Ballinabrackey claim historic Leinster title

There were times during this Leinster Club JFC final against Carlow side St Andrew's at Dr Cullen Park on Sunday when it seemed certain that it would not be Ballinabrackey's day. However, a superb second-half performance from the Meath champions secured a first provincial title. It was a thrilling contest throughout and both sides ended with 14 players as Neville Brazil was dismissed with three minutes remaining and was followed 90 seconds later when Barry Lambe was sent-off for the hosts. Both red cards seemed innocuous in a game that was high in tension, commitment and entertainment, but was also played in a sporting manner with both sides contributing to an excellent game. Not renowned as a high-scoring side, it was Ballinabrackey's outstanding defence that stood strong in the face of adversity. They produced several moments of attacking magic with Danny Quinn excelling with his three-point contribution. The numbers on their backs were only for identification purposes because Ballinabrackey played in packs and very few players operated in the positions which the match programme suggested they might. There was countless times that as many as 13 Ballinabrackey players were back in their own half helping out the defence. That tactic caused problems when the Meath side had the wind because when they broke, they were short up front. That swarm mentality suited Ballinabrackey when the wind was blowing in their faces. The ability to retain possession and build precise attacking moves from the back suited and they took full advantage as they scored just three times with the wind. Another aspect of Ballinabrackey's performance was the commitment and character shown by Paschal Kellaghan's side. The Meath champions trailed by 0-3 to 0-5 at the break, but within eight minutes of the second-half they had managed to sneak into a 0-6 to 0-5 lead. When St Andrew's responded with a flicked John Miley goal with 19 minutes remaining Ballinabrackey could have been forgiven for letting their heads hang. However, they settled again and held the Bagenalstown side scoreless for the remainder with a combination of outstanding defending and excellent counter-attacking football. All the signs in the opening quarter pointed to a close contest. Quinn and Finbar Bannon traded points with Craig Doyle to ensure the sides were level after 15 minutes. With Carlow player John Doyle and his partner Paddy Kavanagh starting to exert more of an influence at midfield St Andrew's dominated and it took some outstanding defending from Kevin Darby to keep them at bay. Chris O'Connor's deep, roving role allowed St Andrew's add to their resources at midfield and with Peter Doyle and Trevor Nolan also doing well the hosts looked to be in a strong position as Ballinabrackey struggled to take advantage of the wind. Peter Doyle's free, after he was fouled by Brazil, gave St Andrew's a lead for the first time, but Ballinabrackey still looked dangerous on the counter and should have had a goal when Andrew Munnelly's tame effort was easily parried by Pa Cody. Pat Loftus (pictured) drove the rebound wide. Damien Carroll added to Ballinabrackey's disappointment when he missed a simple free before Munnelly eventually restored parity when he gathered Carroll's long sideline and lofted over to make it 0-3 each. Brazil's foul on Martin Cody earned him his first yellow card and allowed Peter Doyle restore St Andrew's lead and Brian Murphy made it 0-5 to 0-3 at the break with a fine point. Trailing by two points at the break Ballinabrackey knew they were up against it for the second-half, but they refused to lie down. After a slow start to the second period they finally restored parity when Seamus Curry and Carroll pointed frees in quick succession. Quinn squandered a great goal chance before he gave Ballinabrackey a 0-6 to 0-5 lead. Miley's angled punch from Peter Doyle's long delivery stunned the visitors, but the response was swift. Pa Cody did well to deny Quinn and after a lengthy break to treat the St Andrew's goalkeeper who was injured when saving from Quinn it was Ballinabrackey who resumed on the front foot. Curry closed the gap to the minimum, before Munnelly levelled matters again, 0-8 to 1-5. A second Carroll free gave Ballinabrackey the lead with nine minutes remaining, this time they didn't let it go. Curry's outstanding point from the left with his right foot put daylight between the sides and after both were reduced to 14 men it was Quinn was sealed the deal with a superb score to ensure Ballinabrackey celebrated. Ballinabrackey – J Curry; N Judge, P Kenny, K Darby; N Brazil, R Kearney, D Flynn; T Bannon, F Bannon (0-1); D Quinn (0-3), S Curry (0-3, one free), P Loftus; D Carroll (0-2 frees), C O'Connor, A Munnelly (0-2). Sub – A Flynn for F Bannon 60+4 mins. St Andrew's – P Cody; M Cummins, D Somers, J Corcoran; A Corcoran, B Lambe, D Cormack; J Doyle, P Kavanagh; M Cody, T Nolan, B Murphy (0-1); C Doyle (0-2), P Doyle (0-2 frees), J Miley (1-0). Subs – D Miley for Kavanagh 43 mins, D Barcoe for P Cody 48m, Kavanagh for Somers 54m, M Drea for J Corcoran 55m, D Darcy for Murphy 60m. Referee - Damien Maher (Westmeath).