Ballina announce their arrival in senior football championship in Tipperary in some style

Ballina 6-11 Ardfinnan 3-13

Playing their first senior football championship game since being promoted from intermediate, Ballina made a strong statement of intent in this year’s County Senior Football Championship by defeating Ardfinnan at a wet Templemore on Friday night.

Ardfinnan got off to a good start when Michael Barlow scored off a mark in the opening minute.

Ballina were quick to respond and scored the next two points, from Teddy Doyle and Bernard King.

Oisin Ryan then scored a point for Ardfinnan in the sixth minute. The very impressive David Kelly won a long ball into the forward line, and while falling to the ground, the Ardfinnan defence seemed to stop playing (presumably thinking it was a free), allowing Kelly to rise and continue towards goal, as he slotted an opportunist goal past Michael Goonan.

Ardfinnan’s Gavin Whelan responded with a superb point, but in the 13th minute David Kelly calmly stroked the ball home for his second goal after Ardfinnan failed to deal with a loose ball in their back line.

After 20 minutes, the accurate Bernard King added a free and a point from play to make the score Ballina 2-4, Ardfinnan 0-3.
Michael Barlow and Gavin Whelan each scored two points for Ardfinnan, while Eoghan Power and Tom Lee scored the final two points of the half for Ballina, who led at half-time, 2-6 to 0-7.

For the men in maroon, Michal Barlow opened the second half with a fine point from play.

But Eoghan Power from a free and Charlie King from play kept the scoreboard ticking over with two excellent points for Ballina.
Things got worse for Ardfinnan, as Ballina scored 3-1 in the following four minutes with goals from David Kelly, Tom Lee and Bernard King, and a point from Teddy Doyle.

Ardfinnan sub Michael Hogan scored a point with his first touch, which was immediately followed by a point from the impressive Gerry Cronin. David Kelly again replied by kicking a fine point in the 44th minute for Ballina, who led by 5-11 to 0-10.

Ardfinnan seemed to throw caution to the wind and began pressing Ballina.

Gavin Whelan, who had been outstanding for Ardfinnan all night, sent a speculative high ball into the square, which Michael Barlow received and struck to the net for a goal.

Billy Hewitt kept pushing forward with a point and a goal after 53 minutes. Michael Breen then ended any hope of a comeback when he stormed through the heart of the Ardfinnan defence and scored a goal for Ballina. Ardfinnan, to their credit, fought back again and scored 1-1 in extra time thanks to a goal from Michael Barlow and a point from Gavin Whelan.

Ardfinnan will be very disappointed with this result; defensive lapses impacted greatly on their plans to be competitive and prevented them from getting any foothold in this game.

Scoring 3-13 would win most senior football matches, and if they can tighten up defensively, they may have a chance to progress in this group yet.

In scoring 6-11, Ballina have elevated their standing as a footballing force and must have a serious chance to top this group.
Their direct style, combined with their potent offensive structure, leaves them well positioned to be serious contenders when the final shake-up takes place in this year’s championship.

Ardfinnan: Michael Goonan, Darragh Boyle, Jack O’Neill, Shane Keating, Oisin Ryan (0-1), Colm O’ Shaughnessy, Sean Nagle, Gerry Cronin (0-1), Darragh O’Leary, Aaron Lonergan, Gavin Whelan (0-4), Jason Coffey, Jonathan Ryan, Billy Hewitt (1-1), Michael Barlow (2-5).

Subs: Michael Hogan (0-1) for Jonathan Ryan, Darragh O’Brien for Sean Nagle, Evan Barrett for Shane Keating, Andrew Heffernan for Billy Hewitt.

Ballina: Jerry O’Brien, Sam Loughran, James Hanley, Terry O’Halloran, Paddy O’Donovan, Teddy Doyle (0-2), Conor Power, Michael Breen (1-0), Matthew Power, Charlie King (0-2), Tom Lee (1-1), Eoghan Power (0-2), Bernard King (1-2), David Kelly (3-1), Cathal O’Donnell (0-1).

Subs: Daniel Tighe for Cathal O’Donnell, Harry Byrne for Matthew Power, Kian Donnelly for Bernard King, David Coughlan for Tom Lee.