BALLYMAC 3—9 CASTLEGREGORY 2—10
The Central Region competition which began in June came to a conclusion last Tuesday evening in the Mitchel’s complex. When these teams have met previously there has been little between them, and so it was again on this occasion. Fine displays by Tomas O’ Connor, Micheal Reidy, and Dara Keane helped us to a narrow win at the end of a tough physical encounter. Even though we were 8 points up at the break, 9 ahead midway through the 2nd half, our opponents scored 1-4 without reply in the final quarter to set up a very anxious finish.
Both sides pointed early on Tomas our scorer. Daire Keane brought off a fine catch in midfield and sent Eoin O’ Malley on his way goal ward. Continuing his run Eoin took a return pass from Max O’ Brien and finished to the net. Tomas converted a free after Daire Keane was fouled and Liam O’ Malley played Dara Reagan in for another point. Castle again pointed before a strong challenge by Tadhg Brick stopped them in their tracks. Micheal won possession and passed to Barry Lyons who pointed. Brian Lonergan pointed from a 45 with ease and this was followed when Tomas sent in a high ball which was flicked to the net by Keelan Brosnan. Our opponents responded by scoring two more points. Barry then won possession and passed to Dara Reagan who was fouled and converted the free himself to leave the half time score 2—06 to 0—04 in our favour.
Castlegregory started the second half all fired up and goaled straight from the throw in and this was quickly followed by another point. We responded when ML. Reidy drove forward and put Daire Keane through for a point. Tadhg moved up field, passed to Barry who goaled from a very tight angle. Tomas again won possession and sent ML. Reidy goal ward adding on another point. Castle again pointed and Keelan was fouled as he drove forward, Dara Reagan pointing from the free. We were now 9 points ahead but Castle had no intention of giving in. A misplaced pass allowed our opponents in for an easy goal followed by two further points. Fine defending by Eddie Rodgers, David Long and Gary Horan kept Castle at bay for the next 10 minutes while Ballymac also missed a few scoring chances. With time almost up Castle pointed from a free, and did likewise minutes later.
From the kick out referee Paul Hayes blew the final whistle, much to the relief of the vocal Ballymac support.
After the game captain Gary Horan accepted the Kelliher’s Garage sponsored trophy and thanked mentors Tony, Martin, Willie, and Aidan for their work during the year. Interestingly when the same teams met previously in a league final at under 14 level the result was 3—9 to 2—9 in our favour.
TEAM &SCORERS: B Lonergan (0-1), D Long, G Horan (Capt.) E Rodgers, E O’Malley (1-0), ML. Reidy (0-1), T. Brick, T O’ Connor (0-2), M O’Brien, J. McDonnell, D. Keane (0-1) L. O’Malley, B. Lyons (1-1), K. Brosnan (1-0), D. Reagan (0-3)
SUBS J. O’Keeffe, M. Hoare, C. Lowe, P. O’Donnell, D. Chawke, C. Dunne.