Killoe’s dreams of bringing Leinster club glory to Longford ended in heartbreaking fashion

Killoe’s dreams of Leinster club glory ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday last in Emmet Park as the gallant home side agonisingly lost by a single point to Kildare standard bearers Balyna.

It was a thrilling, albeit low scoring game, but the visitors were deserving of their win.

Killoe had high hopes, following an easy 6-17 to 0-2 win over Wicklow opposition, Eire Og, but this was a much stiffer challenge.

The Johnstownbridge based side overcame a slow start to advance to the final against Louth side St Fechin’s.

Ballyna were a pacy, determined side who possessed a few very talented footballers in their ranks.

The teams were level at half-time, 1-2 to 0-5, with Jacinta Brady scoring the Killoe goal.

However, Ballyna put in a very solid second half and the home side could only manage three points in the second period.

The outstanding Aoibheann Birchall tormented the Killoe defence throughout, finishing with 0-5 (3f).

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She had strong support in the athletic No. 12 Caoimhe Ni Bhuirceal, who used possession well.

A strong midfield pairing of Julie Brannigan and Leah Doran had the upper hand on Killoe throughout.

Killoe’s county player Niamh Brady tried hard, but had a frustrating day by her own standards, although she still finished with 0-4 (2f).

Captain Fiona Toher was arguably Killoe’s best performer over the hour, putting out fires time and time again in defence.

But overall Killoe failed to replicate the overall consistency of recent games.

Balyna were direct in their approach and always had runners looking for the ball going forward.

Killoe started the stronger and points from Niamh Brady and Anna McDonnell gave them an early edge.

Rachel Cribben got them off the mark with a point and this was followed by a Caoimhe Ni Bhuirceal score.

A Niamh Brady free came off the upright but Killoe took a decisive lead ten minutes into the game.

The powerful Jacinta Brady surged through the visitor’s defence before planting the ball in the net.

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That gave Killoe a 1-2 to 0-2 lead and they were on top. Ballyna were wasteful in the first half, with three of their shots going into the hands of ‘keeper Bronagh Reilly.

Points from Aoibheann Birchall and Rachel Cribbin left a point between the sides.

Niamh Brady sent a free wide of the posts but Aoibheann Birchall made no mistake with a free, to make it level at half-time, 1-2 to 0–5.

A shot from Balyna’s Leah Doran went off the uprights early in the second half. Niamh Brady edged Killoe into the lead from a converted free in the 37th minute.

However, the visitors levelled when Lucy Cullinan finished off an incisive move with a point.

Aoibheann Birchall was proving very hard to handle for Killoe and she sent over a brilliant point from the right of the posts and a tight angle in the 42nd minute, 1-3 to 0-7.

Killoe introduced the first of four substitutes in the 45th minute when they brought on the vastly experienced Anne Marie Gately.

Killoe were struggling to match the workrate of Balyna. Aoibheann Birchall pointed from a free, with Niamh Brady replying from a dead ball to steady the home nerves.

But Balyna took a two-point lead when Birchall sent over a point from play, 1-4 to 0-9.

The pressure was on as the clock ticked down and Niamh Brady stood up the challenge with a terrific point in the 51st minute.

Emma Doris won important possession for Killoe at midfield in the second half but determined defending from Balyna made them hard to break down.

Referee Henri Clifford played over five minutes of stoppage time and with the tension high, Killoe fought hard for the all important equaliser.

Killoe were awarded a free but Niamh Brady’s radar was off as her shot drifted to the right of the goals.

Killoe battled hard but Balyna stood firm and despite Birchall missing a free in the dying seconds, they held on for victory.

KILLOE: Bronagh Reilly; Amy Finnegan, Laura Gallagher, Riane McGrath; Mia Shannon, Fiona Toher, Aideen Mulligan; Maria Reehill, Emma Doris; Clodagh Reilly, Jacinta Brady (1-0), Eimear Igoe; Ailbhe Mulligan, Niamh Brady (0-4, 2f), Anna McDonnell (0-1).

Subs: Anne Marie Gately for A McDonnell (45 mins), Darina McGoldrick for Ailbhe Mulligan (48 mins), Ava Finneran for M Shannon (49 mins), Aoibheann O’Brien for C Reilly (58 mins)

BALYNA: Ruth Bergin; Kate Langley, Sadie Cullinan, Holly O’Keefe; Lucy Cullinan (0-1), Ellen Morgan, Megan Cooney; Julie Brannigan, Leah Doran; Rachel Cribbin (Captain, 0-2), Erica Burke, Caoimhe Ni Bhuirceal (0-1); Lauren Dixon, Grace Gallagher, Aoibheann Birchall (0-5, 3f).

Subs: Aisling Holton for G Gallagher (45 mins), Siobhan Hurley for L Dixon (49 mins), Robyn Hurley for C Ni Bhuirceal (51 mins).

REFEREE: Henri Clifford (Meath).

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