Senior Football League 
Division 1 Round 7
Castleisland Desmonds 1-11 Ballymacelligott: 3-12
Shortly before the referee blew the final whistle on Sunday Ballymacelligott’s Michael Herlihy had scored the last point of the game securing the fifth win on the trot and 10 points on the league table for this hard-working team.
The hosts started the game with all guns blazing and but for two good block downs could have more on the scoreboard before Tomas Lynch scored a point.
Two points from Daire Keane and Aidan Breen (F) gave Ballymac the lead. Another point from Desmonds Cian O’Connor and they kept the pressure up. A point-blank save by full-back Dan Shea was a great relief to the visitors and followed by a great interception by Tadhg Brick who passed to Vinnie Horan and the foul on Vinnie resulted in a point when Aidan Breen took the free.
Fifteen minutes on the clock and the visitors had the minimum lead. Aidan Breen and Cathal Dunne were winning the kick outs and it showed. Niall Collins got a sweet pass from Daire Keane and scored a point followed by a point from Adam Joy and Vinnie Horan.
Desmonds then had a glorious ten minutes and scored four points without reply and the teams were level. Then in the 28th minute, Dan Shea caught a great ball in the back line, passed it to Tadhg Brick who moved it on and transferred it to Vinnie Horan who shot for goal. The shot was saved but Vinnie was there for the return and made no mistake and rattled the back of the net. Two more points followed for Ballymac from Daire Keane and Dan Shea to give the half-time score: Castleisland Desmonds 0-06 to Ballymacelligott 1-08.
Ballymac added two points from Niall Collins and one from Aidan Breen and Desmonds added three before Desmonds Adam O’Donoghue scored a goal with 15 minutes left.
A quick point from the home side and the score was 1-10 to 1-11. This was a critical juncture for both teams. Neither wanted to relent and the play was furious. Desmonds were down to 14 due to a black card. Adam Sheehy missed a goal chance and Brian Lonergan caught a vital ball at the Ballymac goalmouth.
Shortly after Niall Collins was taken down, the result was a goal from Adam Sheehy after many passes.
Desmonds replied with a point before Michael Herlihy caught a vital ball in the Ballymac half-back line and passed to Captain Vinnie Horan who saw Daire Keane free and another goal for Ballymac ensued. The final point of the game was scored from play by Michael Herlihy. Final Score: Castleisland Desmonds 1-11 Ballymacelligott: 3-12
This was a great team display. Everyone played their part. The backs were outstanding with Dan Shea having an excellent game and Cian Couhinan working tirelessly off the ball and making his mark mainly in the second half. Aidan Breen and Cathal Dunne were masterful at center field and all the forwards worked well. This squad of players and management have worked hard all year and it’s just great to be second on the Div 1 table.
Ballymacelligott: Christy Leen, Michael Sweeney, Dan O Shea (0-1), Diarmuid Galvin, Josh O Keeffe, Tadhg Brick,
Cian Counihan, Aidan Breen (0-3), Cathal Dunne, Niall Collins(0-3), Daire Keane(1-2), Adam
Sheehy (1-0), Adam Joy (0-1), Vinny Horan (Captain)(1-1), Brian Lonergan
Substitutes used: Michael Herlihy (0-1), Brian Cassidy & Conor Brick.
League Table at bottom of page
Thanks to each and every one of our supporters who came out to support the team.
These are some photos from the day. (The photographer forgot to focus properly for most.)
LEAGUE TABLE AFTER ROUND 6 OF COUNTY LEAGUE 2023
Match Program:
