Longford IFC: Ballymore knock Cashel out to reach the Hennessy Cup semi-finals

Ballymore . . . 2-11   Cashel . . . 1-8

After showing a lot of promise to win the Junior ‘A’ Championship title last year, Ballymore are making great progress in the Intermediate grade this season and are now through to the Hennessy Cup semi-finals.  

Their surprise place in the last four of the Tier 2 Championship was confirmed in some style at Michael Fay Park on Saturday evening last as Dermot Murphy’s side produced a strong second half display to knock Cashel out with the comfortable margin of six points to spare in the finish.   

Trailing by 1-6 to 1-5 at the break with Mattie Gorman scoring the goal, Ballymore (minus the injured Bernard McElvaney) took over completely on the changeover and their vastly experienced forward Damien Monaghan raced through to finish the ball to the net in the 41st minute.

That proved to be a shattering blow for disappointing Cashel who only managed to register a couple of points in the second half and the slick Ballymore attack kept the scoreboard ticking over to reach the last four. 

BALLYMORE: Mattie McCrann; Ben Creegan, Cian O’Hara, Luke Sheridan; Ciaran Fahy, David Reilly (0-1, free), John Boyle; Mel Creegan, Donal McElvaney; Gavin O’Hara (0-1), Rian Browne, Padraig Boyle; Oisin Flynn (0-2), Mattie Gorman (1-3, 1f), Damen Monaghan (1-4, 2f). 

Subs:- Philip Dawson for B Creegan (injured, 44 mins); John Gorman for D McElvaney (injured, 46 mins); Alex Slevin for Cian O’Hara (injured, 51 mins); Peter Walker for C Fahy (60 mins); Vincent Walker for O Flynn (stoppage time). 

CASHEL: Conor Skelly; Luke O’Boyle, Niall Casey, Dan O’Shea; Aidan Mulvihill, Mel Farrell, Jack Sweeney (0-1); Conor Flood (0-1), David Sweeney (0-1); Jamie Bermingham, Aidan Rowan, Rian O’Boyle; Conor Murtagh (1-3, 2f), Padraic Syron (0-1), Conor Farrell (0-1).

Subs:- Brian Kelly for A Mulvihill (37 mins); Andrew Farrell for J Bermingham (41 mins); Emmet Murtagh and Ronan Farrell for P Syron and A Rowan (54 mins).

Referee: Tony Gaffney (Mostrim).

IFC Semi-Finals 

Sean Connolly’s v Ballymore or St Brigid’s Killashee

Fr Manning Gaels v St Brigid’s Killashee or Ballymore 

Remaining Round 7 Fixture

Tuesday 24 September

Pairc Chiaran, Newtowncashel: Ballymahon v St Brigid’s Killashee, 8pm

A must win match for Ballymahon who will avoid relegation if they beat Killashee and will survive on the head-to-head regulation against Cashel who will drop down instead to join Ardagh Moydow in the Junior Championship next year.