Charlie Fallon inspires Balla to first All-Ireland final in school's history

ALL-IRELAND PPS SENIOR C CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

Balla Secondary School 3-17

Carrigaline 2-9

In Clarecastle

FOR the first time in the school's history, Balla Secondary School have booked their ticket to the All-Ireland PPS Senior C football final. 

The winning margin of eleven points reads like it was a dominant win, and it rightly reflected the run of play. Balla bested their Munster opponents from County Cork in every aspect of the game. 

It was an outstanding team performance from the boys coached by accomplished Charlestown Sarsfields senior footballer Gareth O'Donnell and Ballyhaunis goalkeeper Adrian Phillips.

Charlie Fallon was player-of-the-match. The forward was unmarkable all afternoon, beating defenders for fun with his nimble footwork and pace. The Mayo Gaels attacker scored 1-4 and couldn't be handled by any of the Carrigaline defenders. 

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Balla's Oran Murphy was also very dangerous and both he and Fallon were lethal in the inside line.

Just a few minutes in, Fallon got a step on Carrigaline's James Ryan who tripped the Balla boy and was subsequently shown the black card by the referee. The following penalty was expertly taken by Liam Glynn.

Ill discipline cost Carrigaline early, as they were also shown two yellow cards in the first quarter.

Balla went about their business with pace and vertical play. They didn't waste time building up a possession game. 

The half-back line of Keith Malone, Ryan O'Donnell and particularly Sean McCann were literally the driving forces. Their link-up running style football will be tough to contain in the final.

Ethan Duffy might have been wearing the number 14 jersey, but he was usually found roaming in midfield. Time after time Duffy was towering in the air to grab a kick out or high ball. A tall, strong player who compliments the strengths of the forwards around him.

Duffy scored two magnificent scores from beyond the two-point arc in open play. His performance was even more impressive, bearing in mind he only recently turned 16.

While Balla were in total control in the first half, leading 1-9 to 0-4 at the changeover, they started the second period with the intention to put this game to bed early.

After winning the battle of the blizzard in the Connacht final against Gortnor Abbey two weeks ago, Balla swept over their opponents like a hurricane.

First, Patrick McHale had a promising goal chance but his strike went just wide and rattled the net from the outside. But the following Carrigaline kick-out landed in Balla hands. Seconds later Charlie Fallon was in front of the goalkeeper and buried the ball in the net to raise the green flag.   

Balla would add six more points in the minutes after, while Carrigaline only managed one meagre point. The goose was cooked at that stage. The game was decided.

Kudos to Carrigaline they emptied their locker and tried to claw their way back into the game, scoring a goal and three points in-a-row to reduce the deficit. But they ran out of time and Balla eventually cruised to victory with McHale finding the net late on.

Balla will face St Ciaran's College from Dungannon in the final. The Ulster champions made light work of Leinster winners St Paul's College in a convincing 5-20 to 0-4 victory. 

The full report and after-match reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.

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