Late Ballinderry goal ends Steelstown's hopes

O’Neills Senior Football Championship 

Ballinderry 1-7 

Steelstown 0-8 

A LATE goal from Glen McOscar earned Ballinderry their first win of the championship and with it ended Steelstown’s participation at a wet and windy Shamrock Park on Saturday afternoon.  

The lads from the city only needed to avoid defeat to set up a quarter-final clash with reigning champions Glen but after clawing their way back to lead they were hit with a late goal. They still had a chance of making the knockout stages when the final whistle sounded as Kilrea needed to win the late game in Loup to edge that last remaining spot and they did so with a point to spare. 

You get the feeling, after what had been a superb year for Steelstown both in the league and championship, that having that spot in their own hands this would be a major disappointment for them. However, for long periods you never got that feeling as it looked like Steelstown were not going full tilt for that needed result and maybe content at surviving in the top level was the main aim and mission accomplished. 

Ballinderry had nothing but pride at stake and this win will build confidence as they head into the relegation playoffs. Over the hour, they got the victory they deserved as they built up a three point lead at the break after playing with aid of the elements. The winning goal was not pretty but McOscar was on hand when the ball broke to fire to the net three minutes from time. 

Daniel McKinless started in goal for the home side who were also still without the services of Gareth McKinless, who has returned to training and may be available for that important relegation game in the coming weeks. It was Steelstown who began the game on the front foot and after winning possession from the throw-in, two minutes and 15 seconds later after passing it around waiting the opportunity Diarmuid Baker was fouled and Cahir McMonagle slotted over after it was moved forward for decent. 

Patience again for their second but this time it was a superbly hit point from range from McMonagle again on eight minutes. Both sides got their bodies back behind the ball when not in possession but while Steelstown were slow in their buildup, Ballinderry moved it much quicker to getting shots away, with the wind at their backs. Ruairi Forbes got them off the mark before they overturned Steelstown and a quick break from Shea McCann finished with a Matt Quinn point. 

Conor O’Neill edged them into the lead from a free after he was on the end of a high challenge. While Ballinderry missed further opportunities, at the other end Steelstown were overturned in numerous attacks and also dropped efforts short. The half was wrapped up with two well taken points from McCann who was very lively in the opening half. His second coming after a great block to deny Ben McCarron a score at the other end. 

Leading 0-5 to 0-2 at the interval, the home side made it six without reply on the resumption when McOscar popped over a point to open a four point advantage. Gradually the home side were pinned back and struggled to gain any ground and Steelstown clawed their way back into the game. McCarron began their comeback from a free and the same player added another from distance to leave just two between them. McMonagle reduced it to the minimum at the end of the third quarter. They also missed a great goal chance in that period when they broke quickly but wasted the chance with poor passing at the finish. 

Three further quick-fire points and the visitors had six in-a-row and two points clear entering the final 10 minutes. McCarron with the first after a great shoulder from Donnacha Gilmore had halted Eoin McCracken along the sideline. Oran McMenamin and a fine effort from Ryan Devine with the others. O’Neill, with a free after good play in pushing up on the kickout, forced the error was the home side's first score in 20 minutes. Then came the winner when a high looping effort dropped short and broke kindly for McOscar to find the net and earn the win for Ballinderry. 

The Shamrocks will wrap up their group games on Wednesday when they welcome Loup for their rearranged clash with both sides already set for the relegation playoffs. For Steelstown it is a matter of what might have been but when all settles they can look back on a solid year. 

Teams & Scorers

Ballinderry: C McOscar 1-1, S McCann 0-2, C O’Neill 0-2(f), R Forbes 0-1, M Quinn 0-1

Steelstown: C McMonagle 0-3 (1f), B McCarron 0-3 (1f), R Devine 0-1, O McMenamin 0-1. 

Ballinderry: Daniel McKinless; Eoin McCracken, Oisin Duffin, Eoghan Rocks; Conor Nevin, Eoin Devlin, Shea McCann; Glen McOscar, Charlie Crozier; Niall O’Donnell, Matt Quinn, Ruairi Forbes; Mathew Smith, Connor O’Neill, John Quinn 

Subs: Darren Lawn, Shea Coleman. 

Steelstown: Mickey McKinney; Ryan McCloskey, Diarmuid Baker, Padraig Nelis, Eoin Canavan, NeilForester, Oran Fox; Ryan Devine, Donnacha Gilmore; Ben McCarron, Cahir McMonagle, Eoghan Concannon; Oran McMenamin, Eoghan Bradley, Shane O’Connor. 

Subs: Cormac Mooney, Morgan Murray, Emmett Deane. 

Referee: Richie Donohue (Slaughtneil)