Ballivor show the way to Carnaross

Ballivor were too streetwise for volatile Carnaross in this JFC encounter at Pairc Tailteann today as they won with a bit to spare by 1-14 to 0-9.

Carnaross lost Frank O'Reilly to a red card midway through the second-half after a mini-melee erupted with Ballivor lighting the fuse, but taking cover from the subsequent explosion.

The victory set Ballivor up for a semi-final against St Ultan's or St Brigid's

The opening exchanges were evenly contested and by the time the first-half water break arrived Ballivor had a 0-4 to 0-3 advantage.

David Conneely, Chris Dunne, Kevin McKeown (free) and Brendan McKeown (free) were on target while at the other end Frank O'Reilly converted three frees for Carnaross.

A 13th minute black card for Ballivor's Joe McLoughlin left his side at a disadvantage, but Carnaross also picked up a black when Odhran Farrelly was penalised in the 22nd minute.

It all worked out well for Ballivor with goalkeeper Edward Kirby converting a free from 45 metres, but poor finishing was costly and as the wind picked up Cillian Comaskey sent over a fine Carnaross point from play.

Ballivor finished the half with a flourish when Adam Gannon rifled to the net after a point attempt by Nicky Potterton came back off the post for a 1-5 to 0-4 interval advantage.

Early second-half points from Gannon and Kevin McKeown gave Ballivor a cushion that was important as they lost Keith Keoghan to a black card.

Ahead of the second water break points from Gannon and Nicky Potterton eased Ballivor further in front with a 1-9 to 0-4 advantage with Keoghan back on board for the final quarter.

Carnaross lost Frank O'Reilly to that red card and they finished with 13 when Tomás Plunkett collected a black card near the end.

The sides shared 10 points in that closing quarter as Ballivor kept the scoreboard ticking over after Carnaross boiled over.

Paddy McDermott (two), Dermot McGee, Cian O'Reilly and Darragh O'Reilly were the Carnaross scorers while Ballivor replied with ease through Kevin McKeown (two frees), Gannon, Paddy Conneely and Potterton.

Referee Richard Morris handled the game in his usual efficient and no-nosense manner.

Thanks to Ballivor official for supplying requested details.

SCORERS

Ballivor - Adam Gannon 1-3; Kevin McKeown 0-4 frees; Nicky Potterton 0-2; Brendan McKeown 0-1 free; Edward Kirby 0-1 free; Paddy Conneely 0-1; David Conneely 0-1; Chris Dunne 0-1;

Carnaross - Frank O'Reilly 0-3 frees; Paddy McDermott 0-2; Cillian Comaskey 0-1; Dermot McGee 0-1; Cian O'Reilly 0-1; Darragh O'Reilly 0-1.

TEAMS

Ballivor - Edward Kirby; Kevin Kelly, David Raleigh, Harry Smyth; Eoin POtterton, Paddy Conneely, Jacod Ryan; Keith Keoghan, Joe McLoughlin; David Conneely, Adam Gannon, Chris Dunne; Brendan McKeown, Kevin McKeown, Nicky Potterton. Subs - Padraig Geoghegan for E Potterton, Evan Fitzgerald for J McLoughlin, Gary Sherrock for D Conneely.

Carnaross - Conor Kenny; Ian Donoghue, Tómas PLunkett, Jack Roche; Odhran Farrelly, Cian O'Reilly, Pierce Fleming; Luke Gillic, Cian McGlynn; Paddy McDermott, Dillon Fox, Cillian Comaskey; Shane O'Reilly, Frank O'Reilly, Niall McDonnell. Subs - Dermot McGee for S O'Reilly 35 mins, Darragh O'Reilly for McDonnell 59m.

Referee - Richard Morris (Blackhall Gaels).