Cahir get the ideal start to championship 2024 with narrow win over Ballina

FBD Insurance Senior Football Championship -  Group 2 - Round 1

 Cahir 0-10

Ballina  0-8

By Michael Dundon

Cahir got their FBD Insurance county senior football championship group 2 campaign off to the ideal start with a hard-earned two-point win over Ballina in round 1 at The Ragg on Sunday.

The South Tipp lads’ success was based on a solid first-half performance that yielded a half-time advantage of four points, providing them with enough of a cushion to sustain them when the Ballina push came in the second half.

Intermediate champions in 2022, Ballina has high hopes for this year after an impressive debut in senior ranks last year, but the absence of county senior Stephen O’Brien, injured in the hurling championship the previous week, was a big blow. To add to their woes, they lost county U20 start Charlie King at the three-quarter stage as they were building up some momentum.

Cahir had county man Liam Casey back in the colours and he is a considerable addition to them. They were the more efficient team in a low-key first half with Conor O’Brien, an early substitution for the injured Ger Quinn, kicking all their five points (four from frees), as they established a lead of 0-5 to 0-1. 

Ballina were guilty of some lapses in front of the goal, from play and frees, having enjoyed as much possession as their rivals and they had some work to do in the second period if they were to salvage something from the game.

Further injury trouble for Ballina saw Eoghan Power limp off at the break, their backup resources being severely tested, but they rose manfully to the challenge. 

They slipped further behind at the start of the half, Kevin Grogan and Conor O’Brien registering points for Cahir after Jack O’Mahoney had the opener for Ballina.

David Kelly looked likely to net for Ballina in the 37th minute but his effort was charged down and the rebound hit the woodwork. Ben King pointed 2 Ballina frees and brought them within three points of their rivals(0-4 to 0-7) and on 41 minutes Teddy Doyle was denied a possible goal by a fine save from Aaron Wall, the Cahir captain and goalkeeper.

A goal from either of those two chances would have made a world of difference to Ballina. Cahir had points from Craig Guiry, Conor O Brien, and Liam Casey and were 0-10 to 0-5 ahead with eight minutes to play.

Cahir then lost Jake Kiely to a black card and had their backs to the wall as Ballina came forward in waves.  Teddy Doyle pointed a free, followed by a point from play, and then another pointed free in the 62nd minute, but the clock was against them and Cahir were delighted to hear referee Sean Everard call time with their noses in front.

In this three-team group, (Upperchurch-Drombane had a day off), an opening win was immensely important and gives Cahir a huge boost for the campaign. The merit of their win could not be disputed and the challenge for them now is to build on this encouraging start to make it to the knock-out stages. Liam Casey’s return is a big help to them and the substitution of Conor O’Brien also made a big impact when introduced, his accuracy from frees and play, was crucial to the win. Stephen Grogan, Michael O’Connor, Ciaran Condon, and goalkeeper Aaron Wall, the team captain, who made a couple of fine saves, also had big games for them.

Ballina must win their game with Upperchurch Drombane if they are to stay in the competition, While they will be disappointed with their first-half showing, their second-half performance was much improved. 

They will be hoping that Stephen O’Brien and Charlie King will be fit for the next round and that they will make better use of their possession, particularly in front of goal. County start Charlie King was their top performer and his withdrawal through injury was a huge setback.  Cillian Ryan, Jack O’Mahoney, Ben King, and Jessie Hanly worked hard for them.

Cahir: Aaron Wall; Sean Leahy, Michael O’Connor, Eoin Donaghy; Jessie Kiely, Stephen Grogan, Colin McEniry; Kevin Grogan (0-1), Eddie Kendrick; Jake Kiely, Liam Casey (0-1), Ian Flannery; Ger Quinn, Niall McKenna, Graig Guiry (0-1).

Subs used: Conor O’Brien (0-7, 0-5f) for Quinn (8); Dylan Butler for Guiry (51); Ciaran Condon for Jessie Kiely (53); Nicholas Reidy for McEniry (59); Guiry for Jake Kiley (60).

Ballina: Dara King; David Grace, Cillian Ryan, Paddy O’Donovan; James Hanly, Charlie King, Terry O’Halloran; David Coughlan, Michael Breen; Eoghan Power, Brian Carson, Teddy Doyle (0-4, 0-3f); Jack O Mahoney (0-2), David Kelly, Ben King (0-2f).

Subs used: Charlie Grace for Power (HT); Harry Byrne for David Kelly (38); Daniel Tighe for C King (45); Zak Egan for Carson (50); Colm O’Neill for B King (59).

Referee: Sean Everard (Moyne Templetuohy)