Lucky goal the difference as Ballyfore hold on for worthy win in new competition

A NEW competition to fill a vacuum between league and championship for junior football only clubs concluded in O'Connor Park on Friday evening when Shannonbridge and Ballyfore contested the Bill Healy Junior Football Cup.

Bill Healy Junior Football Cup final

Ballyfore 1-9

Shannonbridge 0-9

Commemorating the late Bill Healy, a powerful GAA stalwart from Doon who served club and county in several capacities over the decades – he was a selector on the Offaly side that won the 1988 All-Ireland U21 Football Championship in 1988 -, victory went to Ballyfore, who got their just reward for a very honest, hard working display in the second half in particular.

0-5 to 0-4 behind at half time, Ballyfore won the day with 1-1 without reply in the first six minutes of the second half. Unfortunately for Shannonbridge, the goal was a very soft one with Stevie Osbourne's shot dribbling in under the legs of goalkeeper, Trevor Mahon who just took his eye off the ball at the wrong moment in the 36^th minute.

Mahon was very steady apart from that error but the goal was the difference of a very keenly contested, evenly matched game.

Shannonbridge had been pipped by a point by Edenderry in the junior football final last year when they wasted a huge volume of possession in the second half. It wasn't quite as pronounced here but the west Offaly side had ample possession to have won as they struggled with scoring.

Two points from their best player Ronan McEvoy, one free, brought the gap back to a point, 1-5 to 0-7 after 17 minutes and Shannonbridge were well on top, looking like they might win it. Ballyfore did well not to concede too much and broke very well as points from Stevie Osbourne and Ben Whelahan opened up a three point gap with 53 minutes gone.

Their first point from a free from former Rhode player James Coffey and another Osbourne point from play pushed them 1-9 to 0-8 ahead as it went into injury time. Five minutes of injury time were played but Shannonbridge never looked like salvaging it as Ronan McEvoy went for goal from a free but it was tipped over the bar and Ballyfore defended solidly to hold on for a deserved win.

It was a worthwhile competition and meant something to both clubs here, who were very keen to grab early season silverware. It was contested between two clubs who have fallen on hard times in recent years and are fighting hard to raise things.

Both had a great run of success in the 1990s but have gradually slipped down the ladder. Ballyfore are now junior “B” while Shannonbridge are junior “A”, losing agonisingly to Edenderry in a final that was there for the taking last year. - – Ballyfore are operating at a lower level and may have wanted it that little bit more though Shannonbridge did not hold anything back.

The final went more or less as expected, a predictably close and keenly fought game with very little between the sides.

Ballyfore started brightly and were 0-3 to 0-1 up after seventeen minutes, Ben Whelahan's point the pick of the bunch. A two point free and one from play from the experienced Jack Darcy saw Shannonbridge grab a 0-4 to 0-3 lead after 27 minutes.

The half had a lively finish as Mark Whelahan levelled up for Ballyfore but a Ronan McEvoy '45' gave Shannonbridge a 0-5 to 0-4 interval lead – Ballyfore were happy to only concede a point as Jack Darcy got in for a great goal chance but shot too high and Cain Brereton made a very good save.

It was very much in the melting pot for the second half but once Ballyfore got their noses in front, Shannonbridge were struggling to score and never really looked like they would win it.

MATCH ANAYLSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Stevie Osbourne (Ballyfore): Ballyfore had a lot of very committed players, who were solid and didn't do much wrong. Mark Whelahan, Ben Whelahan, Dinny Evans and sub James Coffey all caught the eye at different stages while Stevie Osbourne gets the nod. His goal didn't have a whole lot to do with him other than he kicked it in the direction of the posts but his 1-3 was a game winning contribution. He was hungry for the ball, eager to get shots off and took good points as well as moving on good ball.

Ronan McEvoy was almost a game winner for Shannonbridge while Jack Darcy was a big loss when he went off injured after 42 minutes.

THE SCORERS

Ballyfore: Stevie Osbourne 1-3, Ben Whelahan 0-2, Mark Whelahan, Josh Perry, Tadgh McBride and James Coffey (f) 0-1 each.

Shannonbridge: Ronan McEvoy 0-5 (2f and 1 '45'), Jack Darcy 0-3 (1 x 2pf), Sean Flannery 0-1.

THE TEAMS

BALLYFORE: Cain Brereton; Sean Mullaniff, Shane Ryan, Gavin Conlon; Seanie Coffey, Mark Whelahan, Ross Mangan; Dinny Evans, Ben Whelahan; Seamus Perry, Niall Spain, Patrick Larkin; Josh Perry, Tadgh O'Brien, Stevie Osbourne. Subs - James Coffey for Larkin (HT), Tom Mangan for McBride (58m),

SHANNONBRIDGE: Trevor Mahon; Rory O'Connor, Darragh Mannion, Shane Flannery; Conor Brazil, Matthew Darcy, Darragh Hynes; Sean Flannery, Ronan Devery; Paddy Ryan, Jack Darcy, Darragh Corbett; Fionn Claffey, Ronan McEvoy, Charlie Gibson. Subs – Bryan Rohan for Jack Darcy, inj. (42m), David Corbett for Ryan (45m), Aaron Brazil for Mannion (56m), Bill Egan for Claffey (58m), Kevin Flynn for Flannery (63m).

Referee – Kevin Williamson (Tullamore).

REFEREE WATCH

It was an easy game for a man of Kevin Williamson's experience and ability to handle and he did it without fuss. Fully aware of the new rules having tutored fellow officials in Offaly, he got almost every call correct.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Ballyfore's goal was the decisive moment here.

VENUE WATCH

While there was always going to be a very small crowd at this, the decision was taken to raise the profile of this new competition with an O'Connor Park setting. The pitch was excellent once again, after looking a bit ropey earlier in the year, and the County Board gave this final full honours, producing a programme and announcing teams etc.

WHAT'S NEXT

Both sides now concentrate on the championship.

STATISTICS

Wides: Ballyfore – 4 (2 in first half); Shannonbridge -4 (0 in first half|).

Yellow cards: Ballyfore – 4 (Shane Ryan, Seanie Coffey, Gavin Conlon, Tadgh McBride); Shannonbridge – 0.

Black cards: 0

Red cards: 0