Division 6 final v The Downs
Our second team suffered a heartbreaking 1-9 to 1-12 extra-time defeat to The Downs in a rain-lashed All-County Football League Division 6 final at TEG Cusack Park last Saturday evening.
Both teams deserve huge credit for serving up such an absorbing contest in the torrential rain and on a pitch which was waterlogged in places. A final that could have gone either way was decided by a last-minute Matthew Cunningham goal for the winners after they had been let off the hook at the other end when we missed a close-in free to retake the lead. Had that gone over, there might have been a different outcome.
Ultimately, The Downs’ greater options and ability to run in fresh legs from half-time onwards was decisive as our quest for silverware came up agonisingly short. In energy-sapping conditions, we led by 1-3 to 0-4 at the interval thanks to a Cillian Rochford goal and points from Micheál Coffey, Danny Scully and Niall Carey.
Dean Fitzgerald and Conor Delaney combined to set up the excellent Rochford for the opening goal in the 25th minute. Rochford almost raised another green flag moments later, only to be denied by The Downs ‘keeper Senan O’Driscoll after Delaney’s initial attempt for a point had come back off the upright.
Three quick points after the restart saw The Downs retake the lead before Coffey and Fitzgerald replied to edge us back in front, 1-5 to 0-7. A 19-minute scoring drought followed before a Fitzgerald free in the 58th minute left us on the cusp of victory. But with time almost up, The Downs registered the game’s only two-pointer to force extra-time on a 0-9 to 1-6 scoreline.
The black and ambers grabbed the first two points of extra-time, only for Delaney and Rochford to respond and leave it all-square again at the end of the first period. Micheál Coffey nudged us back in front after the change of ends, but we wouldn’t score again as The Downs regained parity before Cunningham’s late goal spared us the drama of a penalty shootout.
Team: Conor Mullins; Senan Claffey, Mel Kiernan, Martin Ward; Danny Scully, Colin Draper, Diarmuid Egan; Niall Carey, Ray Kennedy; Cillian Rochford, Micheál Coffey, Dean Fitzgerald; James Finnegan, Conor Delaney, Michael Carton. Subs used: Jack Mullins and Jacob Browne. Rest of panel: Niall Rabbitte, Arthur O’Rourke, Eoin Dixon and Michael Joyce.
Pitch closed
The pitch at MJS Builds St James’ Park will be closed from Monday, June 16 to Friday, June 20 to facilitate development works, including the installation of new ball stops, goals and Astro netting.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Win Oasis tickets!
It’s the biggest show in town this summer and we’re offering you the chance to win two tickets to see Oasis in Croke Park on Saturday, August 16.
This is an online-only competition, with one entry costing €5 and three costing €10. Go to our social media pages to enter. Closing date is August 1, with the draw taking place on August 4. Best of luck!
Lotto
Last week’s lucky numbers were 1, 5, 7 and 25. The jackpot wasn’t won. The Match 3 winners were Paul Daly, Noreen Wrafter, Pauric Ennis (x2) and Colum Connolly.
The jackpot has been capped at €15,000 until it is won again. Make sure to buy your tickets online or at Centra, Mace and Whelan’s. Thank you for your continued support.
Ladies football
Our ladies have been drawn against St Loman’s in Round 1 of the Junior Championship.
With the Championship not starting until early August, Brendan Nannery’s charges will continue to keep themselves ticking over with challenge matches in the meantime.
Sympathy
We extend our deepest sympathy to clubman and well-known referee Kieran Daly on the passing of his father, Kieran Snr, Ballinahown. May he rest in peace.
