Relieved Erin Rovers snatch late win as Ballinagar reflect on what might have been

ERIN Rovers snatched a dramatic win when they just edged out Ballinagar in an engrossing Tullamore Court Hotel Intermediate Football Championship quarter-final in Killeigh on Saturday afternoon.

Tullamore Court Hotel Intermediate Football Championship quarter-final

Erin Rovers 0-14

Ballinagar 3-4

Former Offaly U-21 and minor player, Nathan Poland scored the winning point from a free for Erin Rovers deep in injury time and Ballinagar had a late chance to force extra time but Robbie Gallagher was off target from near 40 metres out.

It was an unlucky loss for Ballinagar who really put it up to the favourites and led most of the way. Free taking had been an issue for them and a factor in them only managing four points over the hour plus – Gallagher took on responsibility for that late kick with Geordi O'Meara and Morgan Tynan having missed earlier ones.

Erin Rovers, relegated from senior B last year, were expected to win against Ballinagar, who won junior, but this was a very closely contested match, in the balance from start to finish.

Ballinagar had looked set to advance when they led by two points with time drifting away but Erin Rovers found a late surge of form, scoring the final three points to advance to the semi-finals where they will meet either Daingean or St Brigid's – Tullamore are also in the semi-finals.

Erin Rovers did enjoy more possession and this is reflected by the fact that they got fourteen scores compared to seven for Ballinagar and also had 11 wides with three from Ballinagar. At the same time, Ballinagar could very easily have put them to the sword. They scored three goals and had clearcut chances to score at least another two more, either of which would have killed off the Pullough men.

Ballinagar sub Craig Strong almost ended it late on when hitting the post with a post at the goals and it was one of those games that could have swung either way.

Morgan Tynan was a big reason in Ballinagar going so close. While he died out of it a bit late on, he had a huge influence on proceedings, scoring 2-3 from play and dictating the game as he provided the bulk of their scores.

Playing against the wind in the first half, Ballinagar were in a great position at the break. Two goals from Morgan Tynan in the space of a minute helped them to a 2-2 to 0-6 half time lead – the first came after Jack Sheil hit the cross bar and Erin Rovers couldn't clear and he was left on his own for the second after gathering a Jamie Ballesty ball in.

Only a fine save by Kevin Lynam from Adam Strong prevented Ballinagar getting a third goal and that proved vital as a five time half time deficit facing into the wind could have been insurmountable.

Erin Rovers' experience and fitness from playing at a higher level helped them get well on top in the second half. They were level 2-3 to 0-9 when Geordi O'Meara got Ballinagar's third goal in the 40th minute, after a Ronan Crombie pass.

Ballinagar, however, could only score once more, a Tynan point, as Erin Rovers piled on fierce pressure. Eventually, the losers buckled as scores from Nathan Poland and Barry Buckley got them back into it.

Barry Buckley levelled it up in the 54th minute and in a drama packed finale, Ballinagar almost took it when Craig Strong raced in but hit the woodwork. Eventually Nathan Poland got the winner and a devastated Ballinagar were left to reflect on what might have been.

Scorers

Erin Rovers: Nathan Poland 0-8 (6fs), Barry Buckley 0-3, Richard Fox, Andrew Buckley and Carmine Russo 0-1 each.

Ballinagar: Morgan Tynan 2-3, Geordi O’Meara 1-0 and Robbie Gallagher 0-1 (1f).

The teams

Erin Rovers: Kevin Lynam; Sean Buckley, Gerard Buckley, Dean Buckley; Declan Buckley, Calvin Fox Kenna, Jack Poland Dooner; Ultan Carroll, Richard Fox; Dillon Kavanagh, Danny Scally, Stephen Buckley; Nathan Poland, Barry Buckley, Andrew Buckley. Subs: Carmine Russo for Fox Kenna (half-time), Gerard Lynam for S Buckley (35 min), Sean Tierney for Scally (48 min).

Ballinagar: Ryan Kinahan; Jack Gorry, Diarmuid Finneran, Dean Pierce; Adam Joyce, Declan Crombie, Aaron Gorman; Adam Strong, Morgan Tynan; Ronan Crombie, Geordi O’Meara, Robbie Gallagher; Jacob Beatty, Jack Sheil, Jamie Ballesty. Subs: Craig Strong for Gorry (35 min, injured), Steven Dwane for Beatty (40 min), Ryan Dunne for R Crombie (55 min).

Referee – Adam Kinahan (Clodiagh Gaels).