Stunning second-half seals promotion for Ballinlough

A FL DIV 4 SEMI-FINAL

A tough, tight, tense battle with promotion to A FL Div 3 on the line was expected in Moynalty on Thursday last between neighbours Ballinlough and Drumbaragh, but what transpired was far from it as the Reds advanced to the Div 4 final and secured promotion with a 3-20 to 1-7 win.

Such a runaway victory looked unlikely at half-time as Ballinlough's lead was a slender two points, but Drumbaragh managed just one further score after the resumption.

Ballinlough started well and were boosted by an early Brandon Brunton goal and they maintained their lead with points from Daire Shine, Harry Ryan and Seanie Geraghty.

Drumbaragh woke from their first quarter slumber and hit two successive points before taking an unlikely lead when pouncing on a poor kickout to rattle the net.

Oisin McDermott settled Ballinlough with a free from distance, but Drumbaragh maintained their lead before three frees in-a-row from Ryan and a fisted score from Darren O'Higgins ensured a 1-8 to 1-6 interval lead for the 'Lough.

Ill-discipline allowed Ryan extend Ballinlough's lead and with Shine, Geraghty and Benji Smith all adding to their side's tally they pulled clear.

O'Higgins bagged a brilliant second goal to put the issue firmly beyond doubt and Kit Og Lynch added the third goal soon after to add further gloss to an already impressive tally for Ballinlough.

Mark McCullen also got on the scoresheet before Drumbaragh finally troubled the scoreboard with three minutes remaining, but Ballinlough still had the last word with Shine capping a superb display to seal promotion in style.

Ballinlough - A Gibney; C Rennicks, R Farrell, L Finnegan; D Caffrey, S Geraghty (0-2), J Lynch; O McDermott (0-1), M McCullen(0-1); B Smith (0-1), D Shine (0-5), H Ryan (0-9); D O’Higgins (1-1), J Smith, B Brunton (1-0). Subs - K Óg Lynch (1-0) for Brunton, C Fleming for Rennicks, N McDonnell for Geraghty, M Tynan for O’Higgins.