On-song Ballivor battle their way to sweet victory

Oldcastle can't match opponents' intensity

Ballivor ...2-10

Oldcastle ...0-10

"Come on the no-hopers, the underdogs," shouted one passionate Ballivor supporter to nobody in particular towards the end of this all-action IFC quarter-final at Trim today.

"Hurling doesn't do you any harm," he added, a reference to the fact that the Ballivor panel contains a hefty contingent of players who also turn out for Kildalkey or Killyon in the small ball game.

The supporter was understandably very, very pleased indeed with how his team played and with the sweet victory that takes the Maroons to heights they haven't often scaled in their more recent history.

The won this contest before a raucous crowd who were royally entertained, particularly in the closing, tense, all action, nail-chewing final minutes during which Oldcastle had a player - CJ Healy - sent off after picking up a second yellow.

Shortly afterwards, five minutes into injury time, the north Meath side were awarded a penalty. The spot-kick was well struck by Pearse Sheridan but brilliantly saved by Ballivor netminder Thomas Raleigh, who dived to his left.

To add to the late drama Oldcastle's Oran Mulvanny had an effort rebound off the post with Ballivor, as they did all-game, defending tenaciously to hold out and secure their precious victory that was much appreciated by their supporters. They applauded the players off the pitch with as much gusto as if they had won the McDonnell Cup itself.

Oldcastle - as that Ballivor follower referenced - were favourites to win this game. After all they hadn't lost a match in the group phase and had an amazing scoring difference of plus 33, suggesting they had the firepower to blow any opponent out of the water. Ballivor too were without two key players - Adam Gannon and Keith Keoghan.

We didn't see much of that firepower in this contest, partly because Johnny 'Crash' Corrigan's Ballivor - relentlessly urged on along the sideline by their coach Pat O'Halloran - worked tigerishly hard when it came to the art of defending, forcing a series of turnovers. That workrate continued when it came to attacking too.

Ballivor's cause was clearly greatly boosted too by their two goals. The first arrived after 20 minutes. Kevin McKeon lofted the ball into the Oldcastle goalmouth from a free. The defenders in blue looked like they had it covered but they got tangled up and Gary Sherrock touched the ball to the net.

The second arrived on 52 minutes. A surging moved ended when Brendan McKeon quickly moved the ball to Nicky Potterton who cut in from the wing at lightning speed.

He crossed cleverly for Evan Fitzgerald to knock to the net from close range. Fitzgerald and a first class outing with Brendan McKeon, Potterton, Kevin McKeon, David Raleigh and Martin Healy all capping highly commendable performances with scores.

Goalkeeper Raleigh also played a significant role - and not only with that penalty save. He also made super-stop in the second-half to prevent Oldcastle's Conor Delaney from finding the net. Ballivor, however, did spurn chances, good chances; something that should concern them.

They hit 'only' six wides but a number of other efforts dropped short.

Oldcastle will know they didn't perform as well as they can - a fact that will do little to alleviate their disappointment this week. They weaved pretty patterns at times but lacked that killer instinct on this occasion.

Healy, Sheridan, Mulvanny were among those to shine for them but there was no stopping Ballivor - much to their supporters' delight.

Ballivor - Thomas Raleigh; Jamie Smyth, Stefan Connolly, Harry Smyth; David Conneely, Killian Canavan, Martin Healy (0-1); Evan Fitzgerald (1-0), Brian O'Halloran; David Raleigh (0-1), Brendan McKeon (0-4 three frees), Patrick Conneely; Gary Sherrock (1-0), Nicky Potterton (0-3), Kevin McKeon (0-1). Subs - Mark Healy for Canavan 35m, Jacob O'Brien for Sherrock 51m, Padraig Geoghegan for D Conneely 56m.

Oldcastle - Conor McHugh (0-2 one free, one '45'); Oran O'Reilly, Cian McPartland, Dylan Garrigan; James Cooke, Steven Lawless, Lee Healy; Pearse Sheridan (0-3 frees), Oran Mulvanny; Ronan Maguire (0-1), CJ Healy (0-3 two frees), Keith Connell; Jason Scully, Garrett O'Reilly, Rory Crawley. Subs - Paddy Gilsenan (0-1) for O'Reilly, Conor Delaney for Connell both half-time.

Referee - Robert Purfield (St Partick's).

MORE FROM THE GAME INCLUDING GERRY SHANAHAN'S PHOTOS IN NEXT ISSUE OF THE MEATH CHRONICLE