Ballina claim first North Under 14 ‘A’ Hurling title
GAA: North Tipperary Under 14 ‘A’ Hurling Final
Ballina 2-9
Toomevara 1-9 (AET)
Report: Liam Hogan in Portroe
Ballina supporters rejoiced after witnessing their club make history by winning their first ever North Under 14 ‘A’ hurling title when defeating Toomevara last Tuesday week.
With extra time necessary it was Joe Finn’s goal 52 seconds into the first period that proved to be the decisive score.
The game was three minutes old when Ballina had a degree of luck to their first score as Billy Power’s effort for a point, helped with a degree of spin dropped short and deceived Toomevara keeper Darragh Hayes for the opening goal. Hayes recovered to play a good game.
With defences well on top it was the 12th minute before Luke Power increased Ballina’s lead with a free. Toome had their chances but already the wides were increasing and would reach a total of six by the end of the half.
After the water break Ballina came storming out and extended their lead with marvellous points by Billy Collins and Shane Grace. Ballina keeper William Bennett-Quaid produced a point blank save to deny James Kenneally. Bennett made a string of saves as Toome raised the bar but all they could muster was a David Conway free as they trailed 1-3 to 0-1 at half time.
Ballina began with purpose in the opening minutes of the second half. Luke Power’s lengthy free after two minutes before Charlie Grace went for goal but was denied Hayes in goal.
Both sides continued to exert influence, but nothing occurred until the eighth minute when Toomevara’s Jack Doran pointed a 65. Doran was tremendous at centre back but the Toome management moved him to midfield and in one of his tremendous runs he won a free which he fired low to the roof of the net with the help of the crossbar.
Toomevara were moving well now as points by Doran and Conway had matters level by the 20th minute before Conway produced the lead score in the 22nd minute of the half.
Ballina needed to adjust, and smart positional changes began to work. Charlie Grace moved to midfield and Billy Collins to half back with Cillian Ryan and Alex Quinn. Throwing caution to the wind the blues were rewarded with two Charlie Grace frees which had them in front again. The lead hung precariously as Toomevara fought back and deep into injury time Jake Hackett’s equalising free sent the teams into extra time.
When play resumed Ballina struck first as Joe Finn was in the right place at the right time to tap home from close range. Alex Peng replied with a very good score, but Ballina held their nerve and two minutes from the break both Collins and Grace combined for the latter to give Ballina a three-point advantage.
After the changeover both sides went at it hell for leather. Sean Connolly narrowed the gap. Jack Doran won a close range free and Hackett converted leaving the minimum between the teams.
The game hung in the balance as full time approached but Thomas Shanahan gave Ballina some breathing space and in the dying minute one last Charlie Grace pointed free made sure as Ballina held out for a deserved victory at the end of eighty exciting minutes.
MATCH DIGEST
Ballina: William Bennett Quaid; Ruadhan O’Callaghan, Alex Quinn, Paul Keogh; Donal Houlihan, Cillian Ryan, Ronan Coughlan; Billy Collins (1-1), Sean Lyons; Niall Hannon, Charlie Grace (0-5, 3f), Thomas Shanahan (0-1); Luke Power (0-2f), Joe Finn, Calum Foley. Subs: Evan Molloy for Lyons (28); Garry Slevin for Coughlan (35); Sean Lyons for Foley (38).
Toomevara: Darragh Hayes; Jack Ryan, Michael Gleeson, Alex Ryan; Cormac Frend, Jack Doran (1-3, 1-2f, 0-1’65), Billy O’Brien; Alex Peng, Brian Farrell; Seamus Farrell, David Conway (0-4, 1f), Sean Connelly (0-1); Patrick Hackett, Aidan Ryan, James Kenneally.
Subs: Austin Duff for A Ryan (46); Jake Hackett (0-1f) for Sean Farrell (50).
Referee: Patrick Murray (Moneygall).