GAA: Ballyfin maintain unbeaten run
7/28/2006 -
IHC Group A
Ballyfin 2-12 The Harps 1-12
AFTER a shabby start, Ballyfin collected their third brace of championship points with a great second half performance at Portlaoise on Sunday evening.
Played on a rock-like surface, the ball flew up and down the field and bounced in all directions. Ballyfin opened the scoring with a point from Sean Cowry inside the second minute. A dreadful error by Harps’ goalie saw the alert Richie Downey run in and tap the ball to an empty net.
The Harps recovered after a disastrous start and shot a brace of points from Shane Brophy and Shane Donoghue. Then Brian Galvin, star of their only victory so far, that landed a brace of points to level the game.
After 12 minutes, Sean Lowry regained the lead for Ballyfin from a free at the end of the quarter. The Harps were now taking control at midfield and hit a race of points from sharpshooter Brian Galvin. At half time The Harps led 0-7 to 1-2 and the Ballyfin mentors left the field with a worried look about them. Recent events still haunt their preparation.
Whatever was said at the half-time break, had a galvanising effect on them. The oldest player on the field - Eddie Fitzpatrick - showed the way with a fine point after 31 minutes. The Harps responded in a positive fashion and points from TJ Quinn and Niall Brophy increased their advantage.
Bu they were sucker punched by Ballyfin, first a goal a blistering drive from Eddie Fitzpatrick and he added a point to leave his side ahead 2-4 to 0-9. Ten minutes into the new half, hurling improved as both sides sensed victory, Jason Horan added a nice point for Ballyfin.
George Lanham added another from an acute angle. The Harps replied with two in a row from Brian Galvin. Ballyfin then began to establish their authority and points flowed from Eddie Fitzpatrick, Richie Downey and Sean Lowry to leave the ‘Greens’ ahead 2-9 to 0-11 with 12 minutes remaining.
The Harps began to tire at this stage but Brian Galvin kept them in the hunt with two fine points. Ballyfin were now firing on all cylinders and two in a row from senior county panellist Sean Lowry put them in a safe position. George Lanham a county minor panellist added an excellent point from out on the sideline.
The Harps were fading but on game the injured Damien Holohan his first touch saw him run out to the wing and send a reflect ball to the corner of the net and halve the margin. However, time ran out and Ballyfin preserved their one hundred percent record.
This win assured them of a place in the quarter finals - their clash with Colt could well decide who will take top spot in the group, slowly but surely Ballyfin are returning to normal and as the game progressed they grew in confidence.
In defence, Niall Keenan, Andy Bergin, David Connolly, Mark Dunne hurled well. Jason Horan in midfield, upfront George Lanham, Sean Lowry and Eddie Fitzpatrick took the honours for The Harps.
They too can make the quarter finals if they do not lose any players to a higher grade. Padraig Henderson played well at full back. Aiden Burke, Enda Murphy, Donal Bowe in defence, Tom White in midfield, upfront Brian Galvin excelled, John Prior and Shane Donoghue also performed well.
BALLYFIN: Niall Keenan; David Connolly, Andy Bergin, Owen Dunphy; Gary Dunne, Mark Dunne, Ronan McGrath; Jason Horan (0-1), Dermot McGill; Sean Lowry (0-5), Aidan Heffernan, George Lanham (0-12); Eric Coogan, Eddie Fitzpatrick (1-2), Richie Downey (1-1).
THE HARPS: Derek Breen; Sean Duggan, Padraig Henderson, Aiden Burke; Donal Bowe, Enda Murphy, Derek Phelan; Tom White, Pat Holland; Shane Brophy (0-1), TJ Quinn (0-1), Shane Donoghue (0-1); Brian Galvin (0-8), John Prior, Niall Brophy (0-1). Subs Dave Lalor for P. Henderson, D. Holohan (1-0) for N. Brophy.
REF: Liam Dunne.