Walsh wonder-show fires Ballylinan to victory over Arles Kilcruise

Laois Shopping Centre Intermediate Football Championship Rd 1 

Ballylinan 2-16 

Arles Kilcruise 0-16 

BALLYLINAN got their Laois Shopping Centre Intermediate Football Championship off to a winning start with a 2-16 to 0-16 victory over Arles Kilcruise in Crettyard on Monday evening, setting up a second-round meeting with Mountmellick.

Two first-half goals proved decisive for Eddie Kinsella’s charges, with Ryan Brady and Gary Walsh finding the net, while Walsh delivered a superb individual display, finishing with an impressive 1-9.

For Arles Kilcruise, defeat sends them into the losers’ section where they will face Ballyroan-Abbey.

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half, Arles Kilcruise made the perfect start when Ethan Mackey won the throw-in and, after just 20 seconds, Aodhan Lowry split the posts from outside the arc for a two-pointer.

Ballylinan responded emphatically with 1-3 without reply. Tom Bride got them up and running with a fisted point after two minutes before Jesse McEvoy added another score. Gary Walsh then blasted to the net and Bride followed up with his second point to put Ballylinan firmly in control.

There was a 13-minute scoring drought before David Conway ended it from a free. Referee played advantage after Jesse McEvoy had blocked what looked a goal-bound effort from Alan McLoughlin, before bringing play back for the placed ball.

Ryan Brady restored Ballylinan’s four-point advantage with a point after 14 minutes, making it 1-4 to 0-3, but Arles Kilcruise then enjoyed their best spell of the contest.

They reeled off five unanswered points, including two more two-pointers. Lowry converted another effort from outside the arc after Conway had been fouled, Ben Slattery added a single point and Calum McElroy landed Arles Kilcruise’s third two-pointer to edge his side in front.

Ballylinan hit back in style. Walsh scored either side of Ryan Brady’s goal, the latter reacting quickest after winning the break of the ball, as Ballylinan regained the initiative.

Eolann Maguire struck Arles Kilcruise’s fourth two-pointer before the interval, but Walsh had the final say of the half to leave Ballylinan 2-7 to 0-10 ahead at the break, with the advantage of the wind still to come.

It took five minutes for the opening score of the second period, McElroy getting it for Arles Kilcruise. Conway, McElroy and Conway again, after showing great awareness with a quick solo before pointing, all added scores as Arles Kilcruise briefly moved back in front.

However, Walsh steadied Ballylinan with a two-point free for their first score of the second half before Brady added a point to restore a two-point cushion with 12 minutes remaining.

Discipline proved costly for Arles Kilcruise as they conceded a simple free for failing to return the ball, allowing Walsh to tap over. The same offence at the opposite end gifted Conway a straightforward free for Arles Kilcruise.

Ballylinan finished strongly, reeling off five unanswered points between the 56th and 61st minutes to put the result beyond doubt. Substitute Cathal Casey made an immediate impact, Bride registered his third point, and Walsh produced a stunning two-pointer. The Ballylinan forward was then denied a second goal by an excellent save from Ciaran Lawlor but calmly converted the resulting 45 to complete a brilliant tally of 1-9.

Conway landed the final score of the contest from a free, but Ballylinan had already done enough to seal a deserved 2-16 to 0-16 victory and a place in Round 2.

SCORERS:

Ballylinan: Gary Walsh 1-9 (1tp, 1tpf, 0-1 45, 0-1f), Ryan Brady 1-2, Tom Bride 0-3, Jesse McEvoy and Cathal Casey 0-1 each.

Arles Kilcruise: David Conway (0-4fs) 0-5, Aodhan Lowry (1tpf, 1tp) and Calum McElroy (1tpf) 0-4 each, Eolann Maguire (1tp) 0-2, Ben Slattery 0-1.

BALLYLINAN: Mikey Walsh; Micheal Downey, Seamus Lacey, Conor Walsh; Bobby Walsh, Alan Farrell, Jesse McEvoy; Jamie Farrell, Pauraic McEvoy; Ryan Brady, Ciaran Farrell, Jack Julian; Tom Bride, Cathal Fennessy, Gary Walsh.

Subs: Diarmuid Downey for C Walsh (11m, inj), Niall Hickey for McEvoy (40m), Andy McEvoy for Downey (41m), Cathal Casey for Brady (54m, inj), Patrick Julian for Bride (62m).

ARLES KILCRUISE: Ciaran Lawlor; Michael O’Shea, Conal Brennan, Adam George; Luke Donohue, Cialann Mulhall, Conor George; Eolann Maguire, Ethan Mackey; Calum McElroy, Alan McLoughlin, Liam Whelan; Ben Slattery, David Conway, Aodhan Lowry.

Subs: Fran Egan for McLoughlin (40m), David Lawlor for O’Shea (42m), Darragh Kealy for Whelan (43m), Caomhan Brennan for Lowry (48m).

Referee: Jamie McDonald (Rosenallis)