Leinster Club JFC adventure continues

Our season continues to go from strength to strength after we comfortably defeated Longford champions Ballymore at The Downs last Saturday to qualify for the last four of the Leinster Club Junior Football Championship.

A dominant first half display laid the foundations for a 4-6 to 2-2 victory which extends our unbeaten run in championship football this year to 10 matches. Played on a heavy surface, the game was over a contest at half-time when we led by 3-2 to 0-0 thanks to quality goals from Nigel Scally (two) and Paul Fennell. We came flying out of the blocks to score 2-1 in the opening seven minutes and the result was never in any doubt after that, with Ballymore’s first score not coming until 12 minutes into the second half.

Having been involved in several close contests this season, it was surreal to be able to sit back and enjoy a game for once! The focus now switches to what is certain to be a much sterner assignment against Kildare kingpins Milltown on Saturday week. The semi-final is provisionally fixed for TEG Cusack Park which, of course, was the scene of our dramatic county final victory over St Loman’s at the end of September.

With the wind behind us last Saturday, we opened the scoring inside the first minute through Conor Delaney. Three minutes later, Paul Fennell centred for Nigel Scally to hammer home a great goal from close range. We carved open the Ballymore defence again when Micheál Coffey and Scally combined to set up Fennell for another well-taken goal.

Joey O’Neill made a smart save from Bernard McElvaney at the other end after the wing forward’s initial attempt for a point had come back off the upright before Darragh Coffey was denied by Ballymore ‘keeper Mattie McCrann. A long scoring lull then ensued before Paul Fennell collected Colin Draper’s cross-field pass and registered our second point in the 25th minute.

A minute later, Conor Delaney’s quick ball released Nigel Scally who raced through the middle before planting an unstoppable shot in the top left-hand corner of the Ballymore net. Scally almost completed his hat-trick moments later, only to be denied by the post. Conor Delaney also struck the same upright with a point attempt as the margin remained at 11 points at the break.

The momentum remained firmly with us after the restart when a Delaney free and a fourth green flag from substitute Danny Scully in the 38th minute after he diverted Fennell’s shot into the net stretched the lead to 15 points.

To their credit, Ballymore didn’t give up and their long wait for a score ended in spectacular fashion when Gavin O’Hara sent a rocket into the same top corner as Scally had done in the first half. Damien Monaghan added two points from frees before Delaney blasted straight at McCrann when a fifth Kilbeggan goal seemed inevitable.

Delaney was on target, however, from a 54th minute free before Ballymore substitute Glen Kelly fisted a high ball which flew into the net in the first minute of injury-time. But we weren’t finished and had the final say thanks to late points from Delaney, who fisted over with another goal on, and substitute Cathal Finn.

Finally, we wish our midfielders Niall Carey and Brendan McMahon speedy recoveries after they were both injured in the first half of last Saturday’s game.

Team: Joey O’Neill; Sean Hanlon, James Fox, Martin Ward; Colin Draper, Aidan Stone, Mark Wrafter; Niall Carey, Brendan McMahon; Darragh Coffey, Shaun Pidgeon, Michael Coffey; Paul Fennell (1-1), Conor Delaney (0-4, 2 frees), Nigel Scally (2-0). Subs: Danny Scully (1-0) for Carey (20 min, injured), Dean Fitzgerald for McMahon (27 min, injured), Alan Fennell for Ward (48 min); Mel Kiernan for M Coffey (54 min); Cathal Finn (0-1) for Stone (59 min).

U19FC Division 3 final

Our U19s are hoping to bring more silverware to the club when they face Maryland/Tang in the Division 3 Championship final in Moate on Saturday at 2pm. Let’s get a big crowd down to Hogan Park to cheer on the lads, who are mentored by Mattie McCormack, Aidan Stone and Gary Doonan.

New arrival

Congratulations to David Fennell and Aisling Kearns on the safe arrival of baby Tommy last week.

Lotto

Last week’s lucky numbers were 4, 7, 19 and 23. There were seven Match 3 winners – Carol Dowdall, Joe Coffey, Liam Martin, Josie Smith, Patricia Colton, Larry Claffey and Richie McMahon.

Thanks to everyone for their support. The jackpot is capped at €15,000. You can purchase your tickets in local shops or online.