Ballina defeated by well-drilled Ardfinnan but still progresses to the quarter-finals

FBD Senior Football Championship - Group 2 - Round 3

Ardfinnan 0-13

Ballina 0-10

By John O’Shea 

Ardfinnan pulled out all the stops in their battle to avoid the relegation play-off when they battled hard to defeat Ballina by three in this FBD Insurance Senior Football Championship Round 3, Group 2 game at Annacarty on Sunday evening.

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Heading into this game, they propped the group and knew that, at the very least, a victory was required for score difference to kick in. Colm O’Shaughnessy, playing in his first game of the championship, was back from Australia and played his part in this victory as they finished in third place, above Grangemockler Ballyneale.

Despite the loss, Ballina finished in second place on score difference and advanced to the quarter finals, where they will play either Loughmore Castleiney or Upperchurch Drombane. 

They started brighter and scored four of the first five points while playing with the aid of a strong wind for the opening half, with Ben King in fine form. They led 0-5 to 0-3 after 13 minutes, but wouldn’t register their next score until the 48th minute.

Ardfinnan upped their game with Gerry Cronin and Michael Barlow coming more into it during the second quarter. Ballina were reduced to 13 players for a period either side of the half-time break after both Teddy Doyle and Eoghan Power were black carded. Ardfinnan led at the break by 0-10 to 0-5.

Following the throw-in at the start of the second half, JP Mbokha Tansia had to leave the field with a head injury following an accidental clash. The third quarter didn’t produce much by way of scores, but Ardfinnan added two minors to their half-time tally.

Steven O’Brien had to leave the field with a blood injury, but returned to dominate the scoreboard during the final quarter where Ballina outscored their opponents by five points to one, including a two-point free from O’Brien. However, Ardfinnan weathered the storm to secure a vital victory which ensures their senior status for at least another year.

Ballina played with the aid of a strong wind for the opening half and Ben King was off the mark with the opening score after three minutes. King doubled his tally when he finished a move involving Steven O’Brien and Josh Egan with a fisted point. 

Ardfinnan were slow to get to the pitch of the game, but Andrew Browne opened their account with a pointed free after five minutes. Eoghan Power and Ben King again stretched their lead out to three before Michael Barlow came alive with two points. Power kicked Ballina’s fifth point on 13 minutes, but this would be their last score until the 48th minute.

Points from Andrew Browne and Billy Hewitt had the sides level on 22 minutes before a converted 45 by Gerry Cronin gave Ardfinnan the lead which they would hold until the final whistle. With four minutes of normal time remaining before the break, Teddy Doyle was sidelined on a black card. 

Michael Barlow and Andrew Browne stretched Ardfinnan’s lead before Eoghan Power was black carded in added time following consultation between referee and linesman. Three minutes into added time, Michael Barlow kicked a two-point free to give Ardfinnan a five-point advantage at the break.

Following the restart, Ballina were unfortunate to lose JP Mbokha Tansia to a head injury following an accidental clash at the throw-in. Despite having a numerical advantage, Ardfinnan didn’t push on but added two points to their tally from Andrew Browne and Gavin Whelan. Steven O’Brien was forced to leave the field for six minutes coming up to the end of the third quarter with a blood injury, but returned to lead a Ballina recovery after they trailed by seven with 15 minutes remaining. He converted two frees before Michael Barlow pulled one back for Ardfinnan with four minutes of normal time remaining.

Ballina were attacking in numbers but were unable to get the goal that was required as they trailed by six. O’Brien converted a 45 before adding a two-point free on 61 minutes. Ardfinnan gained possession from the kick-out and played “keep ball” for the remainder of the four minutes of added time to secure a valuable victory.

Ardfinnan: Mark Goonan; Shane Keating, Darragh O’Leary, Darragh Boyle; Oisín Ryan, Sean Nagle, Jack O’Neill; Robert Condon, Gerry Cronin (0-1 45); Andrew Browne (0-4f), Colm O’Shaughnessy, Gavin Whelan (0-1); Michael Barlow (0-6, 1x2ptf, 0-2f), Billy Hewitt (0-1), Shane Ryan.

Subs used: Johnny English for Billy Hewitt (52); Luke O’Brien for Robert Condon (52).

Ballina: Dara King; Cillian Ryan, Zak Egan, David Coughlan; Terry O’Halloran, Charlie King, Conor Power; JP Mbokha Tansia, Josh Egan; Cathal O’Donnell, Teddy Doyle, Eoghan Power (0-2); Jack O’Mahony, Steven O’Brien (0-5, 1x2ptf, 0-2f, 0-1 45), Ben King (0-3, 0-1f).

Subs used: Paddy O’Donovan for JP Mbokha Tansia (31, inj); Finn Looney for Steven O’Brien (blood, 39-45); Charlie Grace for Ben King (45); Finn Looney for Cathal O’Donnell (45).

Referee: David Grogan (Aherlow)

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