Ballina overwhelmed by Gortnahoe

GAA: FBS Insurance County Senior Hurling - Séamus Ó Riain Cup Group 3

Gortnahoe-Glengoole 4-15

Ballina 1-20

Report: Thomas Conway in Borrisoleigh

Having bridged a 32-year gap to claim the 2020 County Intermediate Championship, Gortnahoe-Glengoole marked their return to the senior ranks with a performance of top-tier quality, sweeping aside Ballina and staking a claim as outside contenders in the hunt for the Ó Riain Cup.

The North side probably failed to anticipate the sheer energy and attacking edge of their opposition, with Keith Corbett’s players combining brilliantly and dominating key sectors of the pitch.

It’s always tempting to imagine what Gortnahoe might have achieved had Shane Long chosen to pursue a career with the small ball in Tipperary. The 34-year-old’s mercurial pace and opportunistic finishing would certainly enhance his native club team, but ironically, Gortnahoe showed an abundance of those qualities last Sunday.

They were on the scoreboard inside the first-minute, Ronan Teehan forcing his way through before scooping the ball over. Michael Breen responded almost instantly, with Conor Maguire adding a second not long after.

Gortnahoe’s gameplan was founded on their half-back trio of Brian Maher, Martin Barnaville, and Colm Guilfoyle, all of whom acted as the catalysts for their attack, providing momentum and pressing high to force Ballina into defensive mode. Maher hit their second point approaching seven minutes, but within sixty seconds the Mid side had gained a foothold courtesy of a Teehan goal - a testament to their attacking pressure.

Donie Whelan restored some confidence with a tidy score from the left, but the Shannonside club were beginning to struggle against a strengthening Gortnahoe current, and by the time the water-break arrived, the ship was sinking. Across the field, Gortnahoe were consistently first to the breaking ball, and in the twelfth minute, Shay Butler continued the trend by snatching the sliotar on the bounce, working his way towards goal with a crafty solo-run and eventually hopping the ball past Martin McKeogh with an overhead bat. Maher landed a thundering long-distance effort just after, sending Gortnahoe into a 2-6 to 0-4 lead.

A gigantic Michael Breen free should have settled Ballina, yet Gortnahoe continued to play with composure, exchanging points and subduing any threat which Breen and his fellow forwards presented. Dan Finnerty’s pace had been under-utilised, the accomplished athlete isolated in corner-forward, but he managed to hit a neat point in the 25th minute.

His contribution was quickly overshadowed, as Darragh Maher supplied a dangerous delivery towards the Ballina goal, allowing Butler to grab hold of possession and slot a similar finish to his first.

With a half-time advantage of 3-11 to 0-8, Gortnahoe were oozing confidence, while Ballina resembled a team of talented players who just couldn’t seem to glue a gameplan together. Things improved slightly in the third quarter, as the North side introduced Tom Collins into the fold. The seasoned defender immediately anchored the back-line, releasing David Kelly and enabling him to power forward into the action. Kelly was exceptional, fusing strength with explosive speed and taking the game to the opposition. However, it was never going to be enough.

Darragh Maher and Teehan slotted points, before the former slammed the door firmly shut, swooping the ball home with a deft overhead flick from a few metres out - the hurling equivalent of a bicycle-kick. Prior to that, Matthew Power had provided Ballina with some hope with a brace of points, but Maher’s 46th minute goal ended the game as a contest, Gortnahoe now leading 4-13 to 0-15.

A late consolation goal by Sam Loughran made the final score-line slightly more palatable from a Ballina perspective. Still painful though.

Player of the Match: Brian Maher (Gortnahoe-Glengoole)

Gortnahoe-Glengoole: Timmy Dunne (7), Enda McCarthy (7), Davy Nolan (7), Philly Purcell (7), Brian Maher (0-3, 9), Martin Barnaville (0-1, 8), Colm Guilfoyle (8), Jack Moore (7), Karl Campion (8), Fionn Cleary (0-2, 7), Ronan Teehan (1-5, 0-3f) 9), Shay Butler (2-0, 8), Gearóid Fahey (0-1, 8), Kevin Slattery (7), Darragh Maher (1-3, 8).

Sub: Jamie Moriarty (NR) for Guilfoyle (59).

Ballina: Martin McKeogh (6), Conor Power (6), David Kelly (0-1, 8), Jerry O’Brien (6), Steven O’Brien (0-1, 7), Conor Maguire (7), Mike Grace (6), Paddy O’Donovan (7), Sam Loughran (1-0, 7), David Grace (6), Michael Breen (0-6, 3f, 1 65) 7), Eoghan Power (0-3, 7), Donie Whelan (0-4, 8), Aidan Hanly (7), Dan Finnerty (0-1, 7).

Subs: Matthew Power (7) for D Grace (HT); Kian Donnelly (0-1, 6) for Finnerty (HT); Tom Collins (7) for M Grace (HT); George Kealy (6) for Donovan (53).

Referee: Paddy Ivors (Ballingarry).