Ballinora 2-17  

Kilmurry 1-16 

JJ HURLEY REPORTS

A DEFIANT and determined Ballinora side roared into the McCarthy Insurance Group Intermediate A Football Championship final after cutting down divisional rivals Kilmurry in a titanic semi-final clash at Ovens on Sunday.

In a contest that had the large crowd on edge from start to finish, Ballinora’s grit and belief ultimately shone through. Kilmurry, who led for long stretches, were left to rue missed chances, while victorious Ballinora boss Willie Lyons hailed his side’s courage and composure.

‘No, we didn’t panic. It’s something we’ve learned over the last number of games and even through the league,’ he said.

‘Previously, we chased games too hard, snatched at things, and made bad decisions, but we’ve learned not to panic. We knew there was a bit of a breeze and a hill, and that would probably count in the last ten minutes.’

And so it proved. Michael Quirke’s goal on 52 minutes turned the tide for Ballinora, followed by superb defending from Neil Lordan, who intercepted a dangerous pass bound for Ruadhán Ó Currain.

Kilmurry battled bravely to stay in touch, with Laurence Asling and Ó Currain firing over to narrow the gap, but Ballinora were determined to see it out. Four late points – including two from Mark O’Brien – proved decisive, securing a deserved win and a place in the decider against Ilen Rovers.

It had been a high-quality championship tie from the off. Early points from Liam Lyons and Darragh Holmes were cancelled out as Kilmurry surged 0-4 to 0-2 ahead, with Denis O’Mullane landing the first of three two-pointers in the opening half. They struck for a goal on 14 minutes when Ó Currain tucked home after Alex McAllen had parried Liam Wall’s shot.

By the 26th minute, Kilmurry led 1-10 to 0-8, but Ballinora hit back. Mark O’Brien teed up Quirke for a goal on 27 minutes before Kevin Werner’s point trimmed the margin to 1-10 to 1-9 at the break.

The second half began nervously, with both sides wasteful in front of goal. O’Mullane extended Kilmurry’s lead before Neil Lordan hit back with a two-pointer to edge Ballinora in front for the first time since the sixth minute.

Kilmurry briefly regained the advantage through Wall and Ó Currain, but Quirke’s floated effort over Jason McDonnell on 52 minutes sealed Ballinora’s place in the final.

OUR STAR: Neil Lordan – led by example and delivered a towering defensive performance.

Scorers - Ballinora: M Quirke, M O’Brien 1-2 each; K Werner (2f), N Lordan (1 tpf) 0-3 each; I Quirke 0-2, R Quirke (f), S Kingston, L Lyons, D Holmes, J Byrne 0-1 each. Kilmurry: R Ó Currain 1-5 (3f); D O’Mullane 0-7 (3 2pt); L Wall, John O’Mullane, L Asling, M O’Leary 0-1 each.

Ballinora: A McAllen; A Laverty, N Lordan, C O’Flynn; J Byrne, S Kingston, D Dineen; J Lordan, D Holmes; M Quirke, I Quirke, M O’Brien; L Lyons, R Quirke, K Werner. Subs: T Burns for Lyons (39), J Keohane for Werner (55), I Wycherley for J Lordan (59, inj), A O’Sullivan for R Quirke (60+2).

Kilmurry: J McDonnell; B Hinchion, W Ronan, E Keane; A Asling, K Kelleher, T Collins; John O’Mullane, James O’Mullane; R Duggan, L Asling, L Wall; S O’Leary, R Ó Currain, D O’Mullane. Subs: M O’Leary for John O’Mullane (ht, inj), J McGinn for Wall (49), Wall for Duggan (58).

Referee: J Bermingham (Bride Rovers).