Ballina face into survival battle after defeat to Boherlahan

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 4

Boherlahan-Dualla 3-16

Ballina 2-12

Report: Noel Dundon

at Bishop Quinlan Park, Borrisoleigh

Ballina bowed out of the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship race on Sunday afternoon when, down to fourteen men for three-quarters of the encounter, they were unable to match the final push from Boherlahan-Dualla.

The dismissal of corner back Patrick O’Donovan in the 13th minute was certainly a talking point, and the result was that Boherlahan had the luxury of playing an extra man in defence for the remainder of the game, thereby limiting an already score-shy Ballina of opportunities to raise flags.

Indeed, the Ballina men only managed four points in the opening half and though they played into the breeze, the nine wides they struck during that half didn’t them any good in the final analysis.

Mind you, Boherlahan only managed two more scores in that half, and one wide less, but you always got the sense that once they figured out their set-up they would prevail.

The Boherlahan scores came from Brian Óg O’Dwyer, who had two, followed by Tomas Ryan and Ned Ryan in the first ten minutes. Ballina hit back though and Steven O’Brien, who was playing deep as a sweeper, had a long range effort for them.

The sending off of O’Donovan was a big blow, but Ballina absorbed the shock and had Matthew Power (2 frees) and Billy Collins scores to keep them in touch – Charlie Ryan and Tomas Ryan grabbing scores for Boherlahan to give them the 0-6 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Indeed, when Charlie Ryan and Óg O’Dwyer pointed early in the second half, Boherlahan looked to be about to sweep clear, only for Ballina to come storming back.

A Matthew Power goal in the 33rd minute after Boherlahan wasted several chances to clear their lines, threw Ballina a lifeline and when Steven O’Brien tied it up a minute later, it seemed like a humdinger of a second half was on the cards.

Boherlahan were patient in their approach and though Ballina keeper Simon Grace denied sub Mark Downey a goal in the 35th minute, they hit back in front with a Tomas Ryan 65-metre free.

Charlie King levelled and then put Ballina in front for the first of only two times in the game, but the lead was short lived as Boherlahan sub Mark Downey fired a fine goal in the 37th minute to regain the advantage after a brilliant sweeping team move.

Again, Ballina responded with Billy Collins, Luke McKeogh (2 frees), and sub Kian Donnelly shoving them back in front in their best spell of the match.

The question now was whether they could sustain the effort? Turns out they were unable to do so and in the final quarter the extra man proved vitally important, especially in the warm conditions.

Paddy Gahan tied the game once more with a one-handed effort followed by an Eoin McLoughney score to send the Mid men in front.

And when sub Seamus Leahy goaled in the 53rd minute followed by a Tomas Ryan point, the pendulum had swung very much in favour of Boherlahan.

They cantered to the finish with Paddy Gahan grabbing a third goal in the 58th minute followed by Seamus Leahy, Mark Downey and Tomas Ryan points to cap a seven-point victory – Luke McKeogh grabbing a point for Ballina before Michael Breen netted from a late 21-yard free.

Without a doubt the red card was a big call and the loss of a man certainly hurt Ballina, especially in that vital last quarter.

They had battled really hard but were just over run in that period despite the best efforts of Jack Collins, Michael Breen, Steven O’Brien, Luke McKeogh, Charlie King, and Sam Loughran.

Boherlahan-Dualla march on and will be a side nobody will be happy to meet.

They had considerable impact off the bench from Seamus Leahy and Mark Downey, while the performances of Martin Paul O’Dwyer, Conor Kennedy, Paddy Gahan, Brian Óg Dwyer, Charlie Ryan and Gerard O’Dwyer will have well pleased their management team.

Player of the Match: Tomas Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla)

Boherlahan-Dualla: Darragh Lacey (7), Conor Kennedy (7), Gerard O’Dwyer (6), John Ryan (6), Tomas Bourke (7), Martin Paul O’Dwyer (7), Ned Ryan (0-1, 6), Charlie Ryan (0-2, 8), David Clarke (6), Euan Ryan (6), Tomas Ryan (0-6, 4f, 8), Paddy Gahan (1-1, 7), Brian Óg O’Dwyer (0-3, 7), James Kirby (6), Eoin McLoughney (0-1, 6).

Subs: Mark Downey (1-1, 7) for E Ryan (29); Cathal Darcy (6) for Clarke (36); Seamus Leahy (1-1, 7) for Kirby (47); Conor Fogarty (NR) for Og O’Dwyer (59 Mins)

Ballina: Simon Grace (6), David Coughlan (6), Michael Breen (1-0f, 7), Patrick O’Donovan (6), Zac Egan (7), Jack Collins (6), Paul McKeogh (6), Sam Loughran (7), Terry O’Halloran (7), Luke McKeogh (0-3f, 7), Billy Collins (0-2, 6), Steven O’Brien (0-2, 7), Charlie King (0-2, 7), Josh Egan (6), Matthew Power (1-2, 0-2f, 6).

Subs: David Grace (6) for Power (43); Kian Donnelly (0-1, 7) for McKeogh (47); Tomas Shanahan (6) for Loughran (53); Enda Tormey (NR) for O’Halloran (57); Cillian Ryan (NR) for J Egan (57).

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh).