Lady luck shines bright for Ballinabrackey side

Nothing is ever won without some degree of luck and Ballinabrackey certainly enjoyed their fair share at Trim on Sunday as they defeated Dunderry to claim the u-21 B FC title. Three fortunate goals, some woeful shooting from Dunderry and a numerical advantage for the majority of the second-half swung this tie in Ballinabrackey's favour. The key moment came less than a minute after the half-time break when referee Frank Gallogly ruled Damien Bruton's challenge on Michael Kearney to be both late and overly robust and issued the Dunderry substitute with a straight red card. Bruton had come on just moments earlier and was expected to help Dunderry overturn a 0-7 to 2-3 interval deficit, but instead his rash tackle left his side in an impossible situation as Ballinabrackey controlled the remainder. With that dismissal and some huge slices of luck Ballinabrackey deserved their victory. Dunderry kicked nine wides, dropped numerous efforts short and couldn't get key players like Stephen Coogan and Daragh Scanlon involved enough. Only Paddy Kennelly excelled for Dunderry as he kicked three superb points from play, but he to also suffered the jitters when he blasted a clear-cut goal opportunity over the bar. Ballinabrackey endured no such misfortunes. Damien Carroll and Paddy Lee lorded midfield, Nicky Judge was rock solid in defence and with Danny Quinn excelling the Offaly border side were deserving winners. The luck that played a huge part in Ballinabrackey's success started as early as the fourth minute when Quinn's speculative point attempt dropped short, struck the post and dropped to the net. That good fortune continued 15 minutes later when Kevin Coyne was upended by Eoin Dempsey inside the square and Carroll converted the penalty. To make matters worse for Dunderry, Ballinabrackey's third goal also had a huge slice of luck attached to it as Paddy Lee's poor point attempt was half blocked down into the path of John Lee and he deflected the ball past Kenneth Patterson. That goal made it 3-5 to 0-10 and put the issue beyond doubt, Dunderry knew it wouldn't be their day. Dunderry had looked the more capable side in the opening 10 minutes. Scanlon opened the scoring in the second minute before Quinn struck with his fortunate goal. Dunderry responded positively to that setback with Coogan (free), Conor Daly and Kennelly on target to edge them ahead again, 0-4 to 1-0. An excellent point from Quinn signalled Ballinabrackey's turn to dominate. Carroll added a free after Quinn was fouled and it started to look ominous for Dunderry when Carroll's penalty made it 2-2 to 0-4. Two Coogan frees either side of Quinn's flying fisted effort left Dunderry just three adrift and after Coogan hit the upright from a free Kennelly lofted over to close the gap to 0-7 to 2-3 at the break. Coogan reduced that deficit to the minimum seconds after the restart, but then came Bruton's rush of blood and he saw red. Dunderry dug deep and stayed in contention with Kennelly cancelling out a Carroll free. Kennelly should have netted 19 minutes from time when he followed up on Coogan's effort which was well saved by Gavin Murray, but the Dunderry player blasted over with the goal gaping to make it 0-10 to 2-4. Relieved by the let off Ballinabrackey upped the tempo and exploited their numerical advantage. Quinn pointed brilliantly before John Lee put the game beyond doubt with his tap in goal. Niall Thompson hit the post when his point attempt dropped short and John Lee struck the crossbar with a poor free, but Ballinabrackey didn't suffer. David Finn made it 3-6 to 0-10 to leave Dunderry chasing a goal in the closing minutes. Goal chances failed to materialise and after Coogan had converted a free it was Carroll who closed Ballinabrackey's account to ensure they celebrated their first u-21 title since 1989. Ballinabrackey - G Murray; M Kearney, S Donoghue; D Thompson, N Judge, K Coyne; D Carroll (1-3, penalty, two frees), P Lee; W Lee, P Kenny, A Munnelly; D Quinn (1-3), J Lee (1-0). Subs - N Thompson for W Lee 40 mins, D Finn (0-1) for Coyne 40m, V Connolly for J Lee 56m. Dunderry - K Patterson; E Dempsey, S Carty; C O'Shea, C Farrell, A Garry; L Dempsey, J P Kennelly; C Daly (0-1), P Kennelly (0-4), J Martin; D Scanlon, S Coogan (0-6 five frees). Subs - D Bruton for Scanlon half-time, D Keenan for Martin 46 mins, D Gilkeson for Daly 56m, B Wright for L Dempsey 56m, S Mooney for Farrell 60m. Referee - Frank Gallogly (Dunshaughlin).