Senior Football League
Division 1 Round 6
Ballymacelligott: 3-15(24) Daingean Uí Chúis: 0-14(14)
Prior to the SFL Division Round 6 game played in Ballymacelligott a Minute’s silence was observed for Ellen Clifford nee O’Shea who hailed from Ballymacelligott. Ellen was a great Ballymac supporter and was always a loyal supporter of her home club. She was a proud Mom bringing her sons and the Tom Markem Cup as well as Sam to her home club over the years. In a message read out by Club PRO Joanne Long, on behalf of Dermot Clifford and his family, he thanked the Club for their support for Ellen during her illness and the support shown to her family by the club in the past week. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.
As the Dingle PRO says “It was a fine day for football” in Ballymacelligott today. Our pitch was in excellent condition. Seventeen minutes into the first half Ballymac scored two goals on the trot and our goalie saved a goal opportunity on the other end. These four minutes were critical as they gave Ballymac confidence and momentum.
Dingle opened the scoring with a point from a free from Thomas Sheehy. Two points from Josh O’Keefe and Niall Collins for Ballymac followed by two from Conor Geaney and Conor Flannery for the Westerners. Dingle were moving well and had a shot at goal which was caught by Chrisy Leen in Ballymacs goall and cleared very fast -Ballymac worked the ball well and Dara Keane scored a point. Two points from Conor Geaney and Thomas Sheehy and Dingle were in the lead by two points with 15 minutes on the clock.
Tadhg Brick, who had the game of his life for Ballymac, popped up and caught a ball in the half-forward line and after a great run rattled the net. Brian Lonergan for Ballymac caught the ensuing kick out, and moved the ball quickly to Donal Daly who scored a second goal for the home side. Christy Leen in the Ballymac Goal made a vital save that kept Ballymac in the lead by four points with twelve minutes left in the half.
Dingle added to two points from Conor Geaney one from a free, to their tally before halftime. Ballymac saw another goal from Donal Daly and points from Aidan Breen, and Dara Keane (2) giving them a good lead at halftime.
Dingle turned over a lot of ball in the first half and failed to take advantage of their hard work. The game was closer than the scoreboard showed.
Half time score: Ballymacelligott: 3-6(15) Daingean Uí Chúis: 0-7(7)
Niall Collins opened the second half with three points on the trot. Conor Geaney added a point for Dingle and it was matched by Ballymacs Diarmuid Galvin. Dingle Goalie scored a fine point from a 45 before Ballymac captain Vinnie Horan scored a point from play. This left the score Ballymac 3-11 to Dingle 0-10 with fifteen minutes left on the clock.
The last fifteen minutes saw both teams as determined as ever. Aidan Breen scored a point from a 45 for the home side, and Gavin Curran scored another for Dingle. Cathal Dunne and Donal Daly scored a point each for Ballymac with five minutes to go and it looked like game over.
Dingle were still determined to get something from the game. To the player’s great credit, they battled on and scored three points before Michael Herlihy for Ballymac scored the last point of the game from a free.
Ballymac were delighted to see Tadhg Brick and Brian Lonergan lining out with both having the energy and enthusiasm that complimented the team so well. Niall Collins and Donal Daly were terrific in the forwards as were Dan Shea and Diarmuid Galvin in the backs.
It was heartening to see Dara Keane and Cian Counihan returning from injuries and making a fine contribution to this fine team effort.
Congratulations to Dan Shea and Anthony O’Leary who are two proud fathers of a new son each this week.
Ballymacelligott: 3-15(24) Daingean Uí Chúis: 0-14(14)
Ballymacelligott: Christy Leen, Michael Sweeney, Dan O Shea, Diarmuid Galvin, (0-1) Josh O Keeffe,(0-1) Tadhg Brick,(1-0)
Darragh Sweeney, Aidan Breen (0-1), Micheál Reidy, Niall Collins(0-4), Daire Keane(0-3), Adam
Sheehy, Donal Daly(2-1), Vinny Horan (Captain)(0-1) , Brian Lonergan
Substitutes used: Cathal Dunne (0-1), Cian Counihan, Michael Herlihy (0-1), Adam Joy, and Skye Lynch.
Daingean Uí Chúis: Gavin H Ó Curnáin (0-2), Conchubhar Ó Flannúra (0-1), Seán Óg Ó Móráin, Mícheál Ó Flannúra, Brian Ó Conchúir, Tomás Ó Súilleabháin, Pádraig Ó Riain, Darragh Ó Suilleabháin, Tadhg de Brún, Dylan Ó Géibheannaigh (0-1), Mícheál Ó Beoláin, Brian Ó Dubháin (0-1), Tomás Mac a’tSíthigh (0-3), Conchúir Ó Géibheannaigh, (C)(0-5) Críostóir Ó Catháin
Substitutes used: Niall Ó Flannúra,Eoghan de hÓra (0-1), Aaron Ó Conchúir, Seán Ó Conchúir
League Table after six Rounds of SFL 2023
