Late St Mary’s surge secures victory over Ballymore
St Mary's, Rochfortbridge 0-11, Ballymore 0-9
St Mary’s put over four late points in a row to get past a dogged Ballymore side at a humid TEG Cusack Park on Sunday evening last.
Ballymore were in search of their first win after a double digit defeat to Multyfarnham last time out. The Rochfortbridge based team narrowly got the better of Maryland in their previous match, and, having managed to maintain winning ways, they will face Multyfarnham in confident mood the next day. Ballymore's next assignment is against Kilbeggan Shamrocks.
St Mary’s were out of the traps early and were three points up six minutes into the contest before Ciaran Finerty got Ballymore up and running with a well taken point. A minute later, Ian Keelan had restored his team's three-point lead when he swivelled and scored.
But Ballymore outscored their opponents by 0-4 to 0-1 for the remainder of the half. Daniel Ennis had a chance to bury the ball in the net in the 16th minute, but decided to take his point. Sam Maxwell joined him among the Ballymore scorers, while St Mary’s lone scorer in this period was Keelan with a free which left his side leading 0-6 to 0-5 at half-time.
Ballymore were the ones on the front foot in the first five minutes of the second half thanks to two Sam Maxwell points before St Mary’s produced a late comeback to outmuscle their opponents.
It began with a Niall Cully and Liam Carey free before Maxwell replied once more for Ballymore in the 45th minute. Then, St Mary’s finished with the last four points of the game, nipping the win out of Ballymore’s grasp. A Jack Reid brace set them on their way, before a Niall Cully free and a fisted effort by midfielder Ed Alford ended the match in a St Mary’s victory.
Man of the match: Sam Maxwell (Ballymore). By scoring seven points in a good all round display, Sam Maxwell made the biggest impression.
Scorers - St Mary’s: Ian Keelan (1f), Niall Cully (2f) and Jack Reid 0-2 each; Aidan Robinson, Ed Alford, Eoin Forman, Darrah Hall and Liam Carey (0-1f) 0-1 each. Ballymore: Sam Maxwell 0-7 (0-4f), Daniel Ennis and Ciaran Finnerty 0-1 each.
St Mary’s Rochfortbridge: Ryan Judge; Peter Lawlor, Adam Kavanagh, Ed Whelehan; Paul Carey, Aidan Robinson, Jake Byrne; Sean Lyster, Ed Alford; Enda Cully, Ian Keelan, Niall Cully; Eoin Gorman, Darragh Hall, Liam Carey. Subs: Jack Reid for I Keelan (inj., 29 mins), Tiernan Fallon for E Gorman (40), Adam Bradley for E Cully (52), Brendan Bradley for J Byrne (55).
Ballymore: Conor McNeill; Jack Kearney, Sean Keena, Darragh Monaghan; Daniel Ennis, Ivan Smyth, Eoin Ryan; Brian McCabe, Declan Rooney; Eanna Keena, Sam Maxwell, Colm O’Roarke; Derek Molloy, Ronan McLoughlin, Ciaran Finerty. Subs: Brian Finerty for C Finerty (46), Barry McDermott for E Keena (47), Luke Power for D Molly (55), Shane Kincaid for D Rooney (59).
Referee: Brendan Keena (Ballynacargy).