Paul Kingston and Oisin Byrne help Arles-Killeen over the line against Ballyfin

Arles-Killeen have secured their place in the Winners’ Section of Round 2 after they defeated Ballyfin by four points in the LOETB Centre of Excellence this evening.

Arles-Killeen 0-12

Ballyfin 0-8

This game took its time to ignite as seven minutes passed without either side registering a score. The only chance in that period fell to Ballyfin but their effort hit the post when going for a point. Sean O’Shea was fouled for the game’s first score with Laois star Paul Kingston pointing the free. Paul Kingston made it two points in two minutes with another free.

Ballyfin’s first white flag was raised in the 12th minute as Adam Connolly split the posts. Paul Kingston almost had a goal soon after as his goal-bound effort struck the post. Billy O’Loughlin made it four points to one with 19 minutes played. Sean Moore, making his Senior Championship return for Ballyfin, finally got his name on the scoresheet after he had kicked three wides. Paul Kingston kicked a third free of the first period before Adam Connolly got a second superb score as Arles-Killeen led 0-5 to 0-3.

Ballyfin levelled the game within four minutes of the restart as Darragh Connolly and Sean Moore (free) left the score at five points apiece. The Moore free came after Darragh Prendergast was fouled. Paul Kingston and Eamonn Duff traded scores with the sides level and 20 minutes to play.

Arles-Killeen then took the game by the scruff of the neck as they got the next four  scores without reply. Oisin Byrne kicked two frees and one from play as he performed a superb dummy solo to sell his marker and split the posts. In the midst of the scores, Sean O’Shea also hit the crossbar with Billy O’Loughlin pointing the rebound.

Adam Connolly got his third point with two minutes to go but Arles-Killeen saw out the game and Oisin Byrne pointed a late free to secure a four-point victory.