Ballybrown keep destiny in own hands with Garryspillane scalp

Despite holding the advantage for all of the second half, the Clarina men were made sweat late on, as the Bouncers, reduced to fourteen failed to throw in the towel.

Fri, 08 Sep, 2023 - 21:44

Tom Clancy

Ballybrown 3-22 Garryspillane 4-14

Ballybrown kept their destiny in their own hands after doing enough to see off Garryspillane.

Despite holding the advantage for all of the second half, the Clarina men were made sweat late on, as the Bouncers, reduced to fourteen, failed to throw in the towel.

Garryspillane will need a positive result against South Liberties in their final game to secure their senior status – in what is essentially a relegation final. Ballybrown are in a straight shootout with neighbours Mungret St. Paul’s. The winner will win the group, promotion and book a knockout place.

Ballybrown, unbeaten in their first three outings, were off the mark with teenager Barry Adams buried his fifth goal of the season after an incredible take and turn. The underdogs replied with two quickfire goals to lead 2-4 to 1-2 after nine minutes.

Goals from veteran Kieran Hickey and a second from John English helped them into a strong position. Hickey the provider for the second. But, like last week, they were unable to build on a fast start and conceded eight of the next nine points.

Colin Coughlan, Luke O’Connor and Josh Adams were all on target as the men in white when back in front. They pushed five clear at half-time as they finally got their second goal. Aidan O’Connor had gone close while Adams was denied a second by a top-drawer save from Adam Sheehan.

There was no denying Coughlan, who picked a bottom corner after impressive work from Andrew Cliffe. Ballybrown led 2-12 to 2-7 after a frantic opening half.

The second half struggled to match the quality, with the margin out to seven by the 45th minute. The Bouncers, who only have one draw thus far, were struggling to create the openings until the game lost most of its structure.

A red card, in the 47th minute for Ciaran Sheehan for striking Barry Adams left Garryspillane in real trouble. Adams was cautioned for his involvement in the incident, much to the bemusement of those wearing black and amber.

Colin Ryan brought the gap back to just four when he whipped to the net from close range. But Cliffe stood up when the need was greatest for Ballybrown. He scored 1-2 including, while Luke O’Connor and Colin Coughlan helped them coast out to ten clear for the first time.

A late flicked goal by Hickey helped cut the gap but untimely, the Knocklong side came up short.

Scorers for Ballybrown: A Cliffe 1-7 (0-3f); C Coughlan 1-3; B Adams 1-2; A O’Connor 0-3 (0-1f); M Gavin, J Adams, D Hartnett 0-1 each.

Scorers for Garryspillane: C Ryan 1-5 (0-4f); K Hickey 2-0; B Heavey 0-5 (0-5f); J English 1-0;C Sheehan, M Quinlan 0-2 each.

Ballybrown: J O’Reilly; K Foster, S O’Reilly, M Sheehan; M Gavin, J Adams, K Power; D Hartnett, L Doolan; C Coughlan, L O’Connor, R Griffin; A O’Connor, A Cliffe, B Adams.

Subs: B O’Connor for Power (49); N Quinn for Hartnett (51); Ross Kenny for Griffin (59), Richie Kenny for Foster (60).

Garryspillane: A Sheehan; R Tobin, R Donovan, M Quinlan; B Heavey, E O’Mahoney, C Sheehan; R Sampson, M Burke; D Barry, J English, P Morrissey; C Ryan, K Hickey, D O’Shea.

Subs: S Ryan for Morrissey (41).

Referee: Jonathan Hayes (St. Senan’s)