O'Leary the hero for Ballon
Michael O'Leary was the matchwinner for Ballon Photo: Pat Ahern
Veteran forward, Michael O’Leary came into the action in the second half and scored a crucial two points as Ballon bounced back to clinch their place in the last four. It was a hard-fought junior football A championship victory at Netwatch Cullen Park on Friday.
Asca drew first blood when Conor Byrne was given the freedom to kick over an easy 20 metre point at the scoreboard end of the ground. Liam Brennan levelled for the Wexford Road team and the sides remained tied when Jim Nolan for Ballon and John Dwyer traded points.
Ballon settled best and had two points in succession from Shane Duffy. Evan Corr added another.
Asca got a great boost towards the end of the half when Jack Phelan and Ben Doorley (free) raised white flags to leave Ballon marginally in front 0-5 to 0-4 at From there both teams went at it hammer and tongs in pursuit of victory. Phelan stroked an Asca penalty over the line.
Ballon came at them in waves. Corr and Kevin Maher both raised white flags while, in reply, James Ingram of Asca did well to force the ball over the crossbar. The Asca forwards lived on scraps after that as Ballon surged forward.
Asca lost centre-back, Danny Quigley to a black card. Corr converted the resultant free.
O’Leary squeezed the ball over the crossbar from close range. It was Asca’s turn to go in search of victory. Unfortunately for them, they registered a wide.
Ballon created one final chance. When they opened the Asca defence O’Leary had a clear goal chance but this time he settled to punch over. It was a wise decision and proved to be a match-winner.
Scorers
E Corr 0-3 (1f), S Duffy, M O’Leary 0-2 each, L Brennan, L Maher, J Nolan 0-1 each.
J Phelan 1-2 (1-0 pen), J Ingram, C Byrne, J Dwyer, B Doorley (f) 0-1 each
Colm Barry; Joshua Fernandez, Lorcan Doyle, Johnny Maher; Jimmy Carroll, Fionn McCaffrey, Brendan Fanning; Jim Nolan, Conor Bolger; Corey Kelleher, Evan Corr, Conor Kearney; Liam Brennan, Peter Zerafa, Shane Duffy. Subs: Kevin Maher for Zerafa (36), Donnacha Murphy for Kearney (36), Myles Hutton for Kelleher (38), Michael O’Leary for Brennan (46), Callum Crawford for Carroll (58).
William Long; Aaron Bowden, Stephen Fennell, Mark O’Brien; Jack Phelan, Danny Quigley, Diarmuid Long; Bryan Jackson, John Phiri; Leo Hurley, Ben Doorley, Conor O’Brien; James Ingram, Conor Byrne, John Dwyer. Subs: Evan McAteer for Bowden (33), Ben Deacon for Byrne (39), Andrew Vint for Hosey (57).
Brian Deering (Rathvilly).
