Ballyfin edge past Ballylinan after extra time thriller to reach IFC final

Ballyfin 1-23 

Ballylinan 2-10 

BALLYFIN booked their place in the Laois Shopping Centre IFC final after eventually overcoming Ballylinan following extra time in an exhilarating semi-final in Annanough on Sunday afternoon.

The victory keeps Ballyfin’s hopes of an immediate return to senior football alive, having only returned to the intermediate grade this season for the first time since 2014. They will now face Kilcavan in the county final in two weeks’ time.

Ballylinan led by five points in the 37th minute, but Ballyfin responded with a brilliant spell of seven unanswered points and eventually moved three clear entering injury time.

The comeback was built entirely on points, with Ballyfin unable to find the net in normal time.

Ballylinan appeared to have been beaten when Bobby Walsh was black-carded late on, but they produced one final attack.

Gary Walsh won possession from a hopeful ball forward and found Ryan Brady, who fired through a crowded goalmouth and into the net with virtually the last kick of normal time.

That forced extra time, but Ballylinan's reprieve was short-lived as Ballyfin would run riot in extra time to win by ten points in the end It had been Ballylinan who controlled much of the opening half.

Gary Walsh was excellent from placed balls, kicking four frees as his side moved into a 0-7 to 0-4 half-time lead. Ryan Brady, Andy McEvoy and Jamie Farrell were also on target, while Ballylinan passed up two good goal opportunities.

Ballyfin's first-half scores came from Sean Moore, who converted two frees after being fouled himself, along with Adam Connolly and Darragh Connolly.

The second half, however, was a completely different story.

Jack Julian did score a goal for Ballylinan after Cathal Fennessy won possession, putting them five points clear, but Ballyfin responded emphatically.

Moore converted a free before Darragh Connolly raced through for a point, followed by three successive scores from Adam Connolly. Moore then added two more frees after Ballylinan conceded a couple of needless fouls.

That seven-point burst completely changed the game.

Gary Walsh responded with a mark and a free to bring Ballylinan level, but Ballyfin finished the half strongly, with Ronan Carroll and two points from Sean Moore putting them three ahead.

Ballylinan needed something special in injury time and got it through Brady, but the momentum was immediately lost when extra time began.

Sean Moore pointed from play and then Darragh Connolly fired to the net after his direct running opened up the defence.

Moore added another free, Darragh Prendergast was on target for his only score with a great effort after winning and, Adam Connolly and Moore (free) had it 1-20 to 2-9 as the sides changed ends.

James Moore, Ciaran Quinn and Sean Moore (free) then pointed to push it out to an incredible 11-point lead.

For Ballylinan, it was a hugely disappointing way to exit after having looked in control for long periods. For Ballyfin, attention now turns to Kilcavan and the opportunity to complete an immediate return to senior football.

SCORERS:

Ballyfin: Sean Moore 0-12 (0-10fs), Adam Connolly 0-5, Darragh Connolly 1-2, James Moore, Ciaran Quinn, Ronan Carroll and Darragh Prendergast 0-1 each.

Ballylinan: Gary Walsh 0-6 (1tpf, 0-4fs), Ryan Brady 1-1, Jack Julian 1-0, Jamie Farrell, Andy McEvoy and Ciaran Farrell 0-1 each.

BALLYFIN: Eoin Connolly; Conal Rowney, David Connolly, Sam O’Loughlin; Conor Cleary, James Finn, Ciaran Quinn; Darragh Connolly, Adam Connolly; Shane Connolly, Allan Connolly, Ronan Carroll; James Moore, Sean Moore, Darragh Prendergast.

Subs: Michael Moloney for S Connolly (40m), Ciaran Culleton for Cleary (et), Sean Dunne for Carroll (et), Stephen Bergin for Darragh Connolly (et).

BALLYLINAN: Mikey Walsh; Micheal Downey, Seamus Lacey, Bobby Walsh; Darragh Loughman, Alan Farrell, Jack Julian; Padraic McEvoy, Jamie Farrell; Tom Bride, Andy McEvoy, Ryan Brady; Cathal Fennessy, Gary Walsh, Ciaran Farrell.

Subs: Cathal Casey for Bride (43m), Jesse McEvoy for Fennessy (55m), Josh McDonald for B Walsh (68m), Conor Walsh for McEvoy (68m), Diarmuid Downey for Loughman (et, inj).