Ballina face relegation battle after second loss

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling – Seamus Ó Riain Cup Group 3

Killenaule 1-17

Ballina 0-17

Report: Thomas Conway in Borrisoleigh

Killenaule aren’t quite assured of a place in the knock-out stages of the Séamus Ó Riain Cup, but a three-point victory over Ballina last Sunday has edged the south club within touching distance of a quarter-final berth, simultaneously ending the north side’s hopes of progressing.

Following a blistering second quarter and a similarly impressive start to the second-half, what looked like it would be a relatively smooth path to victory suddenly became bumpy, as Ballina mounted a brave late fight-back which pushed them within a goal of their opponents.

Nobody doubts the potential in this Ballina side - their defensive unit is also a potent attacking threat, with an ability to drive up the field and launch scores from distance. Sometimes though, the shots fly but they don’t fly over, and it can end up costing a team, particularly when their opponents are having a rewarding day in front of the posts.

From a Killenaule perspective, it really was rewarding. Many would have anticipated John O’Dwyer to lead the points-scoring charge, but the Tipp forward wasn’t the star of the show. Instead, it was centre-back Joe O’Dwyer, along with the sharp-shooting abilities of another family member, Ciarán, which formed the fulcrum of the Killenaule attack.

Ballina were off the mark within the first minute, Matthew Power jogging back to launch a free from out the field, the dropping ball pounced on aggressively by Donie Whelan, then worked back out to midfielder Paddy O’Donovan, who took care of the rest. O’Dwyer responded with a free at the other end, cancelled out by Power almost immediately, before Killenaule started to get going.

With both sides operating a sweeper, it forced a period of long-range shooting, with Killenaule hitting the target on several occasions. Ciarán O’Dwyer was unerring from frees, but Power is a guy who rarely misses, and that trend continued as the 20-year-old breezed the ball over with effortless accuracy.

The middle third was swarmed, yet Ballina almost managed to exploit the space in behind. Breen and Kelly delivered ball over the top, and although Whelan and Brian Hurley worked tirelessly to win possession, Killenaule flocked back in numbers and closed off the space - creating the illusion of a vacuum before filling it with red shirts.

There wasn’t as much space at the other end, but just before the water-break Kieran Bergin managed to find a gap, collecting a nice offload from Tom Stakelum before powering right through. A goal might have been on the cards, but the former Tipp man sensibly decided to take the point, shooting his side into a 0-5 to 0-3 lead.

Killenaule started to thrive in the second quarter, establishing momentum thanks to two long-range gems from Joe O’Dwyer. It was high-tempo stuff from Kenneth Browne’s side and their 21st minute goal saw them accelerate further. Created by a weaving Ciarán O’Dwyer run, which transported the midfielder from the middle right to edge of Martin McKeogh’s goal, the move was finished with a straightforward double in the air by Paudie Feehan, who had been fed by a clever overhead hand-pass from Bergin.

Trailing 1-11 to 0-6 at half-time, Ballina eventually managed to regroup, but it didn't happen immediately, and Killenaule continued firing on the resumption. Wing-back Brian O'Connell opened their second-half account with a sweet strike on the run, before Michael Doyle hooked another one over on the turn.

In fairness to Ballina, they had started to revive before Gus Browne’s 48th minute sending off, the North side showing impressive composure to continue knocking over points, rather than searching exclusively for goals.

Breen and Kelly hit one each from distance, while Matthew Power didn’t seem the slightest bit phased by the obvious pressure on his shoulders. With the clock ticking into injury-time, and Ballina still behind by five, the North side were awarded a 65-metre free to the left of the target. Instructions were issued telling Power to opt for the point, rather than drop the ball in. It seemed nonsensical, but the plan had clear logic. Power struck over the free and a minute later, he hit another from the opposite side, causing Killenaule spectators to shudder ahead of the final play.

The South champions held firm though, ensuring the goal proved elusive. Not the smoothest of finishes for the winners, but they’ll take it all the same. They’ll also take a quarter-final spot, if they can secure a point against Gortnahoe in their last group game.

Player of the Match: Joe O'Dwyer (Killenaule)

Killenaule: Jonathan Gleeson (7), Jack Hassett (7), Paddy Codd (7), Killian O’Dwyer (7), Eoin O’Connell (0-1, 8), Joe O’Dwyer (0-3, 9), Liam Meagher (7), Tom Stakelum (8), Ciarán O’Dwyer (0-8, 5f, 1 65) 8), Dean O'Connor (6), Paudie Feehan (1-0, 7), John O’Dwyer (7), Eoin Shaw (7), Kieran Bergin (0-2, 8), Michael Doyle (0-1, 7).

Subs: Matthew O'Donnell (7) for Feehan (HT); Gus Browne (NR) for O'Connor (36); Mark Stakelum (7) for Shaw (53).

Ballina: Martin McKeogh (7), Thomas Collins (7), David Kelly (0-2, 8), Gerry McKeogh (7), Michael Grace (0-1, 6), Michael Breen (0-2, 7), Conor Maguire (8), Paddy O’Donovan (0-1, 7), Sam Loughran (7), George Kealy (7), Eoghan Power (7), Steven O’Brien (0-1, 7), Brian Hurley (7), Donie Whelan (7), Matthew Power (0-10, 8f, 1’ 65) 9).

Subs: Kian Donnelly (7) for Hurley (31); Dan Finnerty (7) for Kealy (41); Conor Power (NR) for O’Donovan (60+1).

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh)