Ballintubber go top of the table

Ballintubber go top of the table


SFC Section 1
Ballintubber 1-11
Garrymore 0-6

Austin Garvin
Clogher

A STRONG finish to the second half proved decisive as Ballintubber deservedly defeated Garrymore at Clogher on Sunday last.
The near gale force wind that blew across the field affected the standard, as players on both sides found it difficult to keep the ball in play throughout. The action was generally of the stop-go variety, interspersed with a lot of petty fouling.
Ballintubber won this game simply because they adapted better to the testing conditions, particularly in the art of scoring. And in PΡdraic O’Connor, they had a player who gauged the wind perfectly, from placed balls in particular.
The home side judiciously used Michael Nestor in a roving commission to prevent ball getting through to Jimmy Killeen and Enda Varley. This worked to a large extent as both players were denied the type of possession that they thrive on. Garrymore used Alan O’Reilly in a similar role, and it was good to see him back after a horrific injury sustained last season.
Scores were few and far between in the first half, with Enda Varley opening the scoring for Garrymore with a lovely point from play. Two pointed frees from PΡdraic O’Connor edged the home side in front.
Then, midway through the half and with the game finely poised, the Garrymore defence unnecessarily fouled a Ballintubber attacker following a through ball from Jason Gibbons. PΡdraic O’Connor duly found the net with the resultant penalty. Garrymore felt they should have had a free prior to that for a frontal challenge adjacent to the stand.
The visitors fought back, with Trevor Nally firing over two great frees in the testing conditions, and his brother Shane scoring a fine point from play just before the interval. Ballintubber held a one-point advantage going to the dressing rooms at half time.
Ballintubber came out a different team following the break. They had introduced Gary Dillon, and this proved a shrewd move as he did very well in general play, in addition to adding two valuable points. The home side quickly added three points in a row, one apiece from Alan Dillon (free), Padraic O’Connor (a great free 60 metres from goal) and Gary Dillon.
As the half progressed, James Horan’s side’s grip on the game grow stronger. PΡdraic O’Connor pointed a ’45 with Gary Dillon adding another from play. Then Garrymore lost centre back David Dolan to a second yellow card. The young defender was doing quite well on Alan Dillon, and his loss proved a major blow to their hopes.
The home side capitalised on his absence as they gradually gained the upper hand. Jason Gibbons and Danny Geraghty began to win an increasing amount of ball at midfield, and with Alan Dillon thriving in the extra room, they assumed total control. Garrymore found it very difficult to find room at the other end of the field, as the home defence didn’t stand on ceremony.
Ballintubber finished strongly with Gary Loftus, PΡdraic O’Connor and Danny Geraghty all adding points to their mounting tally. In between, Enda Varley managed to escape the tough-tackling home defence to land a consolation point.
Ballintubber deservedly won the two points, but it was only in the final quarter that they really copper-fastened their win. Once they got on top, they moved quite freely in the testing conditions. Garrymore will hope to do much better when they take on Crossmolina in the next round.

Ballintubber
N Gibbons; G Loftus (0-1), C Hallinan, P Earley; D Larkin, J Feeney, R O’Connor; J Gibbons, D Geraghty (0-1); A Plunkett, A Dillon (0-2, 1f), D Coleman; M Nestor, D McGing, P O’Connor (1-5,1-0 pen, 0-4f).
Subs used: G Dillon (0-2) for D McGing; C O’ Connor for D Coleman; J Duffy for A Plunkett.

Garrymore
M Connolly; A Jordan, C Crowe, J Varley; T Nally (0-2, 2f), D Dolan, M Maloney; S Nally (0-1), A Cunningham; J Killeen (0-1,1f), M Fallon, J Burke; E Varley (0-2), A Reilly, B Walsh.
Sub used: F Hession for J Burke.

Referee; C Collins (Lacken)