Division 3 v Ballymore
Despite producing our best performance of the season so far in Ballymore last Saturday evening, we narrowly missed out on promotion from Division 3 of the All-County League.
Maryland’s 3-13 to 2-14 win over Ballinagore at the same time meant that our 1-17 to 1-7 victory wasn’t enough to earn us a place in Division 2 next year. We finished on 12 points, one behind Maryland and two behind a strong-finishing St Mary’s, Rochfortbridge who are both promoted and will contest the divisional final.
Ultimately, two draws and two one-point defeats in the middle of the campaign cost us, but five wins from nine games was still a good overall return and bodes well ahead of the start of the Junior Championship next month. Against Ballymore in blustery and unseasonably cool conditions, our second half performance was especially encouraging after we had trailed by 0-6 to 1-4 at the break.
Despite playing against the wind in the first half, we opened up an early 0-3 to 0-0 lead thanks to points from Nigel Scally (two, one free) and Darragh Coffey before the hosts replied with a point and a goal against the run of play from midfielder Ivan Smith.
Scally put us back in front with a two-point free and a single from play, only for Brian Finerty to reply with a two-point free and a free to give Ballymore the edge at the interval.
Finerty extended the home side’s advantage from another placed ball straight after the restart, but they were outscored by 1-11 to 0-2 thereafter as we ran out comfortable winners. With Niall Carey and Darragh Coffey taking control at midfield, we quickly regained parity at 0-9 to 1-6 apiece through points from Cillian Rochford (two, one free) and Nigel Scally (free) before Coffey and Finerty (free) traded scores.
But Ballymore wouldn’t score again as we proceeded to rattle off an unanswered 1-7 in an excellent final quarter display. Two points each from Scally (one free) and Jack Molloy pushed us four clear before Niall Carey made a terrific catch from a kick-out and took a return pass from Scally before soloing through for a brilliant goal.
Further scores from substitute David Fennell, Scally (free) and Dean Fitzgerald sealed an impressive win, but not promotion unfortunately.
Team: Conor Mullins; Martin Ward, James Fox, Arthur O’Rourke; Colin Draper, Shaun Pidgeon, Mark Wrafter; Niall Carey, Darragh Coffey; Dean Fitzgerald, Nigel Scally, Cillian Rochford; Conor Delaney, Colm Heffernan, Jack Molloy. Subs used: David Fennell and Jack Mullins.
Division 5 v St Loman’s
Our Division 5 team are also in promotion contention ahead of their last round trip to St Loman’s, Mullingar this Tuesday, June 9 at 7.15pm.
We are one of four teams tied on 10 points and vying for promotion alongside table-toppers Milltownpass. All support for the lads in this defining fixture would be greatly appreciated.
Lotto
Last week’s lucky numbers were 15, 17, 21 and 26. There was no jackpot or Match 3 winner. The Lucky Dip winner was Jack and Conor Mullins.
This week’s jackpot is €8,600. Make sure to buy your tickets online or at Centra, Mee's Costcutter and Whelan’s. Tickets are also on sale outside Centra every Saturday and Sunday. Thank you for your continued support.
