanging in the balance. Then three minutes into injury time Ballinagar broke and Jack Sheil and Morgan Tynan were involved in the move before the latter sent the ball across the square and Jamie Ballasty palmed the ball to the net for the match clinching score.

MATCH ANALYSIS

THE TEAMS

BALLINAGAR: Ryan Kinahan; Jack Gorry, Diarmuid Finneran, Declan Crombie; Aaron Gorman, Brian Malone, Adam Joyce; Adam Strong, Morgan Tynan; Jacob Beatty, Geordi O'Meara, Jack Sheil; Conor Bracken, Ray Daly, Robbie Gallagher. Subs. Jamie Ballesty (for Jacob Beatty, 48 mins), Steven Dwane (for Ray Daly, 58 mins), Conor McGuinness (for Adam Strong, 64 mins).

ST BRIGID'S: Liam Fox; Ronan Swords, Conor Davidson, Dillon Donoghue; Ethan Hannon, Cameron Egan, Conor Casey; Alan Scally, Sean Briody; Liam Cocoman, James Lynch, Thomas Mooney; Cian Donoghue, Dan Molloy, Bob Troy. Subs. Shay Hannon (for Conor Casey, 15 mins), Dean Kennedy (for James Lynch, 36 mins), Aaron McDermott (for Sean Briody, 43 mins), Aaron Kennedy (for Bob Troy, 49 mins), Rob Hoey (for Ethan Hannon, 49 mins).

REFEREE: Chris Dwyer (Clara)

MAN OF THE MATCH

In an excellent team display by Ballinagar, captain Geordi O'Meara gets the vote for really leading by example. He kicked four points from play, his work rate was excellent throughout – dispossessing opponents on a number of occasions, and he was constantly in the thick of the action in a fine all round display.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Ballinagar's injury time goal was the decisive moment of the game. Having seen a five point lead whittled down to one, Ballinagar were hanging on desperately when a good break up the field led to Morgan Tynan sending a pass across the goalmouth and Jamie Ballasty finishing the ball to the net to send his side into the final.

REFEREE WATCH

Chris Dwyer was always on top of things. An early yellow card set out the stall and he moved frees up for both sides for dissent. He also penalised both sides for overcarrying and was strong and consistent in his rulings.

WHAT’S NEXT

Ballinagar advance to the intermediate final where they will meet parish rivals Raheen. St Brigid's will have to go back and lick their wounds and try again next year to get back up the ranks.

VENUE WATCH

Rhode put in a big effort to host the game. Parking was very well organised on their roadside pitch with plenty of stewards ensuring that everyone parked smoothly and got back out again afterwards. The playing pitch was in very good order. The floodlights possibly could have been turned on a bit earlier and a few lights not working on one of the pylons left a bit of a dark patch on one area of the field, but overall they hosted the game very well.

STATISTICS

Wides; Ballinagar 5 (3 in first half) St Brigid's 5 (1 in first half)

Yellow Cards: Ballinagar 1 (Jack Sheil) St Brigid's 1 (Sean Briody)

Black Cards: None

Red Cards: None

THE SCORERS

Ballinagar; Geordi O'Meara (0-4), Morgan Tynan (0-3, 0-1 free), Ray Daly (0-3, frees), Jamie Ballasty (1-0) Robbie Gallagher (0-1, mark).

St Brigid's; Dan Molloy (0-4, 0-3 frees), Thomas Mooney (0-2), Bob Troy, Cian Donoghue (free), Liam Fox ('45'), Cameron Egan (0-1 each).