Published: Wednesday, 21st July, 2010 4:48pm

Ballinlough show enough to warrant the victory

by Conall Collier

Ballinlough 1-9, Clann na nGael 0-8

Colm Mallon offloads possession for Ballinlough.
Pic by==: 97

Ballinlough staged a late show against Clann na nGael in the IFC at Bohermeen last Thursday night which enabled them to finish their campaign on a winning note.

This was a disappointing result for Clann na nGael who are now out of contention for qualification and will have to win their final game to avoid a relegation play-off.

Ballinlough manager Vinny Ryan will be pleased that his side are still in the hunt for the title, but will be disappointed that they finished with 14 players following the second-half dismissal of Derek Muldoon for a second yellow card.

The Ballinlough player expressed his displeasure to linesman Brendan Darby as he departed, but his exit seemed to instil some urgency into his colleagues who upped the tempo for the final 10 minutes.

Prior to that, Ballinlough looked completely inept as they huffed and puffed around the pitch and faced into a 0-3 to 0-5 interval deficit.

Clann na nGael were only marginally better during the same period although in fairness to both teams, the conditions were challenging, at times.

Points from Tommy McCullen (two) from play and a first minute Colm Mallon free were all that Ballinlough had to show after 30 frustrating minutes which included that costly first yellow card for Muldoon.

He claimed innocence when confronted by referee Colm McManus who had a busy evening as he attempted to keep order.

Gary Woods was the chief Clann na nGael marksman in the opening half and converted two frees plus one delightful effort from play after Joe McDonagh made the opening close to the interval.

McDonagh and John Daly also sent over a point apiece and at that stage, Clann na nGael looked the more likely team to win.

Ballinlough resumed with Peadar Byrne at full-forward. Within 30 seconds of the resumption the Meath player had an opportunity for a goal, but blazed wide.

Another chance was squandered a minute later , but the Clann na nGael reprieve was short-lived and Byrne made amends for his earlier lapse when he sent Ken Rothwell clear for a vital goal.

Subsequent Ballinlough attacks were repelled, due mainly to Graham Geraghty's dominance under the high ball on the edge of the square and by the 11th minute Michael Priest drew the sides level with a good point. Mallon's free sent Ballinlough into the lead again and Lorcan Maguire increased the margin from another free before Rothwell's departure.

That seemed to strengthen Ballinlough's resolve and they actually started to play with some purpose.

Substitute Seamus Byrne sent over and a surging, almost trademark, run by Benjy Smith from a deep position made the opening for Peadar Byrne's first contribution to the scoreboard.

Priest managed another point for Mattie McCabe's side, but Ballinlough finished with a flourish as Mallon and Peadar Byrne scored again while a late free from Gary Woods was nothing more than a consolation for Clann na nGael who are without a win this year in the championship.

Ballinlough - K Mallon; B Smith, P Muldoon, R Farrell; J Byrne, L Maguire (0-1 free), R McGuinness; S Fagan, Cian Mallon; P Byrne (0-2), D Muldoon, T McCullen (0-2); K Devine, K Rothwell (1-0), Colm Mallon (0-3 frees). Subs - S Byrne (0-1) for McCullen 43 mins, E Reilly for McGuinness 50m.

Clann na nGael - D Griffin; A Browne, S McAnarney, E Conneeley; J Sheehan, G Geraghty, D Kelly; J Shaw M Priest (0-2); G Woods (0-4 three frees), A Farrell, D Tuite; J Daly (0-1), J McDonagh (0-1 free), C Fitzsimons. Sub - G Hanley for Fitzsimons 50 mins.

Referee - Colm McManus (Gaeil Colmcille).

Remaining fixtures in the group: Dunderry v Gaeil Colmcille; Clann na nGael v Cortown.

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