Longford IFC: Cashel stage a strong second half revival to beat Ballymahon

Cashel got back on track in the battle for the Intermediate Football Championship title after beating Ballymahon in Clonbonny, Lanesboro last Saturday evening.

Cashel . . . 2-10    Ballymahon . . . 0-10

Ballymahon were looking good for a second win in Group B when leading by 3 at the break but  Cashel, platformed by two early second half goals produced a dominant display in the second half to materialise a 9 point turn around.

Cashel were without Paddy Dowd who was on managerial duty with Aughawillian in the senior championship in Leitrim but a few positional changes were key to their victory. Andrew Farrell advanced much further up the field to play a much more prominent role in the game while David Sweeney and Stephen Weafer gave Cashel a vital edge in the middle of the park.

Andrew Farrell’s high fielding exploits originated the move for the opening score from Dan O’Shea. Farrell himself knocked over the next score before his midfield counterpart Kevin Diffley opened Ballymahon’s account. Andrew Farrell then landed the first two pointer of the game as Cashel developed an early lead.

Luke Quinn responded for Ballymahon who began to turn the tables in midfield and Jack Walshe scored the next 5 points without reply to give his side a 3 point advantage at the break. 

With 4 different types of scores Walshe showed his range first with a point from play before following it up with a free out of the hands. Walshe then leapfrogged Ballymahon into the ascendancy with a superb two pointer from the deck before extending the lead with a ‘45. 

But Ballymahon got a strong response from Cashel on the restart as Gary Kenny’s revitalised side took a foothold in midfield as they constructed 2-6 without reply. Ballymahon shot over the final 3 scores to reduce arrears when the competitive edge of the encounter had diminished as Cashel finally produced their league form which saw them promoted to Division 1. 

Conor Murtagh pointed first from a free before his attempt for a point from play dropped short to the hands of Dan O’ Shea who turned and buried a ball into the top corner of the net. Cashel tails were up and marauded forward for a score through Jamie Bermingham after Jack Sweeney fetched a fantastic ball at midfield.

Cashel also brought numbers back and defended strongly in a solid structure and turnovers led to further scores including Conor Murtagh’s next point.

Padraic Syron made a massive impact off the bench to fire over a brace of points as well as winning a free for Shane Bannon to strike over the bar. Syron’s effort for another point was also crucial to victory as when it dropped short Rian O’Boyle volleyed shot saw the ball creep over the line to which the umpires alertly raised a green flag.

Walshe added to his tally with two further frees and Stephen Bawle got on the scoresheet as Ballymahon finished off strongly with 3 late consolation scores.

CASHEL: Shane Bannon (0-1, f); Luke O’ Boyle, Mel Farrell, Aidan Mulvihill; Jamie Bermingham (0-1), Aidan Rowan, Stephen Weafer; Conor Farrell, David Sweeney; Dan O’ Shea (1-1), Andrew Farrell (0-3), Jack Sweeney; Conor Murtagh (0-2, 1f), Brian Kelly, Rian O’ Boyle (1-0). 

Subs:- Padraic Syron (0-2) for S Weafer (38 mins), Ronan Farrell for B Kelly (47 mins), Oran Killian for D Sweeney (62 mins).

BALLYMAHON: Keith Manley; Rós Claffey, Cormac McDonagh, Ronan Burke; Paddy Connaughton, Harvey Townsend, Luke Quinn (0-1); Kevin Diffley (0-1), John Nevin; Tadhg Ronayne, Danny Ryan, Finn Heneghan; Shane Quinn, Stephen Bawle (0-1), Jack Walshe (0-7, 3f, 1 45, 1 two pointer free). 

Subs:- Pedro Byrne for T Ronayne (38 mins), Chris Killian for P Connaughton (47 mins).

Referee: Joe McDermott (Grattans).