Ballinlough find scoring boots and set up an intriguing clash

Right on cue Ballinlough produced one of their highest-scores of the year to defeat Clann na nGael at Kells on Sunday and set up what is sure to be an eagerly-awaited IFC semi-final with neighbours Gaeil Colmcille who are managed by Jody Devine. One of the difficulties Ballinlough had in their group games was turning their opportunities into scores. They managed to win all but one of their games - usually by a narrow margin. On Sunday they had the game wrapped up long before referee John Farrelly blew the whistle on what was a one-sided contest, at least in the second-half. When Kevin Mallon slotted home Ballinlough's third goal two minutes after the interval, after a brilliant surge forward by Benjy Smith, to give his side a 3-1 to 0-2 advantage it was inevitable who was going to advance to the next round. Ballinlough's red jerseys signified danger for Clann na nGael right from the start. They were ahead by 2-1 to 0-2 at the interval and once Mallon skilfully tucked the ball to the net for that third goal all the competitive edge went out of the game, like air out of a balloon. The two goals that were scored in the first-half came from the boot of Ballinlough attacker Ken Rothwell who will look back on this encounter with considerable pleasure. His opener came on 10 minutes when Cian Mallon and Kevin Mallon combined to open up the Clann na nGael defence. Rothwell made the net dance with a robust finish. Just before the break Lorcan Maguire passed to Rothwell for his second, the attacker blasting home. Clann na nGael fought manfully to the end and while it will be poor consolation they can reflect on a brilliant year when a number of their young players came of age. If they keep this team together they will surely be a force to be reckoned with. Oran Fitzpatrick stood out for them in this tie. He had the onerous task of marking Byrne and admirably stuck at it and played some good football himself. Gary Mangan, Anthony Cully and Shane McAnarney also put in big shifts. Clann na nGael put an added gloss on the final scoreline in the closing minutes when they were awarded a penalty after Caoimhin Griffin was hauled down. McAnarney expertly fired home from the spot. McAnarney also slotted over his team's only point in the second-half. It must have been frustrating for Graham Geraghty, his right foot still in cast, to have to stand and watch from the sideline especially as his Meath colleague Peadar Byrne returned to action and had something of a field day. Byrne's long suspension obviously left him hungry for action and his display demonstrated how effective a player he can be. He managed 'only' two points from play but he won a world of ball and easily qualified as 'the most fouled player of the game.' Along with Byrne, Cian Mallon, Lorcan Maguire and Kevin Mallon were others to split the posts. Defensively, Ballinlough were robust and strong as ever constantly harrying Clann na nGael forwards into making errors of simply coughing up the ball. It was hardly surprising that only two of the Clann na nGael players managed to score from play - Jamie Shaw and McAnarney. "We're happy to be in the semi-final, that's the main thing now, that we're still in the championship. At this stage it's about winning games, but we've got a few things to work on before we play Gaeil Colmcille, a few things to sort out," Ballinlough coach Vinny Ryan told the Meath Chronicle. One of those "things" the Ballinlough coach mentioned may well be the free-taking. Ballinlough spurned a number of spurned opportunities from placed balls with Kevin Devine and Colm Mallon registering wides from frees. Those players, along with Smith, Seamus Fagan and Cian Mallon had good games but in a different context Ballinlough's misses could have proved costly. Ballinlough registered just eight wides with Clann na nGael racking up the same number. On this occasion Balllinlough just had too much guile and craft for their more youthful opponents who can look to the future with optimism. Ballinlough - K McGuinness; B Smith, P Muldoon, R Farrell; K Devine (0-1), D Reilly, Colm Mallon; Cian Mallon (0-1) S Fagan; P Byrne (0-2), L Maguire (0-1), T McCullen; M McCullen, K Mallon (1-1), K Rotherwell (2-1). Subs - R McGuinness for T McCullen 20mins, C Briody for M McCullen 46m, D Muldoon for K Mallon 50m, S Byrne for Fagan 56m, J O'Higgins for Roathwell 59m. Clann na nGael - A Ryan; A Cully, D Kelly, M Mullin; O Fitzpatrick, G Mangan, C Fitzsimons; J Shaw (0-1), B Duffy; D Griffin, S McAnarney (1-1); J MacDonnacha, G Hanley (0-1, free), M Priest. Subs - J Sheridan for Farrell 42mins, E Kennelly for Mullan 44m. Referee - John Farrelly (Syddan).