Hard-earned victory for Ballivor

Ballivor claimed the JFC Peter McDermott Cup with a hard-earned 0-10 to 0-5 victory over St Vincent's at windy and wet Pairc Tailteann today.

The Ardcath men worked tirelessly throughout an absorbing 60 minutes, but were unable to make their efforts count on the scoreboard and they were reduced to 14 men midway through the second-half when Eric Callaghan picked up a red card.

They also lost full-forward Nigel Hand in the 20th minute when he limped out of the action and that was a major setback for the Ardcath side.

Playing against the wind in the opening half St Vincent's gave a mighty display and reeled off points from play by Patrcik McGill (two) and Paddy Arnold.

There was also a gilt-edged 30th minute goal chance, but McGill fired his effort from close range just wide.

Ballivor didn't score from play in the opening half and had pointed ftrees from Kevin McKeon (three) and Brendan McKeon (two) to their credit as they found the going tough in difficult conditions.

Ballivor fared better against the elements and gradually eased clear for a merited victory.

Brendan McKeon had Ballivor's first score from play five minutes into the second-half and it was a clear-cut goal chance that he fired too high, although the point was valuable.

Kevin McKeon converetd two frees and all St Vincent's could muster in response was a Eoghan Corry point as Ballivor took a 0-8 to 0-4 lead into the second water break and also had the benefit of an extra man when play resumed.

St Vincent's couldn't be faulted for the effort and determination they displayed, but a pointed free McGill free for the remainder was never going to be enough.

Brendan McKeon and Adam Gannon completed Ballivor's tally and they had substitute Cillian Kavanagh red-carded in added time.

SCORERS

Ballivor - Kevin McKeon 0-5 frees; Brendan McKeon 0-4 two frees; Adam Gannon 0-1.

St Vincent's - Patrick McGill 0-3 one free; Paddy Arnold 0-1; Eoghan Corry 0-1.

TEAMS

Ballivor - Edward Kirby; Kevbin Kelly, David Raleigh, Harry Smyth; Jacob Ryan, Patrick Conneely, Eoin Potterton; Joseph McLaughlin, Keigh Keoghan; Chris Dunne, Adam Gannon, David Conneely; Nicky Potterton, Kevin McKeon, Brendan McKeon. Subs - Padraig Geoghegan for McLaughlin 54 mins, Cillian Canavan for E Potterton 57m, Evan Fitzgerald for N Potterton 58m

St Vincent's - Evan Connor; Ciaran Brangan, Davy Tallon, Mark Crawley; Conor Harford, Niall Tallon, Leo Corry; Robert Tallon, Ryan Hand; Martin Fox, Thomas Field, Paddy Arnold; Patrick McGill, Nigel Hand, Eric Callaghan. Subs Eoghan Corry for Hand 20 mins,Jack Byrne for Harford 40m, Harford for Arnold 45m, Robert Lynch for Field 55m, Stefan O'Neill for Tallon 57m, Gary Tuite for Brangan 59m.

OFFICIALS

Referee - Andrew Smith (Dunshaughlin); standby referee - Peter Downey (Rathkenny); linesman - Stephen Skelly (Oldcastle); sideline official - Joseph Curran (St Michael's); umpires - Jim Smith, Neil O’Dwyer (Dunshaughlin), Enda Smith (Blackhall Gaels), Fergus Smith (Kilcock).