Ballivor edge closer to redemption

Two years after being relegated from the IFC Ballivor are just one step away from a return to that grade as they withstood a tenacious second-half fightback from Moylagh at Athboy on Saturday to claim their place in the JFC decider. Derek Doran's fortuitous goal eight minutes into the second-half was all that separated the sides. Doran's goal came when his shot with the outside of his right foot deceived goalkeeper Declan Traynor and sailed to the top corner with the aid of a deflection. Although they got a huge slice of luck with the goal Ballivor fully merited their victory as they produced a performance which mixed excellent attacking football in the first-half with resolute defending and a gritty determination to close out the contest. Ballivor's forwards excelled in that first-half with Adam Gannon and Mairtin Doran working hard and kicking some excellent scores. Derek Doran was a constant threat and with Killian Canavan and Ray McKeown also in fine form, the Moylagh defenders had their hands full. Full-forward Calvin Ryan took up a deep role and his ability to pick up loose ball and distribute accurately was a feature of the game. In defence Brian Perry was a rock at centre half-back and frustrated the Moylagh forwards time and again with some crucial interceptions. Moylagh will rue the fact that they did not produce anything like their best until the second-half and that lacklustre opening period left them with a mountain to climb at the break. Ballivor hit the ground running and were ahead inside a minute when Ray McKeown pointed from 40 metres. Further points from Mairtin Doran and Gannon had Ballivor ahead, 0-3 to 0-0, after 11 minutes. Thomas O'Reilly got Moylagh off the mark with a free before Gannon replied for Ballivor following excellent work by Derek Doran. The North Meath side closed the gap with two frees, one each for Thomas O'Reilly and Justin O'Reilly, but two points from Mairtin Doran and excellent scores from Noel Kirby and full-back Joseph McLoughlin had Ballivor in control, 0-8 to 0-3 at the break. That gap could have been reduced to two if Justin O'Reilly hadn't spurned an excellent goal chance on the stroke of half-time when he shot wide from close range. Whatever Dessie Hamilton said to his Moylagh side at half-time seemed to have the desired effect when two quick points from midfielders Colm Fanning and Joe Melia narrowed the gap to three early in the second-period. Killian Canavan steadied Ballivor with a point before Derek Doran's goal gave them a 1-9 to 0-5 advantage. It could very well have been game over for Moylagh at that stage as Ballivor's Noel Kirby had struck the crossbar with a stinging drive before the goal. It was at this stage that Moylagh finally began to assert themselves. Eamonn Boyle's goal attempt was tipped over the bar by Conor Martin and the former Meath All-Ireland winning goalkeeper was to the rescue again a minute later when he saved brilliantly with his feet to deny Willie McGrath. A first-time shot by Eanna Brody and points from Thomas O'Reilly and the impressive Fanning closed the gap to three points (0-9 to 1-9) with 10 minutes remaining. Ballivor dug their heels in and despite Moylagh's best efforts the next score did not come until McKeown fired over a free from the right to leave Ballivor four ahead entering injury-time. Thomas O'Reilly added a free for Moylagh in injury-time but it was not enough and the referee's whistle was greeted with hysteria by the Ballivor supporters. Ballivor - C Martin; M Keogh, J McLoughlin (0-1), B McLoughlin; D Raleigh, B Perry, S Heavey; C Keegan, N Kirby (0-1); M Doran (0-3), R McKeown (0-2), K Canavan (0-1); D Doran (1-0), C Ryan, A Gannon (0-2). Subs - T Raleigh for Canavan 47 mins, P Kelly for Ryan 52 mins, E Kirby for Kelly 56 mins. Moylagh - D Traynor; A Hand, B Geraghty, P Traynor; S Martin, M Quinn, P Fox; J Melia (0-1), C Fanning (0-2), T O'Reilly (0-4), R O'Reilly, E Boyle (0-1); W McGrath, J O'Reilly (0-1), E Brody (0-1). Subs - D Hand for R O'Reilly 41 mins, D O'Growney for McGrath 55 mins. Referee - Jack Gordon (Walterstown).