Defeat for Clonaslee St Manman's against Ballylinan sees them relegated to Division Three

Clonaslee St Manman's have been relegated to Division 3 of the Football League after a narrow loss away to Ballylinan on Thursday night. Gary Walsh kicked 0-7 to lead the home side to victory, but they were made to wait on the result of Friday night's game to learn their fate.

Both sides came into the game on one point, having each drawn with Emo and lost to Rosenallis. Despite the victory, Ballylinan know that a win for Emo over an already safe Rosenallis would mean they join Clonaslee in the lower tier next season.

Ballylinan 0-15 

Clonaslee St Manman's 2-6

Clonaslee St Manman’s were two-point winners when the teams met in the round robin six weeks ago - but neither side had managed a win since. And it was a cagey first half between two out-of-form sides.

The hosts opened the scoring early but Clonaslee were rewarded for their strong start with a goal in the 10th minute. Niall Corbet came in from the right and hit a great finish to ripple the net. 

The visitors stopped taking their chances after that, however, as Ballylinan began to take control in midfield. Ryan Brady, Ciaran Farrell, Kevin Byrne; Cathail Dunne kicked a point each before Liam Kealy got the fourth unanswered score to draw level in the 22nd minute.

Gary Walsh nudged Ballylinan in front with two quick marks. But Clonaslee St Manman’s found the net for a second time just before the break when James McRedmond turned the ball home from a long free-in.

Clonaslee led by a point at half time but only managed to kick 0-3 in the second half. They were still a point in front when full-forward Sean Condon was sent off for his second yellow card with seven minutes remaining. 

Brady then levelled the game before Walsh put Ballylinan two points up. When James McRedmond received a black card at the beginning of stoppage time, it looked a long way back for the visitors. Walsh kicked a final free to make it four without reply in the final ten minutes as Ballylinan won the game by three points.