Longford IFC: Connolly’s cruise to very easy win over Ballymahon

Sean Connolly’s . . . 3-13 Ballymahon . . . 0-7

Inspired by a cracking goal from impressive attacker Daniel Reynolds in the 21st minute of the first half, Sean Connolly’s cruised to a very easy win over Ballymahon in the Intermediate Football Championship semi-final at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Sunday evening.

Deadly Daniel clocked up the grand total of 1-9 which included three two-pointers and the Ballinalee side could afford the luxury of kicking a total of 14 wides on their way to the Hennessy Cup decider against Mostrim on Sunday October 4th.

Having said that, Ballymahon created three goal chances in the first half with Paddy Connaughton hitting the post in the early stages of this disappointing match while Joe Nevin blasted the ball over the bar from close range in the 20th minute just before the opening goal for Connolly’s.

Connolly’s keeper John McKenna produced a great point-blank save to keep out another goal attempt from a Nevin flick on the stroke of half-time and it should have been a closer contest at the break with Ballymahon trailing by 1-7 to 0-3.

Trevor Clendenning’s charges were given a glimmer of hope with scores from defenders Shane Quinn (a terrific two-pointer from play) and Paddy Connaughton in a bright start to the second half but a couple of consecutive two-pointers (play and free) from the lethal Daniel Reynolds put Connolly’s in firm control.

There was no way back for Ballymahon against their much superior opponents and the killer blow was struck when industrious midfielder Jack Reilly finished off a slick move to find the back of the net in the 50th minute - just reward for all his hard work.

Minus Longford senior regular Daire Duggan who has suffered another long term injury in a big blow for his club, Connolly’s (managed by former Killoe coach Tommy Donohoe) grabbed a third goal in the 58th minute when defender Ronan McGreal was on target in a scramble while Dessie Reynolds accounted for the other two points on the changeover.

After closing the gap to four points (1-7 to 0-6) in the early stages of the second half, Ballymahon faded badly during the rest of the game and the best they could manage was just one more score with defender Chris Killian shooting over the bar.

SEAN CONNOLLY’S: John McKenna; Ronan McGreal (1-0), Sean O’Sullivan, Jack Conlon; John Rawle, Dylan Lynch, Alan Gregg; Jack Reilly (1-0), Evan Tully; Stephen Lynch, Dessie Reynolds (0-4, 1 two-pointer), Ciaran McEvoy; Daniel Reynolds (1-9, 3 two-pointers from play and free, 2 frees), Daniel Farrell, Sean Kenny.

Subs:- Conan Rawle for D Farrell (45 mins); Paddy Reynolds for J Conlon, Michael Murphy for A Gregg and Ciaran MacEoin for J Rawle (all in the 56th minute); Diarmuid Glennon for J Reilly (stoppage time).

BALLYMAHON: Oisin Connolly; Niall Connaughton, Ros Claffey, Chris Killian (0-1); Paddy Connaughton (0-1), Shane Quinn (0-2, two-pointer from play), Harvey Townsend; Kevin Diffley, John Nevin; Emmet Finn, Danny Ryan, Darragh Finlass; Clayton Melia, Joe Nevin (0-1), Jack Walshe (0-2, frees).

Subs:- Ronan Burke for C Melia (39 mins); C Melia for E Finn (49 mins); Ferdia Ginty for J Nevin (54 mins); Tyler O’Reilly for R Claffey (stoppage time).

Referee: Patrick Cahill (Carrickedmond).