Goals crucial as Ballinabrackey grab Matthew Ginnity Cup

Ballinabrackey claimed the JFC title for the fifth time at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday when Danny Quinn's injury-time goal gave them sufficient breathing space to survive a late, late Ballivor rally. Quinn flashed the ball to the net for Ballinabrackey's third goal a minute into second-half injury-time and they survived the Ballivor backlash which, on this occasion, came up short. "We've waited a long time for this and it's great to win a county final," commented Ballinabrackey captain and Leinster SFC-winning Meath player Chris O'Connor. However, Ballivor made a bright start and were ahead as early as the third minute following a bizarre point when Ballinabrackey defender Kevin Darby punched the ball over his own bar. Under pressure from Martin Doran's lofted centre, the Ballinabrackey man opted to punch the ball and only managed to flick it over the bar. Ballinabrackey worked hard for possession with full-forward O'Connor frequently tracking back into his own full-back line to win the ball. Ballivor's David Raleigh had the task of policing the Meath player and that worked out positively for his team on a couple of occasions when he was far enough up the field to assist the forwards. Ballivor created some good chances during the opening exchanges and after Derek Doran hit the post, Adam Gannon pounced on the rebound and was fouled. Martin Doran pointed the resultant free and added two more from play before the break. Ballinabrackey settled subsequently and were ahead from their first attack which involved Trevor Bannon, Brian Lucey, Ray Kearney and Damien Carroll who was hauled down. Referee Eamonn Barry indicated a penalty which Carroll duly converted. Carroll, O'Connor and Danny Quinn split the posts soon after while Clayton Keegan and Ray McKeown emulated that feat at the other end as the teams went in on level terms, 0-6 to 1-3 at the break. During the early second-half exchanges, 25 players were frequently in the Ballinabrackey half as Ballivor went in search of scores. By the end of the third-quarter Ballivor had forged into a 0-9 to 1-3 lead with points from Martin and Derek Doran and McKeown as Ballinabrackey drew a blank on the scoreboard. To compound the 'Brack's problems, they also tallied half a dozen wides and had to wait until 12 minutes from time for a score when Carroll finished to the net. Kearney played the ball in towards the square and Carroll claimed possession, but required the help of the post for his second goal. Quinn's point two minutes from time gave Ballinabrackey the lead, but Ballivor had ample time to recover when the fourth official indicated five minutes injury-time. Then the hill got very steep for Ballivor when Quinn rifled to the net a minute into added time, but they showed remarkable composure to get back into contention again. Mairtin Doran sent over two frees which increased the pressure on Ballinabrackey, but they held out for a memorable victory. Ballinabrackey - J Curry; N Judge, P Kenny, K Darby (0-1 own point); N Brazil, R Kearney, D Flynn; T Bannon, B Lucey; D Quinn (1-2), S Curry, P Loftus; D Carroll (2-1 penalty goal) C O'Connor (0-1), A Munnelly. Subs - F. Bannon for Lucey 42 mins; A. Flynn for Munnelly 60m. Ballivor - C Martin; M Keogh, J McLaughlin, B McLoughlin; D Raleigh, B Perry, S Heavey; C Keegan (0-1), N Kirby; M Doran (0-6 four frees), R McKeown (0-2 one free), K Canavan; D Doran (0-1), C Ryan, A Gannon. Subs - T Raleigh for McKeown 50 mins; P Kelly for Kirby 55m; S Corrigan for McLaughlin 58m. Referee - Eamonn Barry (Walterstown).