McNicholas goal paves the way for Ballycomoyle victory

Ballycomoyle 1-9, Bunbrosna 0-11

A terrific goal by dual star Derek McNicholas proved crucial as Ballycomoyle claimed a narrow victory over Bunbrosna to reach the Junior 1 Football Championship quarter-final, at TEG Cusack Park on Sunday.

Bunbrosna, who also scrapped through on the head-to-head rule (they beat St Paul’s earlier in the campaign), enjoyed four-point leads on two different occasions, but a resurgent Ballycomoyle side claimed the spoils following a spirited second half performance.

Conditions were wet and the greasy sod made it tricky for both sides. It was Bunbrosna who led by three points at the break, 0-8 to 0-5, after looking the more threatening.

Bunbrosna, playing with the aid of the breeze, had squandered a couple of chances before wing back Noel Yourell put them ahead with the opening point on three minutes.

Barry O’Mara got his side’s second score with a fine effort after seven minutes and Darragh Lyons soon notched their third of the day. They were well in control at this stage.

However, Ballycomoyle replied with three unanswered scores from David Williams (one free) and Derek McNicholas, who converted a mark. Bunbrosna regained the lead when Simon Moorehead fisted over, but they missed a decent goal chance when John Kiernan fired a shot across the face of goal and wide.

Ballycomoyle were level again as the rain came down – centre forward John Egan kicking a neat score with the left peg. The vastly experienced Aidan Finnan put Bunbrosna ahead with a 19th minute point, while a pointed free from Lyons made it 0-6 to 0-4 in their favour.

Ken Conroy added to Bunbrosna’s lead and after Ronan Scally made the strides, Fintan Finnan shot over to double his side’s lead.

Ballycomoyle endured a ropey spell, but they had a good goal chance in the 29th minute: Derek McNicholas was through, but his low shot was partially saved by ‘keeper Alan Maguire at the expense of an unconverted 45’.

While three points separated the teams at the interval, it was all to play for.

Bunbrosna pushed further ahead when O’Mara converted a free, but Ballycomoyle got right back into the contest when McNicholas crashed a shot to the roof of the net in the 38th minute, making amends for his earlier miss.

McNicholas kicked a fine point to make it 0-10 to 1-6 in the 48th minute and it was very much in the melting pot at this juncture. The match was all square in the 52nd minute when substitute Noel Breslin pointed, but Bunbrosna regained the lead courtesy of a Yourell point, after he had played a one-two with Matthew Hope.

Bunbrosna missed a great goal chance in the 57th minute when substitute Finian Newman slipped full back John Kiernan through and he screwed his shot wide. That was the seminal moment.

Breslin (free) and John Egan shot two crucial points for Ballycomoyle, who led for the first time on the hour mark (1-9 to 0-11). Bunbrosna had an opportunity to equalise when Aidan Finnan earned a free at the death, but O’Mara (with the right boot from a very difficult position: in truth, a left-footed free-taker was required) dropped the ball short and Ballycomoyle won a relieving free.

Scorers: Ballycomoyle: D McNicholas 1-3 (0-1m), D Williams (1f), J Egan and N Breslin (1f) 0-2 each.

Bunbrosna: B O’Mara 0-3 (2f), D Lyons 0-2 (1f), N Yourell 0-2, S Moorehead, A Finnan, F Finnan and K Conroy 0-1 each.

Bunbrosna: Alan Maguire; Gavin Lyons, John Kiernan, Luke Kiernan; Matthew Hope, Simon Moorehead, Noel Yourell; Andrew Whitney, Conor Lyons; Ronan Scally, Aidan Finnan, Fintan Finnan; Ken Conroy, Darragh Lyons, Barry O’Mara. Subs: Conor Newman for G Lyons (38), Finian Newman for Conroy (53), Brian Maguire for F Finnan (53).

Ballycomoyle: Gary Lynch; Dan Reilly, Billy Ryan, Daire Hannon; TJ Higgins, Micheál Daly, Brian Caffrey; Eoin Daly, Eoin English; Brendan Doyle, John Egan, Cian Shyrane; David Williams, Derek McNicholas, Dan Higgins. Subs: Charles Flynn for Shyrane (24), Noel Breslin for English (38), James McHugh for Reilly (58).

Ref: Michael Gordon (Shandonagh).

Examiner's Eye on game

Man of The Match

Derek McNicholas (Ballycomoyle): The dual star scored 1-3 in total and took his second half goal chance emphatically.

Score of the match

McNicholas’ goal was a wonderful strike and it gave Ballycomoyle the momentum at a vital stage.

What it means

Both sides are through to the Junior 1 quarter-final, Bunbrosna qualifying by virtue of their earlier win over St Paul’s with whom they finished on equal points.