McDaniel two-pointers ensure dramatic Ballinagore recovery

Ballinagore 0-12, St Joseph's 1-8

By Darragh Fallon

Castletown Geoghegan was the setting on an overcast, but humid Sunday afternoon for the meeting of neighbours Ballinagore and St Joseph's in the Junior 1 football championship.

The victors led by two points at half-time and recovered a four-point deficit in the second half, with a couple of superb scores - including a two-pointer - from Tommy McDaniel late on proving crucial.

A minute's silence was observed prior to throw in for John Fennessy, father of St Joseph's goalkeeper Stephen Fennessy following which Joe Fallon got the action underway. Off to a quick start were the men in maroon who scored after two minutes when their always excellent attacker Tommy McDaniel pointed from play. A further point followed two minutes later from Brandon Carey which was a sign of what was to come ahead over the remainder of the game.

A slight lull in play where both sides traded a couple of wides was brought to a conclusion with Brandon Carey again pointing from play after ten minutes with a fine pass from Tommy McDaniel to set him in to space. Two minutes later St Joseph's were to register their first score of the day provided by the industrious Alan Conlon. At this stage in the game Brandon Carey and Tommy McDaniel had come to the fore and were causing considerable problems for St Joseph's.

Next came a debatable score from Ballinagore’s David Keegan which to the supporters in the stand looked wide, but was flagged as a point by the umpire. Another period of wides swapped by both teams was followed by a goal chance for Alan Conlon in the 18th minute which passed the outside of the post. Into the last ten minutes of the first half and St Joseph's doubled their score with a well taken point from Ben McDonnell following a short 45.

This was to kick off a brief scoring burst where Brandon Carey again pointed from play, Jordi McDonnell responded with a point from a free and Cathal Kelly responded in kind with another Ballinagore score, following a Tommy McDaniel pass. The closing minute of the half saw the final score of the half arrive from Daniel Keegan, following good work from Noah and Jordi McDonnell. At the break it was Ballinagore who held sway by two points, 0-6 to 0-4, in a pretty evenly contested match.

While the first half started well for the men from Ballinagore, the second half started far better for their opponents. In the first minute of the half, Alan Conlon again looking busy scored a point from play. Less than ten seconds later, St Joseph's were to enjoy their first lead of the day courtesy of a goal from Jordi McDonnell. There was a mix-up in the Ballinagore defence and Jordi swooped for what proved to be the only green flag of the day.

Paddy Ennis responded well for Ballinagore with a pointed free from close range in the fourth minute of the half. Next followed a period where St Joseph's were getting on top and further moved the scoreboard with a score from Ross Elliffe in the eighth minute after a fine ball in from Noah McDonnell. Dean Slevin pointed a minute later for St Joseph's after a goalmouth scramble and Jake Gannon pushed the St Joseph's lead out to four points after eleven minutes. St Joseph's had another goal chance spurned two minutes later and only for a fine Brian Fitzgerald block, Brandon Carey would have registered his fourth score.

Ballinagore were next to score in the 17th minute when Tommy McDaniel pointed after being fouled. Another St Joseph's goal chance came and went in the 21st minute with calls for a penalty waved away by referee Joe Fallon.

As we entered the final period of the game Ballinagore began their fightback with a free from Paddy Ennis, after Tommy McDaniel was fouled in the 23rd minute. However, most of the drama was reserved for the final moments. With a minute to play, Tommy McDaniel stepped up and delivered a two-pointed free much to the joy of the Ballinagore following. He then outdid his previous exploits and scored another excellent free from a near identical position to edge Ballinagore in front.

St Joseph's tried in vain to attack again but their effort faded and Joe Fallon blew the full-time whistle to huge cheers from Ballinagore supporters.

Scorers - Ballinagore: Tommy McDaniel 0-5 (1 tpt f; 2f), Brandon Carey 0-3, David Keegan 0-1, Cathal Kelly 0-1, Paddy Ennis 0-2 (2 frees).

St Joseph's: Jordi McDonnell 1-1 (0-1 free), Alan Conlon 0-2, Ben McDonnell, Daniel Keegan, Ross Elliffe, Dean Slevin and Jake Gannon 0-1 each).

Ballinagore: Cathal Daly, Luke Seery, Enda Claffey, Conan Feery, Donal Barrett, Peter Deegan, Robbie Keegan, Darragh Seery, Peter Reynolds, Eoin Robinson, Tommy McDaniel, David Keegan, Cathal Kelly, Brandon Carey, Paddy Ennis. Subs: Cody Finnane for Donal Barrett, Philip Reynolds for David Keegan.

St Joseph's: Stephen Fennessy, Frankie Day, Dylan Drake, Brian Fitzgerald, Andy Conway, Jake Gannon, Daniel Keegan, Noah McDonnell, Aaron McDonnell, Ben McDonnell, Alan Conlon, Dean Slevin, Jordi McDonnell, Ross Elliffe, Mikey Lynam. Subs: Brian Keegan for Frankie Day, Niall Moran for Dean Slevin.

Ref: Joe Fallon (Athlone).