Ballina defeat Nenagh to retain North U21 'A' Football title

GAA: North Tipperary Under 21 ‘A’ Football Final

Ballina 3-9

Nenagh Eire Og 1-6

Report: Liam Hogan at St Michael’s Park, Toomevara

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Zack Egan (Ballina).

SCORERS - Ballina: Luke Power 1-2; David Nolan 1-1 (1-0 pen); Zack Egan 0-3; Gary Slevin 1-0; Enda Tormey, Cillian Ryan, Liam O’Shaughnessy 0-1 each.

Nenagh Eire Og: Michael Cleary McLoone 1-2 (1-0 pen); Zac Keller 0-2; Michael Ryan (free), Aodhan O’Connor 0-1 each.

Their greater ability to make most of their chances helped Ballina defeat Nenagh Eire Og to retain the North Tipperary Under 21 ‘A’ Football final on Friday evening.

Two first half goals in the 19th and 26th minutes helped the holders to a 2-6 to 0-3 half time lead; in a half they dominated with eight wides.

Nenagh had half chances approaching half time but poor finishing kept them well out of range. However, the sky blues showed some improvement in the third quarter and had the deficit down to four but once Ballina secured their third goal in the 47th minute, it was all over.

Both sides squandered chances in the opening bouts before Zac Keller had the opening point for Nenagh in the seventh minute. Ballina were level through a fisted point by Zack Egan with David Nolan giving them the lead in the tenth minute.

Continued good play from Ballina saw Egan score a two-pointer in the 15th minute before Luke Power’s free and Enda Tormey’s point from play had the margin out to five.

Nenagh had occasional chances but nothing threatening while Ballina had no such trouble and in the 19th minute Gary Slevin found the net after Luke McKeogh’s effort was well saved by Nenagh keeper Rice Cottrell.

Seven minutes later, David Nolan was fouled in the square and he converted the spot kick; eleven points now separated the teams.

Nenagh needed a response and points by Michael Cleary McLoone and Michael Ryan (free) in a period they might have profited better but at half time it was Ballina 2-6 Nenagh 0-3.

Playing with the breeze, Nenagh began the second half with intent and points by Zac Keller and Cleary McLoone was the perfect start before the latter fired home a penalty in the 35th minute after Daniel Connolly was fouled.

Twelve minutes went by without a score before Ballina wing back Cillian Ryan scored a point. Two minutes later, the game was as good as over as a move from defence to attack saw the Lakesiders score a goal after Luke McKeogh sent Luke Power through.

With Paddy Bradley leading the way, the blues began winding down the clock. Eleven minutes from time, Luke Power scored again for Ballina. Nenagh rallied but had to wait until the 58th minute to see Aodhan O’Connor score before Liam O’Shaughnessy replied as the game concluded.

TEAMS - Ballina: Conor Shanahan (7); Jack Grace (7), Paul McKeogh (7), Tadgh McKeogh (7); Ronan Coughlan (7), Zack Egan (8), Cillian Ryan (7); Tom Shanahan (7), Paddy Bradley (8); Enda Tormey (7), Luke McKeogh (7), Luke Power (8); Gary Slevin (7), David Nolan (7), Tom Russell (7).

Subs: Liam O’Shaughnessy (6) for Slevin (38); Cian O’Donoghue (6) for Nolan (42); Ger McWey for Power (50); David Nolan for Russell (58).

Nenagh Eire Og: Rice Cottrell (7); Michael Kennedy (7), Conor Hodgins (7), Evan White (7); James Heffernan (6), Aodhan Tucker (7), Adam Boland (6); Michael Cleary McLoone (8), Aodhan O’Connor (7); Eoin Garrigan (6), Zac Keller (6), Daniel Connolly (6); Keelin Rice (6), Dylan Kelly McKenna (6), Michael Ryan (6).

Subs: Charlie Talbot (NR) for Connolly (58); Bill Crotty (NR) for Kelly McKenna (58); Diarmuid Nolan (NR) for White (59); Senan O’Farrell (NR) for Ryan (59).

Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea).