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Match Report
Depleted Reds Give Spirited Display
Date Filed:
07 June 2010
SHL Div. 1 Ballycran 4-22 Ballyvarley 0-11
With exams in full flow and a number of injuries, Ballyvarley just managed to get fifteen players for this trip to McKenna Park where they came up against a very strong and experienced Ballycran side. However this under-strength side showed plenty of heart and much of their play was positive with some great performances under the greatest of pressure.
The game proved far from one-sided and the Reds had as much possession in the full-forward line as their opponents but the difference came in the ability to take their scores. After a series of early misses, Ballycran tended to make the most of the chances that came their way.
Straight from the throw-in Niall Savage placed Jamie Murray who fielded the ball and shot over a delightful point to give the Reds an early lead. Ballycran equalised but Paul O’Neill put Ballyvarley ahead again from a free. The first twenty minutes were very even but then Ballycran grabbed the first goal and then it all went downhill from there for the Reds. Paul O’Neill produced two further points from play following long solo-runs into the heart of the Ballycran defence and he converted another free when he was hauled down on another such run.
Half time: Ballycran 4-9 Ballyvarley 0-5
Ballyvarley made several switches at half time and the team performance greatly improved in the second half. Steven Daly and Niall Higgins both had good first halvs and continued to perform well in the second, whereas the move of Conor McClorey to left full back strengthened the defence and they conceded no more goals. Cathal O’Neill was again excellent in goals and pulled of a number of point blank saves right out of the top drawer. Martin Connolly and David Lavery worked tirelessly in the half back line and when James McGrath moved back to centre half back he at last began to play as we know he can and he had an excellent second half. The movement of Colm O’Neill into midfield greatly increased the mobility of Ballyvarley in that sector and along with Colin O’Neill they more than held their own in that sector. The movement of Paul O’Neill pushed him that bit closer to the Ballycran goal and in another surging performance he scored a further four points. Fine combination play with Brother Colm saw the latter slot over an excellent point. An early first half injury curtailed the effectiveness of Jamie Murray but he had one more flash of brilliance with a high catch and a deft turn and shot to drill the ball between the posts for his second point. Niall Savage, Leigh McConville, Peter McConville and Gavin McGreevey(back for his first game this season) worked tirelessly up front with Leigh and Pete bearing the brunt of some heavy tackling.
All-in all there were many positives from this gutsy performance.
Final score: Ballycran 4-22 Ballyvarley 0-11
Team:
Cathal O’Neill; Steven Daly, Niall Higgins, Gavin McGreevey; Martin Connolly, Colm O’Neill(0-1), David Lavery; Paul O’Neill(0-8), Colin O’Neill; Niall Savage, James McGrath, Conor McClorey; Leigh McConville, Jamie Murray(0-2), Peter McConville