Ballina scored two first-half goals to down Grangemockler Ballyneale in Templetuohy

FBD Insurance Senior Football Championship - Group 2 - Round 1

Ballina 2-17

Grangemockler Ballyneale 0-13

By Michael Dundon

Two first-half goals set Ballina on course for a victory that was far more comfortable than anybody anticipated in the FBD Insurance county senior football championship group two, round one at Templetuohy on Saturday evening.

READ NEXT: JK Brackens find their way past a stubborn challenge from Arravale Rovers

Though Ballina got to the quarter-final last year, not many fancied them to get the better of the Grangemockler boys, recently promoted from intermediate ranks, but on the night, there was no question about the merit of the  Ballina win. They were clearly the better side and far more clinical in front of goal than their opponents.

To add to the merit of this win, it was achieved without their countymen, Steven O’Brien and Teddy Doyle. O Brien was carrying an injury and available for service if the occasion demanded it. Teddy Doyle was on holiday, as was county hurler Michael Breen. 

Overall, it was an immense win for the North Tipp lads in a group which also includes Clonmel commercials and Ardfinnan. Points will not come easily, and the margin between being in the knock-out stages or relegation is slim, hence the significance of this victory to get the campaign off on the right foot.

Grangemockler too were short-handed with Ben Comerford unavailable, but while allowing for his absence, they will be disappointed at both the quality and intensity of their performance. This loss places their senior status in jeopardy, with no margin for error in their upcoming games.

The goals were crucial. Jack O’Mahoney bagged the first after 11 minutes, when the sides were level at 0-2 each, applying the finishing touch emphatically to a slickly executed passing move out of their own defence. It was the boost Ballina needed, and they added points from Ben King and Cathal O’Donnell before striking again on 20 minutes.

This time, defender Thomas Shanahan, supporting another well-executed Ballina surge from defence, was in the right place to fire home a shot which Grangemockler goalie Eimhin Hanrahan got his hands to but could not prevent crossing the line. 

Grangemockler were in trouble, and Paidi O’Shea’s blast for a goal two minutes later skewed over the bar, depriving them of the goal they badly needed. 

To rub salt into the wound, Ballina finished the half with a flourish, points from Ben King, Jack O’Mahoney, Conor Power, and Eoghan Power sending them in at half-time with a 2-9 to 0-4 advantage.

Even allowing for the fact that they had the fresh breeze, it was hard to see them losing that lead. Grangemockler did better in the second half but, hampered by some erratic shooting, never really threatened to overtake their rivals. Manus McFadden might have had a goal late on but blazed over the bar, and Charlie King rounded off a great evening for Ballina with two late points.

A hugely important win for Ballina, who will give any team problems, especially at full strength. They have adapted well to the higher grade in football following their promotion two years ago, and their clash with Ardfinnan will now be particularly important, with Clonmel Commercials widely tipped to top this group. 

Ballina set themselves up well, and with Charlie King, Thomas Shanahan, JP Mbokha, Cathal O’Donnell, and particularly Jack O'Mahoney on top of their game, they can look forward with optimism to the upcoming rounds.

Grangemockler have some work to do if they are not to be caught up in the relegation battle. Their first half showing was simply not good enough, and while they improved later, they had left themselves with too much ground to make up. Ben Comerford’s return will help them. Dara Shelley, Eoin Kennedy, Sean O'Meara, Sean Daly, Paidi O’Shea, and Mark O’Shel did most to further their cause.

Scorers: Ballina: James O’Mahoney (1-3), Eoghan Power (0-4, 0-2f), Thomas Shanahan (1-0), Charlie King, Ben King (0-3 each), Cathal O’Donnell (0-2), Conor Power,  JP Mbokha (0-1 each).

Grangemockler Ballyneale: Mark O’Meara (0-5, 0-1f), Paidi O’Shea (0-4, 0-2f), Sean O’Meara, James O’Meara, Thomas Regan, Manus McFadden (0-1 each).

Ballina: Dara King; Cillian Ryan, Daniel Tighe, Conor Power; Terry O’Halloran, Charlie King, Thomas Shanahan; JP Mbokha, Josh Egan; Finn Looney, Ben King, Eoghan Power; James O’Mahoney, Cathal O’Donnell, Matthew Power.

Subs used: Charlie Grace for Looney (37); Paddy Bradley for M Power (44); James Frahill for E Power (57).

Grangemocckler Ballyneale: Eimhin Hanrahan; James Daly, Conor Hahessy, John Lyons; Thomas Regan, Leon Kennedy, Dara Shelly; Michael Meaney, Joey Lyons; Sean O’Meara, Sean Daly, Brian Walsh; Paidi O’Shea, Mark O’Meara, Manus McFadden.

Subs used: James O’Meara for Meany (HT); Tom Brett for Walsh (56); Alex Millea for McFadden (58).

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne Templetuohy)

READ NEXT: One-way traffic in Tipperary football championship tie as Commercials beat Ardfinnan