Dominant second half display sees Ballinagar overturn neighbours Cappincur
Ballinagar through to semi-finals but Cappincur face relegation final
BALLINAGAR 2-15
CAPPINCUR 2-8
A DOMINANT second half display saw Ballinagar overturn a five point deficit to defeat neighbours Cappincur by seven points in their final group game in the Offaly Senior 'B' football championship in Geashill on Friday evening.
Victory ensured Ballinagar finished second in the group with a place in the semi-finals already secured but defeat means Cappincur miss out on the semi-final spots and they will face Ballycumber in the relegation final in a bid to retain their place in the Senior 'B' Championship for next season.
When Cappincur led by 2-6 to 1-3 after 22 minutes of the game, few would have predicted the way the remainder of the game played out. Cappincur had played well in that opening period and were value for their lead. A draw would have been enough to get them into the semi-finals but they went for it in the opening half and looked the hungrier side for much of that period.
Ballinagar were already guaranteed a place in the last four before the throw in and they were a bit sloppy at times in the first half, giving the ball away and not making the most of their chances. But they were a transformed team after the interval and they took complete control of the game. They had to wait until the start of the final quarter before they finally took the lead but once they did they quickly edged away and were deserving winners at the final whistle.
Cappincur will be disappointed to have missed out on the semi-finals, particularly when they put themselves in such a good position early in the game. They finished the group on four points, level with Tullamore, but they missed out on the top four place on the head to head with Tullamore, who defeated Cappincur by seven points in their round two group game. They will have to regroup now for the relegation final against Ballycumber and hope that they can repeat their first round victory over them.
For Ballinagar attention will now turn towards the semi-finals and a meeting with Tubber, who they defeated comfortably in their first group game. But they can't take anything for granted as Tubber have bounced back well from defeats in their first two games with three wins on the trot and will go into the game with confidence.
Ballinagar won't be lacking confidence themselves either and will be happy with the way they came back in the second half of this game. They didn't play that badly in the first half and had chances to be closer than five points at half time but they missed some chances late in the half to narrow the gap.
It was a different story in the second half. They just took a grip on the game and subs introduced made an impact, particularly Conor Bracken and Oissinne Troy. They completely snuffed out the threat from Cappincur and enjoyed the bulk of the possession. From the end of the first half they scored 12 points without reply to take command of the game and they put the icing of the cake with their second goal in injury time.
When corner back Ollie Hayes netted Cappincur's second goal after 22 minutes, they looked to be in a strong position but, including first half injury time, it would take another 40 minutes before they registered another score. Indeed their only scores after that 22nd minute goal were two late frees and that kind of scoring isn't going to win a championship game.
Captain Jack Gorry had a fine game in defence for Ballinagar where Adam Joyce and Brian Malone were also prominent. Aaron Gorman and Alex Cuddy both did well in the middle of the field while in attack Robbie Gallagher led the way, assisted by Adam Mangan and sub Conor Bracken.
Ollie Hayes Brion Carroll and Diarmuid Carroll worked hard in the Cappincur defence, Eoin Carroll put in a big effort around the middle of the field and Sean Courtney and Jason Gethings did a lot of good work in attack.
It took five minutes for the first score to arrive when Ciaran Farrell pointed for Cappincur but Jacob Beatty quickly levelled from a free. Peter Norris then fired over a two pointer after a good move but the sides were level again after 10 minutes when Robbie Gallagher pointed a two point free from the edge of the arc.
Cappincur then strung a lovely move together but Sean Courtney's shot was diverted over the bar by goalkeeper Ryan Kinahan. Then when Ger Treacy was tripped after a high ball broke, referee Chris Dwyer awarded a penalty which Treacy himself dispatched coolly to the net. Eolin Carroll took a return pass from Sean Courtney to kick another point and it was 1-5 to 0-3 at the midway point of the first half.
From the kick out Aaron Gorman made a fine catch and immediately dispatched a long delivery into the path of Robbie Gallagher who raced on and fired a great shot to the far corner of the net. Ger Treacy then kicked a lovely point from a difficult angle and after 22 minutes they struck for their second goal. Brian Norris sent in a high ball, which was fielded by Jason Gethings and he transferred to corner back Ollie Hayes and he slotted the ball to the net and put Cappincur ahead by double scores, 2-6 to 1-3.
Ballinagar tried to steady the ship and Jacob Beatty's ball across the goalmouth was knocked over the bar by Aaron Gorman. Robbie Gallagher had two chances from frees from a similar position but both went wide and his side went in trailing by 2-6 to 1-4.
