O’Brien inspires Ballina to needed win

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 1

Ballina 3-18

Moyne-Templetuohy 1-19

Report: Liam Hogan in Borrisoleigh

In inspired substitution by Ballina when they introduced Steven O’Brien who goaled with his first touch helped his side to a crucial win over Moyne-Templetuohy in the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship on Saturday.

The Tipperary footballer had been on the injured list over the last three months and his appearance came as a bit of a surprise but a timely won.

The win may not have been pretty but a week after they won their first ever county senior football championship game the Shannonsiders will enter the last round of the hurling with a degree of confidence when they face Cashel King Cormacs where victory is a must to have a chance of progressing while at the same time, they will hope that Moyne-Templetuohy will do them a favour if they were overcome St Marys.

And while Ballina will rejoice in their victory spare a thought for Gearoid O’Connor and Moyne-Templetuohy where the Tipperary star, back in Ireland just forty-eight hours or so after a summer period in San Francisco, produced a man of the match performance with a brilliant display of free-taking, contributing seventeen points.

Aside from defeat there was more bad news for Moyne as they lost their inspirational centre back Conor Bowe who left the field ten minutes from time with a concerning looking knee injury.

The game opened in a whiz of excitement when Donie Whelan’s opening score for Ballina was matched by Gearoid O’Connor’s opening free, wind assisted from ninety metres. Ballina were four in front after David Kelly scored one of the goals of the season when he raced in past the Moyne defence and with the angle not so good, he batted to the net.

With Matthew Power and Gearoid O’Connor trading frees before scores came level for the sixth time in the opening 24 minutes after David Kelly scored a brilliant point to make it 1-7 to 0-10. Apart from Gearoid O’Connor converting frees, Moyne-Templetuohy could depend on Thomas Hamill who operated at full forward while Conor Bowe was also on the scoresheet.

The play became very much stop-start due to the concession of frees on both sides and the latest in the 28th minute saw Diarmuid Fogarty fouled in the large square. Paul Maher stood over the penalty, but his poorly struck shot was saved by Martin McKeogh who needed a second touch to clear off the line. Not out of danger, the Ballina defence were on hand, but Michael Breen was disposed by Eoin Guilfoyle who flicked the ball to the net and Moyne were three in front. Donie Whelan’s reply was important before Gearoid O’Connor’s nineth placed ball made the scoreline 1-11 to 1-8 at half time to the Mid-men.

The start of the second half continued as a shootout between Matthew Power and Gearoid O’Connor on frees as Moyne continued to lead by three approaching the 42nd minute. Then, Ballina introduced Steven O’Brien and his appearance caused a ripple among the Ballina support and within a minute, his first touch was to shoot to the net from close range as the Moyne-Templetuohy defence failed to deal with a high ball.

Inspired, Ballina pushed on forcing Paul Maher into a save at the expense of a 65 which Matthew Power converted. A pointed free by O’Connor had scores level but points by Matthew Power (free), Donie Whelan and Eoghan Power had Ballina three in front with eight minutes remaining before O’Connor and Matthew Power traded frees once more.

Ballina were on the front foot, and they might have increased their lead but inaccuracy in front of goal would delay their win as they hit five wides in a row while Gearoid O’Connor responded with another free. It was a good job their defence was doing well as James Hanley, Michael Breen, Sam Loughran and Jack Collins were very much to the fore with Collins particularly very prominent with his many clearances.

However, Matthew Power’s ninety metre free edged Ballina three to the good again only to see one final score by O’Connor free cut the margin back to two as the game entered additional time before one final Ballina attack saw Eoghan Power score their third goal which sealed the contest.

Player of the Match: Jack Collins (Ballina)

Ballina: Martin McKeogh (7); Zack Egan (7), James Hanly (7), Conor Power (7); Terry O’Halloran (7), Michael Breen (7), Jack Collins (8); Sam Loughran (8), Matthew Power (0-10, 9f, 8); David Kelly (1-2, 8), Eoghan Power (1-2, 7), Donie Whelan (0-3, 7); Cathal O’ Donnell (6), Kian Donnelly (7), Charlie King (0-1, 7).

Subs: Steven O’Brien (1-0, 7) for Donnelly (45); Ben King for C Power (57).

Moyne-Templetuohy: Paul Maher (7); Kevin Larkin (7), Eoin O’Gorman (7), Thomas Hassett (7); Ciaran Lloyd (7), Conor Bowe (0-1, 7), John Coghlan (7); Shane Lowe (7), Pierce Meade (7); Jack Taylor (7), Ger O’Connor (0-17, 16f, 1’65) 8), Tom Meade (7); Eamon Guilfoyle (1-0, 6), Tomas Hamill (0-1, 6), Diarmuid Fogarty (6).

Subs: Sean Hayes (6) for P Meade (44); Damien Cantwell (6) for Fogarty (54).

Referee: Ciaran O’Donovan (Burgess).