Junior B C’ship v Balla match report
Balla 1-9 Davitts 2-9
Davitts etched out a very hard-earned victory over Balla in this County Junior B Championship played in Balla on Sunday. Referee James Regan had a good game but he certainly had to be on his toes as the match threatened to boil over at times.
The home side shot the opening two points in the first five minutes but the wily Michael Conroy cancelled them out in the 6th and 8th minutes. A straight red card to Davitts’ Aidan McTigue a minute later, which led to a fortuitous Fearghal McGrath goal being chalked off, was a setback for the visitors. We had to wait until the 16th minute for the next score, a well-taken Balla goal. Davitts points from Fearghal McGrath, Fionn McLoughlin and Johnno Clarke were matched by the locals to leave Balla ahead by 1-5 to 0-5 at half-time.
Balla extended their lead to four in the first minute of the second half but then Davitts showed some real steel. Michael Conroy replied with a point in the next minute and midfielder Ronan McNamara finished off a terrific move, involving Michael Conroy, Fionn McLoughlin, Fearghal McGrath and Johnno Clarke, to the Balla net in the 33rd minute to tie the game. Points from Brian Clarke (2) and Fearghal McGrath put the visitors ahead by three as the game entered the final quarter. Fearghal McGrath and his Balla marker received their second yellow cards in the 52nd minute. A 54th minute Balla point narrowed the gap but two minutes later Darragh McGale supplied the finishing touch for a Davitts goal, after super approach play from John Kilkenny and Fionn McLoughlin. Balla shot the game’s last two scores, points in the 57th and 59th minutes, but Davitts held on to take the win.
Patrick Keadin, Brian Birmingham, Donie Ronayne, Brian Clarke, John Kilkenny, Ronan Kelly, Fionn McLoughlin, Fearghal McGrath and Michael Conroy played very well along with second half subs, Fionnan Gallagher, Thomas Ronayne and Darragh McGale.
Davitts: Tristan Diskin, Michael Hett, Brian Birmingham, Patrick Keadin, Brian Óg McTigue, Donie Ronayne, Brian Clarke (0-2), John Kilkenny, Ronan McNamara (1-0), Ronan Kelly, Johnno Clarke, Fionn McLoughlin (0-1), Aidan McTigue, Fearghal McGrath (0-2), Michael Conroy (0-3). Subs used: Fionnan Gallagher, Thomas Ronayne, Darragh McGale (1-0), Colm Roche.
