Bailey proves Ballinderreen’s ace in closely fought decider

Mullagh-Kiltormer      2-8

Gordon Duane in Gort

A Ciaran Bailey goal two minutes from full time proved crucial in Ballinderreen securing the County U20 B title on Sunday last in Gort.

Two minutes previous, it was a Rory Lyons goal that looked to have put put Mullagh-Kiltormer in the driving seat, but Ballinderreen rallied in the closing stages to win a game that was in the balance right up to the end.

While most Galway hurling followers were busy preparing for the upcoming festivities, the loyal supporters of Ballinderreen and Mullagh-Kiltormer convened in Gort, on a bright but bitterly cold day, hopeful of a victory to finish the year on a high.

It was a real see-saw encounter, with both sides trading blow for blow and while it was lacking in quality for long periods, the finish to both halves, with a plethora of scores and excitement, more than made up for it.

The first score came in the second minute. Rory Lyons was fouled as he soloed through the Ballinderreen defence, and this gave Dean Finnerty a routine free to send over. Five minutes later, Finnerty sent another free over, from the 70 metre line, to double Mullagh-Kiltormer’s advantage.

Robbie Meehan, Luke Prendergast and Ronan Larkin then combined to create Ballinderreen’s first real attack, but this broke down and the Mullagh-Kiltormer defence dealt well with the danger. Matthew O’Connor, with a ‘65, eventually opened Ballinderreen’s account in the tenth minute.

Luke Prendergast brought the sides level with a well taken point on 20 minutes, after he caught a good delivery from Daire Murphy, turned and dissected the posts. Mullagh-Kiltormer replied with two points in three minutes. Dean Finnerty pointed a difficult free near the sideline, before a lineball from centre back Stephen McManus found Shane Connaughton, who made a telling impact for the Mullagh seniors this year, and he split the posts.

Ballinderreen responded with points from the industrious Robbie Meehan and a Matthew O’Connor free, after Aengus Delaney was fouled. All square again at four points apiece heading into first half injury time.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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