Shrule/Glencorrib slip up against Ballaghaderreen

Shrule/Glencorrib slip up for second time


Division 1A
Ballaghderreen       3-8
Shrule/Gl’corrib   0-12

Trevor Watson
Shrule

PERFECT spring conditions in Shrule on Saturday evening allowed for a wonderful match which had everything; big hits, long distance points, three goals, seven yellow cards, and one sending-off.
For the neutral, it was a cracking game to watch.
Ger Butler’s Shrule/Glencorrib will wonder how they let a first quarter advantage of six points slide away. Ballagh will come away with the knowledge that even though they were completely outplayed for the first 20 minutes, they still had the composure, talent and leadership to win comfortably.
This was the proverbial game of two halves. The locals were untouchable early on as Kieran Conroy and the hard-working James Lohan completely dominated midfield, Trevor Mortimer, in a sweeper role from corner forward, was play-maker in chief and in Mark Ronaldson they had a forward who mixed genuine class and work rate.
Ironically, the first attack of the game was made by Ballagh’ but David Drake’s shot was brilliantly saved by Pat Conroy. It was to be their last attack for a while.
An Eoin Ronaldon free got Shrule/Glencorrib going, and Ronan Warde doubled that tally a minute later.
On seven minutes Mark Ronaldson put a wonderful ball through to Brian Murphy. The full forward was clean though on goal but Flanagan saved smartly.
The homeside pressed on, however and three excellent points from Mark Ronaldson, and another from Kieran Walsh, edged them six clear by the end of the first quarter.
Ballagh’ simply had no answer.
Barry Regan tried to steady the ship on 17 minutes but Murphy cancelled this out immediately. Then Andy Moran tapped over from close range, but two Mark Ronaldson frees extended Shrule/Glencorrib’s lead to seven points.
Then came the game’s turning-point. Brilliant work from David Drake saw a James Kilcullen centre poorly dealt with and Dessie Keegan was on hand to fist the ball to the net.
Ballagh’ had a life-line and they took it firmly with both hands.
At the start of the second half Ronan McGrath and Gavin Conway both scored superb points before two Barry Regan frees levelled the match.
Game on. Still twenty minutes to go.
This was a different Ballagh’ now. James Kilcullen, who was immense in the second half, fed Andy Moran who slotted the ball coolly to the net. It was all about Kieran Gallagher’s outfit at this stage.
Then came one of the scores of the game. Barry Kelly dispossessed Mortimer in defence, fed the ball to Conway, took the return and curled over on the run from all of 40 metres. Barry Regan added another after James Kilcullen, yet again, did all the hard work.
The men in white were now five points clear.
Mark Ronaldson added another free but once again Ballagh’ hit back emphatically. A wonderful team build-up including Moran, Keegan, and Kelly saw Barry Regan slide the ball home ‘soccer-style’ to put the icing on the cake.
Two more Ronaldson frees, right at the end, gave the scoreline a better look as David Kilcullen saw red after his second yellow but it was too little, too late.
Trevor Mortimer (in the first half), James Lohan and Mark Ronaldson were best for the homeside while Stephen Drake, Barry Kelly, Barry Regan and man of the match, James Kilcullen, were all instrumental in their side’s victory.

Ballaghaderreen
O Flanagan; K Rodgers, S Drake, S Finn; D Drake, D Kilcullen, G Fitzgerald; B Kelly (0-1), J Kilcullen; D Keegan (1-0), G Conway (0-1), A Moran (1-1); C Doohan, B Regan (1-4, 3f), R McGrath (0-1).

Shrule/Glencorrib
P Conroy; R Walsh, C O’Dowd, N O’Sullivan; D McTigue, Dermot Geraghty, J Naughton; J Lohan, K Conroy; E Ronaldson (0-1, 1f), C Walsh (0-1), R. Warde (0-1); M Ronaldson (0-8, 5fs), B Murphy (0-1), T Mortimer.
Subs used: D Walsh for Naughton; J Martyn for Warde; S Sweeney for K Walsh.

Referee: D Corcoran (Islandeady)