Ballinascreen hold off Lavey fightback to lift Junior title

Lavey 1-17

Ballinascreen 2-16

Lavey just fell short of a sensational second half comeback as Ballinascreen held on for the Junior title in a dramatic start to finals day at Owenbeg.

Trailing by 12 points at half-time, Lavey went in with heads down but with the consolation of knowing that they had the wind, which helped ‘Screen build up that massive lead, at their backs in the second period.

And they made the most of it as they attempted to come back from the dead, even after the loss of Fintan Bradley to a red card midway through the second half. That dismissal actually galvanised them further as they scored eight successive scores afterwards, and there was no doubt that ‘Screen were holding on with their fingernails when two minutes were added on at the end of the hour. With just a goal separating the sides, Eoin Mulholland stood over the sliotar just 25 metres from goal and he put everything behind it. The goal line was covered from one post to the other with ‘Screen players, but the sliotar missed them all, fizzing ferociously just over the crossbar. It took a 12-point deficit down to just two points, but Lavey needed the goal and referee James Forrester blew the final whistle seconds later. Much to the relief of ‘Screen, who had been outscored 11 points to two in the second half.

That said, as much as this was a game of two halves. ‘Screen did enough in that first period to get their hands on the title. Led by Eamon Conway, who scored six points overall, they were efficient, clinical, and ruthless, knowing full well the importance of taking advantage of the conditions when they could.

They were helped on their way by two goals in a crazy two-minute spell five minutes before the half, Reece McSorley and Martin Bradley both finding the net either side of a Lavey goal from Segdae Melaugh.

The sides drew in the group stages but failed to make the cut ahead of the senior semi-finals, but with Monaghan side Inniskeen waiting for the winner in Ulster, this was one both wanted to win. With Storm Ashley on its way, having the advantage of playing first at Owenbeg was another benefit, and it was Ballinascreen who off and running quicker.

Martin Bradley split the posts after just 15 second ad although Bradley levelled with a typically accurate free, it was Cathal McDaid’s side who pulled away first, Conway, Bradley and Cleary all on target as they used the strong wind whipping through Owenbeg, to their benefit.

There was a good response from Lavey, who took it back to just one point through Conor Melaugh and Bradley, who scored points either side of a big goal chance for Dean Flanagan, but he shot poorly wide with just Mulholland to beat.

‘Screen soon got back on top but the Lavey goal was living a charmed life as Flanagan had a shot blocked on the line. The follow up almost put in by Reece McSorley but combination of Brendan Laverty and goalkeeper Mulholland kept it out. Conway scored the resulting ’65, then points from Ciaran Doyle and Reece McSorley soon followed to stretch the lead to 0-4, 0-9.

It was then seven points in succession for ‘Screen when Ryan Scullion hit two in a row from deep, and that proceeded a remarkable spell with three goals in two minutes.

McSorley’s goal was met with an emphatic response from Lavey as Melaugh found the net, but Bradley then hooked into the net at the other end to make it 1-4, 2-13, stretching his team’s lead to 12 points.

‘Screen maintained that 12-point advantage into the break, and it was just a question of the lead being enough with St. Colm’s knowing they would face a much different challenge in the second half.

Half Time 1-5, 2-14

It was all Lavey from minute one of the second half, with four scores in a row, two from McGill, one from Melaugh and one from Bradley giving them some hope of an unlikely comeback.

Two quick Eamon Conway frees got ‘Screen in the mark for the second half, but that was as good as it got, as they sank further back, content to hold what they had amidst deteriorating weather.  

The red card to Bradley looked to be a huge blow for Lavey, but the remaining players used that frustration as motivation, McGill particularly, who hot five more scores as the impossible became possible.

A mighty score from Aimon Duffin was the highlight in the closing stages as Lavey chipped off score after score, but they needed the goal with time running out.

A great score from McGill took it to within a goal in added time and ‘Screen were hanging on desperately. Then came that one final chance for Mulholland, with the goalkeeper firing just over in added time.

Teams

Lavey: Eoin Mulholland (0-1), Sean Toner, Brendan Laverty, Dominic Duggan Aidan Toner, Ryan Mulholland, Aimon Duffin (0-1), Ryan McGill (0-8, 6f), Ryan McGarvey, Ryan Farren, Fintan Bradley (0-5, 4f), Segdae Melaugh (1-0), Conor Melaugh (0-2), Cormac Collins, Jack Shaw.

Subs: Thomas Lynch for Jack Shaw 45’.

RED: Fintan Bradley

Ballinascreen: Deirig McDaid, Ciaran McBride, Jamie-Lee McGlade, Andy McBride, Cormac Gough, Ryan Scullion (0-2), Ciaran Doyle (0-1), Aaron Kelly, Dean Flanagan, Paul Cleary (0-3), Noel Rafferty (0-1), Eamon Conway (0-6, 4f 1‘65), Ben Kealey, Reece McSorley (1-1), Martin Bradley (1-2).

Subs: Ruairi McWilliams for Dean Flanagan 47’), Conor Murtagh for Noel Lafferty 50’, Eoin McCallion for Aaron Kelly 60’.

Yellow: Cormac Gough 53’.

Referee: James Forrester.