Match Report: Kildangan v Ballyteague

By Michael HigginsRathangan - 29/8/11Kildangan 1-18 Ballyteague 1-15Kildangan advanced to the semi-final of the Reserve C Championship by overcoming an extremely spirited and committed Ballyteague team in Rathangan on Monday evening last.

Kildangan struck first with a well taken point by Alan Courtney which was quickly cancelled by a Wayne Bowers effort. Kildangan were mopping up bundles of breaking ball in the middle third of the field, however wayward shooting was undoing all the good midfield work. Ballyteague were far more economical off limited midfield possession and soon moved into a three point lead thanks in the main to Trevor Bowers accurate point taking. The Kildangan back line of Declan McGrath, Colin Christie and Tom Deveraux were finding it hard to come to grips with the nippier Ballyteague forward line, however several goal shots were stopped by Kildangan keeper Sean Pollard when points may have been the better option. Ballyteague finally got their goal when good link work from midfield into full forward Wayne Bowers resulted in a rocket of a shot from just outside the small square. Kildangan were just about keeping in touch thanks to points from Shane Stafford and Robbie Murray, the half time score of 1:10 to 0:07 in favour of Ballyteague evidence of their dominance, especially in the forward division.

A six point half time deficit suggested that Kildangan would struggle in the second half, however they re-entered the fray with a far more positive attitude, registering the first point of the second half from midfielder Pauric Casey from the throw in. The Kildangan midfield and half forwards were getting a better return by running at the Ballyteague back line, who gave away some silly fouls in vital sectors of the field, resulting in Kildangan scores from frees. Kildangan took all of ten minutes to reduce the deficit to single point as the midfield battle swung Kildangans way, Ballyteague scoring a single point from a free in this period. However, it wasn't all one way traffic, a Ballyteague goal chance was blocked by Kildangan keeper Sean Pollard at the expense of a 45 which Ballyteague converted, leaving the scores tied at 1:11 to 0:14. Then disaster struck for Ballyteague as a swift move down the right wing resulted in midfielder Pauric Casey launching an unstoppable shot to the back of the Ballyteague net to put Kildangan three up with ten minutes to go. From here to the end both teams traded points, however a packed Kildangan defence ensured that a goal chance was never going to come Ballyteagues way, several efforts were stopped on the line or deflected out for 45s.

In what was a very entertaining and sporting game, Ballyteague can consider themselves unlucky not to at least get a draw while Kildangan will look forward to a semi-final place, the first in six years.

Best for Kildangan were Alan Courtney, Robbie Murray, Sean Pollard and Pauric Casey who put in a tremendous second half.

For Ballyteague Trevor Bowers scored 7 points of their total, Wayne Bowers and Dermot Moran also stood out. Referee David Cody adopted a common sense approach, allowing the game to flow without needless stoppages.