Ardfinnan survive late Ballina siege to march on to last eight

FBD Insurance Senior Football Championship - Group 1 - Round 3

Ardfinnan 1-13

Ballina 1-10

Ardfinnan secured their place in the FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship quarter-finals with a hard-earned three-point win over Ballina in a rousing encounter in Round 3 of Group 1 at Drombane on Friday night.

With Clonmel Commercials topping the group and safely through, this was a winner-takes-all contest, and both sides gave it everything in a very competitive contest that was in the balance up to the last kick of the game, a 14-metre free for Ballina, who were chasing an equalising goal.

While Ardfinnan look forward to their quarter-final, Ballina have the consolation of a Cusack Cup semi-final to keep their season alive, and on the evidence of this showing they will be right in the frame for honours there.

While there were mistakes in handling and option-taking on both sides, and turnovers aplenty, this was a wholehearted contest by two teams bent on victory. They attacked at every opportunity, and a handy-sized attendance enjoyed it thoroughly. Right through, there was little between them. Ardfinnan were 0-3 to 0-2 ahead when Matthew Power had a Ballina goal off a Ben King pass after 14 minutes.

Ardfinnan responded in style, Ronan Myles' two-pointer followed by a Darragh O'Leary point to put them ahead. Back came Ballina for three points on the trot from Steven O'Brien, Charlie King and Ben King for a 1-5 to 0-6 lead after 20 minutes. Ardfinnan came again, Gerry Cronin, whose aerial strength was a huge asset to the South side, scoring a great goal off a Ronan Myles pass in the 23rd minute.

The sides swapped points in the closing minutes to leave Ardfinnan making the running at half-time, 1-7 to 1-6, with everything to play for on resuming. Two minutes after restarting, Steven O'Brien levelled for Ballina as the contest grew in intensity. Ardfinnan were the more dangerous in front of goal, but Ballina were on their heels all the way, and Ardfinnan goalie Cian O'Mahoney made a great save to deny Ben King a goal, having earlier also blocked a Charlie King effort.

With eight minutes to play, Ardfinnan were three points clear but then lost Jack O'Neill to a red card after a melee involving several players, after which Steven O'Brien was also yellow-carded. A man short, Ardfinnan were under heavy pressure but stood their ground. Ballina had a last-ditch chance in injury time when awarded a 14-metre free. Steven O'Brien blasted for goal, but the effort was beaten away and referee Joe Leahy sounded the final whistle.

Ardfinnan's delight at the win was understandable. Their performance under manager Michael O'Sullivan, the former county selector, was most encouraging, with a high work-rate all round, and while there were errors, the spirit and commitment of the players was of the highest order. They may not be among the front-runners in the championship stakes, but they will "get their change" out of any side.

Darragh O'Leary, Sean Nagle and goalkeeper Cian O'Mahoney had big games in defence. Gerry Cronin's high-fielding was a valuable outlet on kick-outs. Luke O'Brien, Michael Barlow and Ronan Myles also contributed greatly to the success.

Ballina, as third-placed in the group, have the Cusack Cup competition to look forward to and, on this showing, will be fancying their chances in it. There is lots of talent in the side, with Steven O'Brien and Charlie King of the county squad leading the way. Kian Donnelly, James Hanley, Matthew Power and JP Mbokha Tansia also worked very hard.

Scorers: Ardfinnan: Michael Barlow (0-4, 0-2f), Gerry Cronin (1-0), Luke O'Brien, Ronan Myles, Shane Ryan (0-2 each), Darragh O'Leary, Billy Hewitt, James Murphy all 0-1 each.

Ballina: Matthew Power 1-1, Steven O'Brien, Ben King 0-2 each, Conor Power, David Grace, Charlie King, JP Mbokha Tansia, Dara King all 0-1 each.

Ardfinnan: Cian O'Mahoney; Darragh O'Brien, Robbie Condon, Shane Keating; Darragh O'Leary, Sean Nagle, Johnny English; Jack O'Neill, Ronan Myles; James Murphy, Michael Barlow, Gerry Cronin; Luke O'Brien, Billy Hewitt, Shane Ryan.

Subs used: Conor Makim for Keating (41); Aaron Lonergan for Hewitt (51); Oisin Ryan for Myles (60).

Ballina: Conor Shanahan; Cillian Ryan, Kian Donnelly, David Coughlan; James Hanley, Charlie King, Thomas Shanahan; Conor Power, JP Mbokha Tansia; Matthew Power, Steven O'Brien, Dara King; Ben King, David Grace, Sam Loughran.

Subs used: Eoghan Power for C Power (HT); Zak Egan for Grace (40); Paddy O'Donovan for Hanley (55); Josh Egan for Shanahan (58).

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne Templetuohy)