Longford IFC: Ballymore cause upset in a fine win over Cashel

Ballymore put themselves in a great position to advance to the semi-final for a second year in succession after a super win over a fancied Cashel in Leo Casey Park, Ballymahon on Sunday evening last.   

Ballymore . . . 2-15   Cashel . . . 1-14

Ballymore put themselves in a great position to advance to the semi-final for a second year in succession after a super win over a fancied Cashel in Leo Casey Park, Ballymahon on Sunday evening last.

The nature of the new format in the Mulleady Group Intermediate Football Championship left a lot of value in the opening game and this surprising opening round result carves different paths for the victors and losers.

Ballymore move on now to the second round clash with Kenagh with a great chance of qualifying to the knock out stages once again.

On the other hand, Division 2 league champions Cashel now face a do or die challenge against South Longford rivals Ballymahon. In achieving their return to Division 1 football for the first time since 2015, Cashel were being hotly tipped as contenders for the Hennessy Cup.

Though, with 4 different free takers being utilised, all kicking with the right foot, they missed some costly chances.

Ballymore, on the other hand, were clinical on their dead ball efforts with David Reilly top scoring in the game with 1-6. They also had a terrific engine room with Daniel Fahy, Pauric Boyle and Gavin O’Hara carrying great ball and providing scores.

Mattie Gorman and Oisin Flynn also impressed in the attack with Gorman rasping the ball to the back of the net in a thunderous opening to the game.

Conor Farrell opened the scoring for Cashel with a fine point from midfield with David Reilly responding with a free.

Cashel’s Conor Murtagh then fired over 3 unanswered points (2f) before the industrious Gavin O’ Hara relieved the pressure for his side with a sweet score.

Goalkeeper Shane Bannon was Cashel’s third free taker inside the opening quarter and he made no mistake in firing over a two pointer from the deck. Midfielders Conor Farrell and Oran Killian pointed either side of an Oisin Flynn white flag as Cashel took a two point lead despite playing against the breeze.

Ballymore would finally make best use of the breeze to shoot 6 points without reply to close out the half and take a 4 point lead at the break with the score standing at 1-9 to 0-8. The points came from Gorman, Reilly frees, Fahy and a super two pointer from Oisin Flynn.

Jack Sweeney and Conor Farrell helped to reduce the gap on the restart for Gary Kenny’s side who introduced former Longford and Clonguish man Paddy Dowd.

Ballymore midfielder Pauric Boyle, who drove at Cashel time and time again, was rewarded for his efforts when he was fouled for a penalty, cooly dispatched by David Reilly to give his side a 5 point lead.

Cashel were thrown a lifeline when Dan O’Shea went on a blazing run and after a bit of a goal line mess his effort crossed the line for a goal.

Despite playing with the wind Cashel did not capitalise on the momentum and Ballymore were back on top with a score from the direct Oisin Flynn. Then, David Reilly restored the 5 point advantage with a two pointer free.

Shane Bannon put 3 between the sides again with his second two pointer free but when another dead ball chance appeared, Paddy Dowd fired wide on the near side with the outside of the boot.

Impressive minor Daniel Fahy then raced through to give Ballymore the 4 point insurance into additional time. Shane Bannon fired over two points in a row but Ballymore held strong defensively and finished with two break away scores through Pauric Boyle and David Reilly to seal the win.

BALLYMORE: Mattie McCrann, Ciaran Fahy, Luke Sheridan, Cian O’Hara, Rian Browne, John Boyle, Gavin O’Hara (0-1), David Reilly (1-6, 4f, 1 two pointer free, 1 pen), Pauric Boyle (0-1), Ben Creegan, Mel Creegan, Daniel Fahy (0-2), Donal McElvaney, Mattie Gorman (1-1), Oisin Flynn (0-4, 1 two pointer). 

Subs:- James Ross for M McCrann (45 mins, inj), Ciaran Reilly for B Creegan (54 mins).

CASHEL: Shane Bannon (0-6, 2 two pointer frees), Luke O’Boyle, Andrew Farrell, Mel Farrell, Jamie Bermingham, Aidan Rowan, Aidan Mulvihill, Conor Farrell (0-3), Oran Killian (0-1), Dan O’Shea (1-0), Brian Kelly, Jack Sweeney (0-1), Conor Murtagh (0-3, 2f), Ronan Farrell, Rian O’Boyle. 

Subs:- Paddy Dowd for O Killian (half-time), Padraic Syron for R Farrell (45 mins), Stephen Weafer for C Farrell (60 mins, inj).

Referee: Michael Farrell (Ballymahon).