Ballybrittas are crowned Division 3A champions

Ballybrittas Utd 2 

 Cappakeel Utd 0 

CCFL Division 3A 

A JOURNEY that began back in September has this week culminated with the crowning of Ballybrittas United as CCFL Division 3A champions. Ballybrittas knew a win over Cappakeel in Rath would be enough for them to capture the title, however, anything less would leave the door open for second-placed Spink Celtic, who have a game in hand.

It was a far harder fight that many would have expected, but second-half goals from Nathan Little and Alan Kinsella were enough to see the newly revived club get their hands on silverware at the very first time of asking.

Having lost their opening game of the season, Ballybrittas are unbeaten in the league ever since, with an 80%-win record before this game. Cappakeel are on the other end of the spectrum, bottom of Division 3A without a win.

The form-book suggested this could have been a precession for Ballybrittas, but Cappakeel showed incredible resolve to keep the hosts scoreless in the first half. Ballybrittas had multiple chances to take the lead in the first 45 minutes, but they could break the deadlock.

The rare drama of an indirect free kick was the highlight of the opening half an hour when Cappakeel goalkeeper Luke Ryan picked up a back-pass. Ballybrittas tried to go quickly with Ryan on the edge of his box; but the keeper recovered well to keep the hosts at bay.

Despite missing a score of first-team regulars, Ballybrittas would have expected better than a 0-0 stalemate at half time.

Cappakeel had been on the back-foot throughout the first half, but the visitors began to pose a real threat after the restart and very nearly took the lead after an hour only for Matthew Byron to clamour back to gather the ball right on his goal-line.

Just when it looked like Ballybrittas were never going to find a way through, they eventually took the lead in fortuitous fashion midway through the second half. A scuffed shot from Nathan Little from the edge of the box deflected off Stewie Kennedy, wrong-footing his goalkeeper, as the ball bobbled into the net.

It was heart breaking for Kennedy, who had been a warrior in defence from the word go. That took the sting out of both Cappakeel and the game as a whole.

Ballybrittas made sure of the three points - and with it, the Division 3A title - when Alan Kinsella scored with just five minutes remaining; turning beautifully on the penalty spot before seeing his finish go in off the inside of the upright.

There was great scenes in Rath as a very proud Ballybrittas United were presented with their well-deserved CCFL Division 3A trophy.

SCORERS:

Ballybrittas Utd: Nathan Little Alan Kinsella (1 goal each).

BALLYBRITTAS UTD: Matthew Byron; Rory Doyle, Sean O'Flynn, Darragh McEvoy, Andrew Flynn; Michael Doyle, Nathan Little, Eoin O'Connell; Luke Doyle, Alan Kinsella, Paul O'Flynn.

Subs: Liam Ward for L. Doyle (55m), Martin O'Reilly for Little (86m), Neil O'Connell for E. O'Connell (86m).

CAPPAKEEL FC: Luke Ryan; Eoin Keenan, Stewie Kennedy, Leo Demora, Luke Scanlon; Gabi DiMarco, Matt Donagher, Adam Mullally; Sam Kennedy, Romario Barboza, Shaun Dube.

Subs: Darragh Hosey for Mullally (68m).

Referee: Tkaczyk Rafał.