Ballina push Templederry over the trapdoor

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Relegation Semi-Final

Ballina 0-29

Templederry Kenyons 2-11

Report: James Hayden in Dolla

Ballina survived a dramatic second-half fightback from Templederry Kenyons to preserve their Premier Intermediate status for another year following a pulsating relegation semi-final on Saturday afternoon.

The beaten North finalists looked to have established a commanding position during the first half, but were forced to withstand an almighty second-half onslaught from a determined Templederry outfit before eventually securing a hard-earned victory.

For Ballina, this was a victory built on composure and character. The Collins brothers, Jack & Billy, contributed ten points between them, while Matthew Power was outstanding from placed balls and play, finishing with nine points, three from play.

At the opposite end, Templederry’s talisman Sean Ryan was once again their outstanding scoring threat. Ryan finished with a magnificent 2-8, including four frees and a penalty, and kept the Kenyons firmly in contention throughout a gripping contest.

Playing into a brisk diagonal breeze, Templederry made the brighter start and struck for an early goal when Gearoid Ryan delivered a superbly measured ball from deep into the Ballina defence, allowing Sean Ryan to finish clinically.

Ballina had actually opened the scoring inside the fifteen seconds through Zac Egan, and they quickly restored parity as Billy & Jack Collins found the target by the sixth minute.

Ryan responded with two points for the Kenyons before further efforts from Josh Egan and Matthew Power brought Ballina level once again after eleven minutes.

Templederry then edged two points clear, but Ballina were beginning to find their rhythm and Liam McCutcheon responded with the first of his three points from play.

Ballina gradually took control as the second quarter progressed with the excellent Steven O’Brien and Charlie King both finding the target before Jack Collins and a superb long-range free from Matthew Power opened up a four-point advantage with 23 minutes played.

Power added another point a minute later before Templederry were awarded a penalty when Zak Egan was adjudged to have pulled down Mattie Hogan as he advanced towards goal. Sean Ryan made no mistake from the spot, rifling the ball past Simon Grace to give the Kenyons renewed hope.

Ballina’s response was emphatic. Adrian Hurley’s charges rattled over four points in a four-minute spell between the 25th & 29th minutes, demonstrating the resilience that would ultimately prove decisive. Ryan and Power exchanged further scores before the break, but a close-range Sean Ryan free in added time ensured that Templederry remained firmly in touch at half-time, trailing 2-8 to 0-18.

The Kenyons emerged from the interval with renewed purpose and immediately set about reducing the deficit. Three points in succession — two from centre-forward Adrian Ryan and another from full-forward Sean Ryan cut Ballina’s advantage to the minimum and suddenly the momentum had swung dramatically in Templederry’s favour.

Power steadied Ballina’s nerves with a well-struck free, but Sean Ryan was in no mood to relent, producing an audacious score from the wing to keep the Kenyons within touching distance. Templederry continued to hound Ballina throughout the third quarter and another Ryan point in the 48th minute left just six points between the teams, 0-23 to 2-14.

Matthew Hogan and Sam Loughran exchanged scores on the 50-minute mark before Templederry produced their strongest spell of the game. Two Colm Murray frees, followed by a fine point from substitute Pa O’Leary, brought the Kenyons level for the first time, 2-19 to 0-25.

The contest was now well and truly in the melting pot. With Premier Intermediate survival at stake, neither side was prepared to yield an inch. Templederry had opportunities to seize the initiative, but two efforts drifted wide when scores were desperately needed.

Ballina finally edged two points clear again when Jack & Billy Collins found the target in quick succession, but there was still one final twist as Sean Ryan converted a 59th-minute free to leave the minimum between the sides.

The closing stages were played at a frantic pace as Ballina dug desperately deep to protect their slender advantage. In time added on, Josh Egan and Thomas Shanahan both raised white flags to give Ballina some desperately needed breathing space.

Liam McCutcheon responded with a 63rd-minute point for Templederry, but despite throwing everything forward during the dying moments, the Kenyons could not find a way through a resolute Ballina defence.

When referee Ger Fitzpatrick finally brought proceedings to a close, Ballina could celebrate a hugely significant victory which keeps them in the Premier Intermediate grade, while Templederry are now just one game away from relegation.

Jack Collins, Steven O’Brien, Billy Collins, Josh Egan and Matthew Power were outstanding for Ballina, while Sean Ryan, Liam McCutcheon, Mattie Hogan, Brian Stapleton and Adrian Ryan impressed for Templederry.

Player of the Match: Steven O'Brien (Ballina).

Ballina: Simon Grace (7); David Coughlan (7), Michael Breen (J-Capt 7), Patrick O’Donovan (7); Zak Egan (0-2, 7), Jack Collins (J-Capt, 0-5, 1 s-cut, 8), Sam Loughran (0-1, 7); Thomas Shanahan (0-1, 7), Terry O’Halloran (7); Luke McKeogh (0-2, 7), Billy Collins (0-5, 8), Steven O’Brien (0-1, 7); Charlie King (0-1, 7), Josh Egan (0-2, 7), Matthew Power (0-9, 6f, 8).

Subs: Paul McKeogh (6) for O’Halloran (50); Kian Donnelly (NR) for Loughran (56).

Templederry Kenyons: John Kennedy (7); Brian Rohan (7), Mike Ryan (7), Padraig Hogan (7); Brian Stapleton (7), Eanna Murray (7), Dale Donnelly (7); Liam McCutcheon (0-3, 8), Mattie Hogan (0-2, 7); Gearoid Ryan (7), Adrian Ryan (0-3, 8), Colm Murray (0-4, 3f, 7); Michael Collins (7), Sean Ryan (2-8 (1-0 pen, 0-4f) 8), Sean Collins (6).

Subs: Christy Coughlan (7) for P Hogan (45); Pa O’Leary (0-1, 7) for S Collins (47).

Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea).