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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Pauric Gill on the attack for Fr Manning Gaels in facing the challenge of Ballymahon opponent Shane Bawle. Action from the IFC Round 5 game at Allen Park Photo: Gerry Rowley
Fr Manning Gaels . . . 1-13 Ballymahon . . . 1-4
Brilliant goals from defenders Darragh Finlass and Paul McGee were the highlights of an otherwise dour battle at Allen Park in Newtownforbes on Thursday night as Fr Manning Gaels beat Ballymahon with considerable ease.
Generally considered to be serious title contenders, Niall Sheridan’s side cruised into the Intermediate Football Championship semi-finals with the wide margin of 9 points separating the sides in the finish.
Ballymahon were ahead for a brief period after centre-half-back Darragh Finlass weaved his way through to blast an unstoppable shot past the opposing keeper Paddy Collum in the 13th minute.
Trailing by a point, the superior Drumlish/Ballinamuck outfit dominated the remainder of the first half to build up a comfortable 1-7 to 1-1 lead at the break with corner-back Paul McGee jetting off on a penetrating run that yielded a cracking goal in the 17th minute.
Inspired by the pace and power of Pauric Gill who fired over a total of 4 points (all from play), the Gaels consolidated their tight grip on the game in the second half to win their fourth game in the group.
The pressure is mounting on Ballymahon who are facing the fear of relegation to the Junior Championship with two more difficult games remaining in the Hennessy Cup against Sean Connolly’s and St Brigid’s Killashee.
FR MANNING GAELS: Paddy Collum; Paul McGee (1-0), JP Farrelly (0-1), Cian Murphy; Kaelum Gill, Mark Hughes (0-1), Dean Cosgrave; Mark Breslin (0-1), Sean Whelan; Jamie Nertney (0-3, 2 frees), Conor Keenan, David Collum; Pauric Gill (0-4), Martin Cassidy (0-1), Cian Cassidy (0-2).
Subs:- Cian Brady for C Murphy (half-time); Ryan Crowe for M Cassidy (49 mins); Kevin Whelan for D Collum (52 mins); Cathal Quinn for P McGee (53 mins).
BALLYMAHON: Keith Manley; Chris Killian, Ros Claffey, Wayne Higgins; Harvey Townsend, Darragh Finlass (1-0), Paddy Connaughton (0-1); John Nevin, Shane Bawle; Shane Quinn, Johnny Borland, Finn Heneghan; Danny Ryan, Jack Walshe (0-3, all frees), Emmet Finn.
Subs:- Daniel Steele for F Heneghan and Ronan Burke for W Higgins (both in the 44th minute); Joe Nevin for E Finn (53 mins).
Referee: John Cullen (Mostrim).
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