Ballina finally click to preserve status

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

Ballina 4-16

Carrick Swan 1-13

Report: Joe Scully at The Ragg

Ballina ended their hurling year on a high-note with an emphatic twelve-point victory over a disappointing Carrick Swan in this County Premier Intermediate relegation semi-final on Sunday.

In a game which wasn’t always of the highest quality, but it never lacked in intensity or commitment from either side it was Ballina who ran out deserved winners after a strong second half performance, in the main based on an excellent defensive effort, which made life very difficult for the Carrick outfit, who only scored 1-4 from play.

Ballina lead throughout the game, and were lead excellently by the likes of Jack Collins, Matthew Power, Steven O’Brien and Donie Whelan who really came to the fore in the second half.

The first half was a cagey affair, with Ballina quickest out of the blocks, and had the lead as early as nineteen seconds with Matthew Power pointing from play. The South champions were level within a minute from their scorer-in-chief Gavin O’Halloran who ended with all bar two points of their total. Ballina would hit the next three scores from play from Jack Collins, Eoghan Power and Matthew Power. Carrick had the gap back down to a point again by the eighth minute thanks to two frees by O’Halloran.

A minute later, Ballina scored their first goal when after a bit of a scrap near the goal the ball fell to Steven O’Brien who batted to the net. O’Halloran was on the mark again with another free, which was followed by an O’Brien point from play out near the side-line for Ballina. O’Halloran then hit the next two scores, both from frees to leave just two in it.

Ballina would hit the next two scores from Mathew Power (free) and Donie Whelan from play. Carrick had the lead down to a point, with three in a row with an Aaron Dunne point, sandwiched in between two more O’Halloran frees. Matthew Power and O’Halloran would exchange frees to leave it 1-8 to 0-10 to Ballina at the break.

Carrick Swan were level within thirty seconds of the restart with O’Halloran on the mark again from play. However, the game changed dramatically a minute later when a Swan defender lost the ball coming out with it and was punished emphatically by Matthew Power who goaled.

A minute later came the flashpoint involving a number of players from both sides which lead to Ballina’s James Hanly and Swan’s Cory Ryan receiving their marching orders.

This incident seemed to fire-up Ballina more and they effectively had the game over in the next fifteen minutes scoring 1-4 without reply, two points from Whelan and one from Collins all from play, which was followed by a Matthew Power free.

The third goal came from Michael Breen in the 47th minute after he caught a side-line cut and finished well giving the keeper no chance to leave it 3-12 to 0-11.

Dean Waters replied for Carrick but any chance they had was soon extinguished by Donie Whelan who hit the next 1-2 from play, his goal a smart finish after he had found himself in loads of room close to goal.

Carrick replied with 1-1, both from O’Halloran, although the Ballina keeper will be disappointed to be beaten for the goal, which was a tame effort from about 45 metres out. Ballina would hit the last two scores, first a 65 from Breen and a point from play by Corey Ryan to secure their status while the Swan face off against Kiladangan to avoid the drop.

Player of the Match: Jack Collins (Ballina)

Ballina: Martin McKeogh (6), Sam Loughran (7), Josh Egan (7), Conor Power (6), James Hanly (6), Jack Collins (0-2, 9), Tom Collins (5), Paddy O’Donovan (6), David Grace (7), Mikey Breen (1-1, 0-1f) 6), Matthew Power (1-5, 0-3f) 8), Conor Maguire (6), Eoghan Power (0-1, 6), Steven O’Brien (1-1, 7), Donie Whelan (1-5, 9).

Subs: Diarmuid Whelan (7) for T Collins (18), Ben King (6) for M Power (51), Kian Donnelly (6) for Maguire (54), Corey Ryan (0-1, 6) for E Power (60), Brian Hurley (HR) for O’Brien (60+2).

Carrick Swan: Adam Kerwick (6), Shane Torpey (6), Stephen Hahessy (7), Dean Kiely (6), Scott Hogan (6), Colin Loughman (7), Billy Murphy (6), Eric O’Halloran (7), Ryan Waters (6), Aaron Dunne (0-1, 7), Kevin Lanigan (6), Gavin O’Halloran (1-11, 0-9f) 8), Dean Waters (0-1, 7), Cory Ryan (6), Taylor Fleming (6).

Subs: Jamie Holloway (6) for Fleming (37), Danny O’Hanlon (6) for Walters (42), Colin Waters (6) for Loughman (54), Dale O’Hanlon (6) for Kiely (54), Aidan Waters (HR) for Lanigan (58).

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch).