Longford IFC: Brilliant Ballymahon come storming back to knock Ballymore out

Ballymahon secured a semi-final spot in the Intermediate Football Championship after they produced a  brilliant display to beat Ballymore at Emmet Park in Killoe on Friday night. 

Ballymahon . . . 3-11   Ballymore . . . 2-6 

Ballymore could afford to lose by a maximum of 5 points and still qualify ahead of their opponents but Ballymahon surpassed the deficit with an eight point win to keep their Hennessy Cup hopes alive. 

Ballymahon’s Kevin Diffley fired over a two pointer after 1 minute to get his side up and running but Ballymore dominated the next 20 minutes as Ciaran Reilly found the net along with a John Boyle point and another 3 scores from David Reilly (1 free). 

When Pauric Boyle scored a second goal in the 20th minute to leave Ballymore in a comfortable 2-4 to 0-3 lead, Ballymahon looked in big trouble but they produced a strong finish to the first half to end up on level terms at the break.

Shane Quinn landed a point and Jack Walshe soon followed with a goal from a two pointer free that ended up in the net after the shot dropped short but was not dealt with by Ballymore.

The impressive Walshe had another shot at goal in stoppage time and it deflected off the boot of Joe Nevin to deceive opposing keeper Mattie McCrann to remarkably leave the sides all square at half-time on a scoreline of 2-4 to 2-4.

Ballymahon would continue their scoring streak into the second  half to maintain their dominance. Jack Walshe added two points (free and play) along with a Danny Ryan point to put Phillip Quinn’s side in pole position to win this crunch game. 

Rian Browne pointed for Ballymore which was one of their only 2 scores  in the second half.  Paddy Connaughton found the net on 47 minutes to leave the scoreboard reading 3-7 to 2-5 in favour of Ballymahon. 

Further points from Shane Quinn, Jack Walshe and substitute Kyle Fitzmaurice clinched a terrific turnaround for the reds but bitter disappointment for Ballymore who now end up in the relegation play-offs to determine who will drop down into the Junior grade next season.  

BALLYMAHON: Keith Manley; Ros Claffey, Cormac McDonagh, Ronan Burke; Chris Killian, Harvey Townsend, Luke Quinn; Kevin Diffley (0-2, two pointer), John Nevin; Pedro Byrne, Danny Ryan (0-1), Paddy Connaughton (1-1); Joe Nevin (1-1), Shane Quinn (0-2), Jack Walshe (1-3, 2 frees).

Subs:- Tadgh Ronayne for C McDonagh (41 mins); Kyle Fitzmaurice (0-1) for L Quinn (49 mins); Clayton Melia for Joe Nevin (58 mins).

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

Subs:- James Ross for M Creegan (38 mins); Padraig Kavanagh for L Sheridan (50 mins). 

Referee: Mark Glancy (Rathcline).