Longford IFC: Ballymahon get the better of Kenagh

Ballymahon made a bright winning start in the Intermediate Football Championship when they overcame the challenge of neighbouring rivals Kenagh in the Group B Round 1 game at Pairc Chiaran in Newtowncashel on Saturday evening.

Ballymahon . . . 0-14    Kenagh . . . 0-10

Ballymahon bossed  the opening exchanges as they kicked 4 points without reply in the first quarter through Jack Walshe (free and play), Shane Quinn and Kevin Diffley. Philip Quinn’s side dominated the kickouts which allowed them to create various attacks. 

They then received a blow as attacker Joe Nevin was sent off through a straight red card after a high challenge on Kenagh full-back Graham Forbes and the reds were left with 14 players on the pitch.

Kenagh got their first score on the board after 17 minutes as Josh Kelly shot over the bar. Then a Ballymahon point was controversially not given as the ball rebounded off the barrier behind the crossbar and Kenagh drove out of defence to score through Shane Farrell.

Both sides had chances to finish off the first half as the scoreboard read 0-8 to 0-4 in favour of Ballymahon at the break. 

Ballymahon’s defence was impressive, particularly Ronan Burke and Ros Claffey in the full-back-line. Claffey limited county star Keelin McGann to a solitary point during the course of the game.

Kenagh made good use of the wind advantage in the second half as points from Josh Kelly and substitute Thomas McGann closed the gap. 

But Ballymahon continued their reign in the midfield sector as they were first to the majority of the breaks. 

Shane Farrell added another point for Malachy Gately’s charges to keep the pressure on with corner back Harry Byrne registering another Kenagh score.

Soon after a Dan Galvin 2 pointer was disallowed as Kenagh breached the 3 man back rule. But less than a minute later, Kenagh would eventually get their two pointer through a spectacular Cormac McGann effort to leave a point between the sides with 5 minutes left on the clock.

 Ballymahon powered on in the closing stages as Kevin Diffley, Paddy Connaughton and Danny Ryan all registered points to clinch a vital win for Ballymahon who now meet Cashel in the next round on Saturday.  

Next up for Kenagh is a clash against Ballymore on Sunday in a game they will need to win to stay in the championship.

BALLYMAHON: Keith Manley; Ros Claffey, Cormac McDonagh, Ronan Burke; Paddy Connaughton (0-1), Harvey Townsend, Luke Quinn; Kevin Diffley (0-2), John Nevin; Tadgh Ronayne, Danny Ryan (0-1), Finn Heneghan (0-1); Joe Nevin, Shane Quinn (0-3), Jack Walshe (0-6, 3 frees, 1 two-pointer free). 

Subs:- Pedro Byrne for T Ronayne (49 mins); Chris Killian for L Quinn (56 mins); Steven Bawle for P Connaughton (stoppage time).  

KENAGH: Cathal Higgins; Damien Higgins, Graham Forbes, Harry Byrne (0-1); James Higgins, Shane Farrell (0-2), Shea Carberry; Alan Jones, Daniel Galvin; Ollie Manser, Cormac McGann (0-2, two-pointer), Ronan Farrell; Jamie Byrne, Josh Kelly (0-3, 1 free), Keelin McGann (0-1). 

Subs:- Thomas McGann (0-1) for R Farrell (half-time); Ronan Hughes for J Byrne (50 mins). 

Referee: David Reynolds (Killoe Emmet Og).