Ballon ready for Leinster adventure
Ballon's Fionn McCaffrey Photo: Pat Ahern
Ballon head into the relative unknown when they take on Wexford side, Cloughbawn in the first round of the Leinster Intermediate Football Championship on Friday next at Netwatch Cullen Park.
After beating Horeswood by 2-22 to 2-9 the previous Sunday when claiming the Wexford football title, the Clonroche based club sited at the foot of the Blackstairs Mountains completed a dramatic double over the weekend when Bob Whitty converted a long range and last ditch free to beat Davidstown-Courtwood by 0-15 to 1-11 in the intermediate hurling final.
Michael Daly, the Ballon manager, says everyone in Ballon is set for another day out with their footballers.
“We have looking at Cloughbawn and they won their intermediate as well. I think the majority of their players have played with both teams. It is a unique occasion and we are looking forward to it.” Even though a Leinster test was in the offing Daly admitted it was important the players were allowed to let what they had achieved sink in after they beat Tinryland in the Carlow decider.
“It was a very enjoyable celebration. We are very happy and wanted to make the most of it,” he said.
“We have been back since Friday and got the lads in. We have a couple of injuries. Everyone is happy enough and in good form. We are looking forward at having a go in this match against the Wexford champions.”
The early weekend throw-in comes as a bit of a surprise for Ballon.
“We have no idea. I think it was originally fixed for the Saturday but now it has been moved to lights on a Friday. I think it will be a nice occasion. We are looking forward to it. It will be good. It will be exciting,” Daly says.
