Ballylinan battle past Ballyroan-Abbey after extra-time to seal semi-final place

Ballylinan's quest to get straight back up to senior remains on course after they beat Ballyroan-Abbey on Saturday evening. Ballylinan were the better team throughout the game and led by nine points with the game coming to an end.

But the fans in Crettyard got their money's worth and then some when Ballyroan-Abbey snatched the game back with three goals in the final five minutes. Extra time proved a step too far, however, as Ballylinan scored a couple of goals of their own to finally seal the result.

Ballylinan 2-22

Ballyroan-Abbey 3-9 (AET)

Ballyroan-Abbey began the game by trying to soak up pressure and hit on the counter-attack. The tactic saw them level at 0-3 apiece after ten minutes, but Ballylinan were very wasteful in the final third.

A point either way kept the scoreboard ticking before Ballylinan started to get a hold of the game. They kicked four points without reply in a strong spell. There was a flurry of scores from either side at the end of the half with Ballylinan leading by 0-11 to 0-7 at the break.

Ballyroan-Abbey really struggled to penetrate the opposition defence as Ballylinan continued to pick off scores throughout the second half. Pauric Clancey's men kicked five unanswered points to lead the game by nine with less than ten minutes remaining.

Things became even more difficult for Ballyroan-Abbey when Lawson Obulor was shown a black card. However, with five minutes left on the clock, substitute Eoghan Whelan got on the end of a long ball and scored what looked to be a consolation goal.

With the clock in the red, Obulor returned to the field and made an immediate impact, forcing the ball into Conor Brennan, who finished from close range. Then, with the last action of the game, Whelan got his second goal as a persistent Ballyroan-Abbey forced the game into extra time.

But Ballylinan were determined not to let the game slip through their fingers, and pulled away shortly after throw-in. Brady twice assisted substitute, Cathal Casey as Ballylinan scored two goals of their own to get well out in front.

There was one last fight-back from Ballyroan-Abbey, but Ballylinan landed three more points towards the end to put an added gloss on the final score. Ryan Brady was sensation from the 1st minute to the 80th, covering every blade of grass and keeping the tempo up for Ballylinan.

He looked dangerous every time he got on the ball and was more than happy to get involved in the physical side of things. As well as scoring 0-4 off three frees, Brady also made both of Ballylinan's goals with some scintillating football.

Ballylinan squeaked past Crettyard in a blistering Round 1 game and this win means they have booked their place in the semi-finals. While Ballyroan-Abbey were far too strong for Timahoe in the opening game, they know face a quarter-final against the Division 3 champions Mountmellick.