Ballinagar started the second half with purpose and Adam Mangan kicked a point after just 25 seconds. It took another seven minutes before Alex Cuddy added to that and Aidan Joyce then left just two in it. A lovely two pointer from Robbie Gallagher then levelled up matters after 12 minutes and Ballinagar were growing in stature. Cappincur were struggling to get any foothold and dropped a couple of chances they did have short.
Ballinagar went in front for the first time after 46 minutes when Jamie Ballesty pointed from a difficult angle and Robbie Gallagher quickly added another. Sub Adam Strong kicked another point and with five minutes left Robbie Gallagher pushed the lead out to four points from a 13m free. Morgan Tynan was on target from another free and Robbie Gallagher popped over another as the lead went out to six points.
Two minutes from the end of normal time Cappincur got their first score of the half from a Peter Norris free and he quickly added a second. But Ballinagar had the last say when Robbie Gallagher delivered a good ball to Conor Bracken and he finished to the net. Brian Norris did have a late effort for Cappincur but his effort was saved by Ryan Kinahan and Ballinagar had seven points to spare at the final whistle.
MATCH ANALYSIS
THE TEAMS
BALLINAGAR: Ryan Kinahan; Kevin Beirne, Declan Crombie, Evan Gorman; Jack Gorry, Brian Malone, Adam Joyce; Aaron Gorman, Alex Cuddy; Craig Strong, Jack Sheil, Adam Mangan; Jacob Beatty, Robbie Gallagher, Jamie Ballesty. Subs. Conor Bracken (for Jacob Beatty, 36 mins), Oissinne Troy (for Craig Strong, 36 mins), Adam Strong (for Jack Sheil, 47 mins), Morgan Tynan (for Jamie Ballesty, 55 mins), Sean Cuskelly (for Adam Mangan, 58 mins).
CAPPINCUR: Peter Daly; Ollie Hayes, Darragh Norris, Hubert Healion; Brion Carroll, Diarmuid Carroll, Sean Graham; Eoin Carroll, Adam Galvin; Ciaran Farrell, Sean Courtney, Brian Norris; Ger Treacy, Jason Gethings, Peter Norrris. Subs. Igor Daly (for Sean Graham, 41 mins), Michael Fitzgerald (for Ciaran Farrell, 54 mins).
REFEREE: Chris Dwyer
MAN OF THE MATCH
I've gone with Ballinagar's Robbie Gallagher, who finished the game with a tally of 1-7. Indeed that tally should have been greater as he kicked two frees wide before half time and also missed a couple of other chances, but it wasn't all about his scoring. His work rate around the field was excellent and he combined well with his colleagues in a strong all round performance.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
There were a couple of great goals in this game and I've gone with Cappincur's second goal as it was a well worked move. Sean Courtney and Brian Norris combined out the field with the latter sending a high ball goalwards. Jason Gethings did a great job to field the high ball and he picked out the run of corner back Ollie Hayes and he slotted the ball to the net for a lovely score..
REFEREE WATCH
Chris Dwyer did a very good job. He was up with the play, spoke to the players to explain decisions, and was in control at all times. He got all the main decisions right and wasn't a factor in the outcome of the game.
WHAT’S NEXT
Ballinagar advance to the semi-finals where they will meet Tubber, while Cappincur face into a relegation play off against Ballycumber to avoid the drop back to intermediate level.
VENUE WATCH
The Geashill pitch looked very well for this contest, which attracted a good sized crowd to see the clash of neibhgours. The host club had plenty of stewards on duty to look after parking and the contest ran off very smoothly.
STATISTICS
Wides; Ballinagar 8 (4 in first half) Cappincur 4 (2 in first half)
Yellow Cards: Ballinagar 2 (Declan Crombie, Oissinne Troy) Cappincur 0
Black Cards: None
Red Cards: None.
THE SCORERS
Ballinagar; Robbie Gallagher (1-7, 1 x 2p, 1 x 2p free, 0-1 free), Conor Bracken (1-0), Jacob Beatty (free), Aaron Gorman, Adam Mangan, Alex Cuddy, Adam Joyce, Jamie Ballesty, Adam Strong, Morgan Tynan (free) (0-1 each).
Cappincur; Ger Treacy (1-1, 1-0 penalty), Peter Norris (0-4, 1 x 2p, 0-2 frees), Ollie Hayes (1-0), Ciaran Farrell, Sean Courtney, Eoin Carroll (0-1 each).