Seery steers Ballinagore to league success

Ballinagore 0-15, Shandonagh 1-11

Ballinagore were crowned Westmeath All County Football League Division 4 champions following a dramatic one-point win over Shandonagh at TEG Cusack Park on Thursday, where the outcome hung in the balance right until the final whistle.

In wet conditions following persistent rain throughout the day, this final developed into a fiercely contested decider that culminated in a frantic finish. It was Ballinagore’s first team against Shandonagh’s second, but with former county player Tommy McDaniel unable to start due to flu, it levelled the playing field. Ultimately, Ballinagore’s superior performance for three quarters of the contest saw them over the line after what was an entertaining and hard-fought second half.

Shandonagh, trailing by five points near the end, closed the gap to a single point through two frees from Ryan Donnelly and a final score from Conor McCrossan four minutes into added time.

Ballinagore won the subsequent kickout through Cody Finnane, and although Shandonagh were awarded a late free, it was deep in their own half and of no use as it offered no realistic scoring opportunity. Referee Joe Fallon blew the final whistle at this stage, prompting protests from Shandonagh players and supporters who felt they deserved a chance to launch one final attack.

Amid the post-match drama, it was Robbie Keegan who proudly lifted the Division 4 trophy on behalf of Ballinagore, presented by Westmeath County Committee Chairman Frank Mescall.

The first half was low-scoring and error-ridden, players struggling with accuracy in the wet conditions, and it was 0-5 apiece at the break. Ryan Donnelly opened the scoring for Shandonagh after two minutes, but Ballinagore responded with a superb two-pointer from midfielder Darragh Seery, who judged his long-range effort to perfection from beyond the 40-metre arc.

Further scores followed from Mickey Boyle, after a direct ball in by Darren Bitu, and Cormac Coyne, putting Shandonagh briefly ahead. Ballinagore stayed in touch via a Paddy Ennis free before Fionn Maguire pointed from distance for Shandonagh: his effort was certainly close to a two-pointer, but the officials judged it just a single. The last few minutes of the half saw Ballinagore edge back into contention with points from Colin Coleman, following good work by Eoin Robinson and Philip Reynolds, and another Ennis free in added time.

The second half opened with Ballinagore on the front foot. Ennis slotted another free before Jack Tynan replied with a well-taken point for Shandonagh. However, Ballinagore’s scoring rhythm soon hit full stride. Eoin Robinson pointed, his effort helped over by goalkeeper David Scahill, before Seery notched another two-pointer from a free. Moments later, Finnane sliced through but blazed over after Reynolds had created a golden goal chance, following Seery’s delivery.

There was no sanction when Shandonagh's Joseph Cahill and Colin Coleman clashed in an off-the-ball incident, but Donnelly added a free to keep his side in touch. Ennis and Seery (twice) added frees for Ballinagore, while the latter followed with a glorious two-pointer that stretched the lead to seven, 0-14 to 0-7, by the 53rd minute. The advantage ought to have been greater but they were profligate in front of goal, the introduction of a clearly out of sorts McDaniel not having the desired effect.

Shandonagh roared back to life when Coyne set up Donnelly for a well-taken low finish to the net. But Ballinagore responded in style through Coleman, who joined a slick team move involving Seery and Ennis to put them five clear, 0-15 to 1-7.

That score ultimately proved decisive. Shandonagh threw everything forward in the closing stages, with Donnelly (frees, one a two-pointer) and McCrossan bringing them within a point. However, when Finnane won the vital kickout and Ballinagore held firm, their narrow but hard-earned victory was sealed.

Scorers - Ballinagore: D Seery 0-7 (two 2pt; 1 2pt f; 1f), P Ennis 0-4 (4f), C Coleman 0-2, C Finnane and E Robinson 0-1 each. Shandonagh: R Donnelly 1-5 (2pt f; 2f), C Coyne, M Boyle, F Maguire, D Bitu, J Tynan and C McCrossan 0-1 each.

Ballinagore: Cathal Daly; Luke Seery, Enda Claffey, Conan Feery; Cathal Kelly, Peter Deegan, Robbie Keegan; Darragh Seery, Peter Reynolds; Eoin Robinson, Cody Finnane, David Keegan; Colin Coleman, Philip Reynolds, Paddy Ennis

Subs: Tommy McDaniel for D Keegan (43), Jack Gannon for P Deegan (59), Donal Barrett for Coleman (60).

Shandonagh: David Scahill; Adam Cronin, John Fry, Joseph cahill; Darren Bitu, Cathal Craig, Jake Costello; Caelum Faughnan, Fionn Maguire; Jack Tynan, Mikey Boyle, Ronan Ward; Ryan Donnelly, Cormac Coyne, Conor McCrossan

Subs: Aaron Flanagan for Ward (40), Alan Hickey for Tynan (45), Cathal Nevin for Costello (46).

Referee: Joe Fallon (Athlone).

A Closer Look

Man of the Match

Darragh Seery (Ballinagore). Two players influenced proceedings most and Darragh Seery was one of those, his ability to kick two-pointers proving the difference. Ryan Donnelly scored 1-5 for Shandonagh in a fine display.

Score of the match

Ryan Donnelly’s goal on 54 minutes, a clinical finish low to the net after Cormac Coyne’s pass.

Talking point

The influence of the new rules and the potential for drama and controversy makes for an exciting championship season on the club front. It showed when Ryan Donnelly kicked a two-pointer from a free, a score that ignited a Shandonagh surge: Ballinagore had gone five clear in the 57th minute. Shandonagh didn’t think on their feet a couple of times and it cost them - Donnelly taking a free from the wrong side which he sent wide and McCrossan settling for a late point when either a two-pointer or a goal was required.

For Ballinagore it’s remarkable and obviously Michael Ennis’ arrival as manager has started a revival that could take them to greater things if they improve on their execution.