Last year's junior champs Ballon into back to back county finals
Evan Corr jumps with delight after scoring a goal for Ballon against Kildavin Clonegal.
On Saturday in Netwatch Cullen Park, youthful vim and a willingness to battle had its say as Ballon edged an excellent intermediate football championship semi-final. Manager, Alan Kelly, is in his second year with the club. The Rathvilly man has now led them to a junior and intermediate final in consecutive years. He paid tribute to the players attitude to training and to those entrusted with running the club.
“They are mad for it. They are good lads to train. They take instruction well. Ballon are an up and coming club. Hopefully, in two weeks-time, we can get over the line,” he said.
Their character was tested as early as the 6th minute when a Kildavin-Clonegal attack into the scoreboard end of the ground yielded a three-pointer from Liam Roberts. The defender needed two attempts but he made no mistake when the ball bounced nicely for him and he forced it across the line.
Ballon hit back with an Evan Corr point from play. Kildavin-Clonegal had the edge with Joe Roberts converting two frees and Pauric Hickey also raising a white flag. At one stage, Kildavin-Clonegal led by six points.
“We thought in the middle of the first half we had made a wrong decision by playing with the wind. We only had one point on the board,” noted Kelly.
Ballon dug ever so deeply. They chased and harried as if their lives depended on it. They were rewarded when Corey Kelliher landed a two-pointer to bring Ballon level. Conor Bolger also had the ball in the Kildavin-Clonegal net but after consulting with his umpires, the referee disallowed the goal. At the interval, the sides were level at 1-4 to 0-7.
Ballon scored the opening three points of the second half through Shane Duffy and Corr (2). Jake Nolan landed a two-pointer for Kildavin-Clonegal. He and Donal Hickey were also on the mark in the third quarter but they began to lose their way after that.
Fionn McCaffrey’s second point of the game acted as a settler for Ballon. Alex Kelliher struck for a goal which had an element of luck to it. On two occasions in the big square, the referee could have blown for frees. One to Ballon and the other to Kildavin-Clonegal when a defender was pushed in the back. Those are the moments. They balance over time. Sometimes you get them, sometimes you don’t.
Corrs 53rd minute point from play put the eventual winners six clear. Ballon needed that cushion. Joe Roberts hit back for a Kildavin goal and he also pointed from out on the left with two minutes to go. Corr and Kelliher raised white flags which were the insurance in a battle for the ages.
“Our plan was to run the ball in the second half and it worked well. We knew we had the legs in us so it wasn’t too bad,” said a relieved Kelly.
E Corr 1-5 (1f), A Kelliher 1-1, C Kelliher 0-3 (f 1-2p), F McCaffrey 0-2, S Duffy, J Carroll 0-1each.
J Roberts 1-4 (4fs), J Nolan 0-4 (1-2p), L Roberts 1-0, P Hickey, P Hickey 0-1 each
Dylan Cunningham; Josh Fernandez, Martin Carroll, Dan O’Connor; Lorcan Doyle, Conor Kelly, Rory McCaffrey; Jimmie Carroll, Conor Bolger; Callum Crawford, Shane Duffy, Fionn McCaffrey; Corey Kelliher, Brendan Fanning, Evan Corr.
Johnny Maher for Crawford (h/t), Alex Kelliher for Fanning (49), Jim Nolan for Carroll (58), Peter Zerafa for Cormican (60), Carroll for Bolger (64).
Conor Hendrick; Gavin Byrne, Philip Byrne, Lorcan Kinsella; Liam Roberts, John Kirwan, Ciaran Scott; Niall Hickey, Pauric Hickey; Daniel Murphy, Jake Nolan, Liam McGuill; Joe Roberts, Donal Hickey, Daniel Cronin.
Paul Kelly for P Byrne (28), Alex Callaghan for P Hickey (46), Jack Byrne for D Hickey (55).
Patrick Murphy (Ballinkillen).
