Ballina face relegation battle following defeat to Gortnahoe

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Championship Group 3

Gortnahoe/Glengoole 2-15

Ballina 2-9

Report: James Hayden in Borrisoleigh

Gortnahoe/Glengoole overcame a below-par Ballina side in what proved a lacklustre County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship tie on Saturday.

The Mid-side mined a thoroughly deserved victory, digging deep after Ballina were gifted a tonic start thanks to an early Steven O’Brien major and a close-range Michael Breen free, and battling for all they were worth throughout in order to overcome a stiff Ballina challenge.

Despite the miserable opening half weatherwise and slippery underfoot conditions both sides battled hard against the elements with Gortnahoe hitting four points without reply in what was a perfect answer to Ballina’s bright opening.

The influential Keane Hayes bagged three (two frees) while centre-forward Ronan Teehan was also on target as the Mid-men cut the deficit to a solitary point by the twenty-minute mark.

The Mid-side also had to contend with an early injury blow after eight minutes when full-back Karl Campion was forced off through injury, but Colm Scott proved an able replacement.

Through sheer perseverance Gortnahoe edged in front on 21 minutes thanks to another well-struck Keane Hayes placed ball before Michael Breen restored parity with a close-range free. Breen stepped up again minutes later to convert again from a placed ball before a sublimely-fashioned Gortnahoe goal propelled the men in red into a lead they would never relinquish. Gearóid Fahy was on target with a cracking shot after Adrian Maher’s defence-splitting looping hand-pass put him clean through on goal, 1-5 to 1-3.

Ballina did register a point just before the interval to leave the bare minimum between the sides at the break, 1-5 to 1-4.

With the rain easing off for the start of the second-half it was turn of Gortnahoe to engineer a timely fillip with Darragh Maher finding the back of the Ballina net after just 40 seconds. Adrian Maher and Darragh Maher followed up with successive points as Gortnahoe took a firm grip on proceedings.

Ballina manager Eamonn Power attempted to freshen up his flagging side and introduced three quick-fire substitutes.

Gortnahoe kept winning the battles though and by the 46th minute led 2-10 to 1-5 after Keane Hayes (free) and Darragh Maher kept the umpires busy with fine efforts.

Ballina were handed a 50th minute lifeline though after Matthew Power latched onto a booming delivery from goalkeeper Martin McKeogh and netted with aplomb.

However, Gortnahoe’s response was immediate with Darragh Maher knifing over from the tightest of angles, and at this stage you could sense Ballina's resolve was waning.

Ballina battled hard in the closing ten minutes to get back into contention, but Gortnahoe’s defence held firm as men in blue went in search of goals. Ronan Teehan and Keane Hayes (free) also kept the scoreboard ticking for the Mid-men as Ballina's fate edged closer.

It wasn’t to be though, and Ballina must now face into a relegation battle while Gortnahoe/Glengoole will be setting their sights on the knock-out stages.

Impressive for Gortnahoe/Glengoole were Colm Scott, Adrian Maher, Ronan Teehan, Colm Scott, Martin Barnaville, Keane Hayes and Darragh Maher while Sam Loughran, Jack Collins, Steven O’Brien, and Michael Breen were to the fore for Ballina.

Player of the Match: Darragh Maher (Gortnahoe/Glengoole)

Gortnahoe/Glengoole: Timmy Dunne (7), Enda McCarthy (7), Karl Campion (NR), Philip Purcell (7); Martin Barnaville (7), David Nolan (7), Brian Maher (7); Karl Collins (7), Adrian Maher (0-1, 8); Jack Moore (7), Ronan Teehan (0-2, 8), Gearoid Fahey (1-0, 8); Darragh Maher (1-3, 8), Kevin Slattery (7), Keane Hayes (0-9, 6f) 8).

Subs: Colm Scott (7) for Campion (8 inj); Liam Hayes (6) for A Maher (44); Bobby Doheny (6) for Collins (53); Tommy Duggan (6) for Teehan (56); Sam Guilfoyle (NR) for Slattery (60).

Ballina: Martin McKeogh (7), Terry O’Halloran (7), Josh Egan (7), James Hanly (7); Sam Loughran (7), Jack Collins (7), Conor Power (7); David Grace (7), Paddy O’Donovan (7); Ben King (7), Corey Ryan (7), Michael Breen (0-6, 3f) 7); Donie Whelan (7), Steven O’Brien (1-1, 7), Eoin Power (0-1f, 7).

Subs: Conor Maguire (0-1, 6) for Ryan (38); Matthew Power (1-0, 6) for King (38); Tom Collins (7) for C Power (42).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels).