Fresh faced Ballina ease past Grangemockler

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Football Championship Group 2 Round 1

Ballina 2-17

Grangemockler/Ballyneale 0-13

Report: Michael Dundon in Templetuohy

An understrength Ballina side emphatically saw off a fancied Grangemockler/Ballyneale in the opening round of group two of the County Senior Football Championship on Saturday evening to considerably strengthen their bid for a place in the knock-out stages.

Ballina reached the quarter-finals last year and bettering that from a group that includes strong South opposition in Clonmel Commercials and Ardfinnan is a big ask for the North boys but this win sets them up nicely for the coming rounds with their clash with Ardfinnan likely to decide which club qualifies from the group along with Commercials.

What makes this Ballina win all the more significant is the fact that it was achieved without three of their top performers.

Former county footballer Teddy Doyle and county hurler Michael Breen were absent while Tipperary captain Steven O’Brien, the club’s top performer, was kept in reserve due to injury.

As it transpired his services were not required. Ballina’s first half dominance which earned them an interval lead of 2-9 to 0-4, gave them a cushion to absorb the best Grangemockler’s improved second half showing could throw at them, and long before Joe Leahy’s final whistle, the points were securely within Ballina’s grasp.

Two first half goals were a big factor in Ballina’s win. Jack O’Mahoney got the first after eleven minutes, confidently finishing off an excellent counter-attack by Ballina, for a 1-2 to 0-2 lead.

Ben King and Cathal O’Donnell followed with points before, in the 20th minute, Thomas Shanahan was on the end of another excellent Ballina move to fire home a shot that Grangemockler goalie Eimhin Hanrahan got his hands to but couldn’t prevent crossing the line.

Paidi O’Shea had a goal chance for Grangemockler after 22 minutes but blazed over the bar. Ballina took full advantage to add points from Ben King, Jack O’Mahoney, Conor Power, and Eoghan Power for an interval lead of 2-9 to 0-4.

It was hard to see Grangemockler reversing that situation in the second half, but they did better when they resumed but their patient build-up strategy was dogged by some erratic shooting, the consequence being that they never threatened to make serious inroads into the deficit.

Ballina were content to keep the scoreboard ticking over and they finished with a flourish as Charlie King whipped over injury time points to boost their scoring difference if that should come into play later on.

Given the quality of their absentees, this was a very impressive performance from Ballina who appear to be growing into the senior echelon with every game. Their athleticism and use of the ball was superior to their rivals and while more difficult tasks lie ahead, getting the campaign off on such a high note eases the pressure on them.

All round they were industrious, disciplined, and enthusiastic with big performances from such as Charlie King, Jack O’Mahoney, Eoghan Power, JP Mbokha Tansia, Thomas Shanahan, and Cathal O’Donnell pushing them to this success.

Grangemockler/Ballyneale have work to do if they are to retain their senior standard, not to mind qualifying for the knock-out stages. Tardiness in the build-up and poor finishing contributed to their downfall, their first half performance in particular scuppering their chances of taking the points.

They have no room for error now and having to face two powerhouses in Commercials and Ardfinnan will seriously test their resolve. Leon Kennedy, Mark O’Meara, Sean O’Meara, Conor Hahessy, and Dara Shelly were their top performers.

Player of the Match: Jack O’Mahoney (Ballina)

Ballina: Dara King (6); Cillian Ryan (6), Daniel Tighe (6), Conor Power (0-1, 6); Terry O’Halloran (6), Charlie King (0-3, 7), Thomas Shanahan (1-0, 7); J.P. Mbokha (0-1, 7), Josh Egan (6); Finn Looney (6), Ben King (0-3, 7), Eoghan Power (0-4, 2f, 7); Jack O’Mahoney (1-3, 0-1,2pt 8), Cathal O’Donnell (0-2, 6), Matthew Power (6).

Subs: Charlie Grace (6) for Looney (37); Paddy Bradley (6) for M Power (44); James Frahill (NR) for E Power (57).

Grangemockler/Ballyneale: Eimhin Hanrahan (6); James Daly (6), Conor Hahessy (6), John Lyons (6); Thomas Regan (0-1, 6), Leon Kennedy (7), Dara Shelly (7); Michael Meaney (6), Joey Lyons (6); Sean O’Meara (0-1, 7), Sean Daly (7), Brian Walsh (6); Paidi O’Shea (0-4, 2f, 6), Mark O’Meara (0-5, 1x2pt, 1f, 7), Manus McFadden (0-1, 6).

Subs: James O’Meara (0-1, 6) for Meaney (HT); Tom Brett (NR) for Walsh (56); Alex Millea (NR) for McFadden (58).

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne-Templetuohy).