(Junior Championship replay)
Ballela travelled to a sodden
Kilcleif to play Ballygalget
on Tuesday night in the junior
championship replay.
There was a determination
among the Ballela squad that
they were going to put last
week’s poor performance
behind them.
The game started at a ferocious
pace with hurls breaking at
every clash, this was a game
were the young Ballela boys
turned to men. Ballela soon
got into their passing rhythm
despite some hard challenges,
which were going unpunished
by the officials, and this
was rewarded when Malachy
Magee struck a fine point
after an excellent team move.
Ballygalget replied with a
point to even the game and
put the local support in good
voice.
This was as close as Ballygalget
got to Ballela for the remainder
of the game as Ballela’s
hurling reached its peak during
this game in the 2nd half.
Ballela regained the lead
with a fine length of the
pitch move, which was finished
by Eugene Magee as he turned
and put the sliotar over the
bar.
From the puck out, Noel Burns
won a free on the half way
line, Malachy hurled the sliotar
into the danger area, with
the Ballela forwards advancing,
the ‘galget defence
panicked as they dropped the
sliotar into the roof of the
net. Ballela could see the
ards team were there for the
taking.
Despite this setback, Ballygalget
clawed a point back from a
harshly awarded free.
Both teams were giving their
all as they knew they had
a semi final championship
appearance waiting. Ballela,
built from the back as Mal
Magee collected a short puck
out from Gary, Mal then fed
it into Noel burns in the
half forward position and
noel struck over an excellent
point despite being under
severe pressure from Tom Coulter,
indeed, this was a duel which
would continue to the final
whistle.
This score lifted the Ballela
lads and they further extended
their lead as Dan Doran rifled
over from just over the half
way line.
Ballela were now leading a
rattled Ballygalget team by
1-04 to 0-03. The young Ballela
side were playing entertaining
hurling and this was too much
for some as a galget player
was somewhat harshly sent
off, despite being one of
the least physical challenges
of the game.
This seemed to galvanise Ballygalget
as they went on to score 2
consecutive points to narrow
the gap.. Ballela retaliated
with another point from Eugene
Magee, despite being tightly
marked after his exploits
last week.
Ballela’s midfield partnership
of Joe Cosgrave and Johnny
Mc Cusker were running the
game as Johnny struck over
his first and most important
score of the match. This point
silenced the crowd slightly.
Mal Magee then added to Ballela’s
lead with a 3rd point from
the halfback who was having
an outstanding game.
Noel Burns (jnr) then added
his 2nd of the game. Ballela
had dominated the half and
the lead of 5 points could
have been a lot more.
HALF TIME BALLELA 1-08 BALLYGALGET
0-06
Ballela stayed on the field
for the halftime team talk
as Ballygalget headed for
the shelter of the changing
rooms. The ref blew the whistle
for the 2nd half to begin
and the Ballela lads took
their positions. Each man
knew what he had to do as
the 2nd half began. Ballela
started as they had finished
by scoring another outstanding
point, this time Joe Cosgrave
slotted the sliotar over the
bar. This was proving to be
a hugely experienced performance
from a young Ballela side
that had several teenagers
in their starting team and
they were showing maturity
beyond their years.
As Ballela’s stranglehold
on the game increased, the
intensity of the challenges
got stronger. Every Ballela
man took every challenge in
their stride and let their
hurl do the talking as the
strangford crowd got behind
them.
Johnny was relishing the space
in midfield and this allowed
him to knock over 3 consecutive
points much to the delight
of the Ballela crowd, which
had travelled to Kilcleif.
Once again Ballygalget replied
with two points that would
be their last of the game.
As the ards team piled forward
they were awarded a free on
the ’21, they hammered
this towards the net and several
Ballela players threw themselves
on the line and it was eventually
saved by Gary then cleared
off the line by Niall Burns.
Ballela then finished the
match on a high as Eugene
sent over 3 consecutive points
from close range.
As the ref blew the whistle,
both sides shook hands, as
it had been a hard fought
game with several talking
points. But, the best team
won on the night as Ballela
advanced to the semi-final
for the 2nd time in 3 years.
Ballela know they will have
to improve again for the next
match if they are to beat
Warrenpoint and advance to
the final of the competition
they last won in 2003.
Each member of the squad was
brilliant but several players
received bad knocks, which
will leave them a doubt for
the semi-final on Tuesday
night against Warrenpoint
at Pairc Esler, Newry.
Gary was excellent in goals
and caught everything that
was hit at him and came away
with a well-deserved clean
sheet. Much credit must go
to the defence in front of
Gary who didn’t give
the ardsmen much space all
night. Paddy led the defence
and was well assisted by Noel
(sen) and Stevie. The half
back line of Niall Burns,
Donal Mc Cann and the marauding
Mal Magee showed that attack
was the best form of defence.
The new look midfield of Johnny
Mc Cusker and Joe Cosgrave
dominated with Dan Downey,
Dan Doran and Noel (jun) winning
their battles in the half
forward line. Ronan Mc Conville,
Eugene and Ryan Haughey all
played their part as they
created several opportunities
during the game and made space
for their teammates. Mick
Doyle, Andy Mc Givern and
Niall Mc Aleenan were subs
on the night and they know
they have played their part
so far and will continue to
do so with a few injuries
being picked up.
FT – Ballela 1-15 Ballygalget
0-08
Once again it was great to
see so many locals in Kilcleif
on Tuesday night and it would
be great if everyone could
come along to Pairc Esler,
Newry on Tuesday night to
support the lads in the semi-final.
BALLELA- Gary Mc Mullan, Noel
Burns (sen), Paddy Mc Polin
(cap), Stevie Mc Cusker, Niall
Burns, Donal Mc Cann, Mal
Magee (0-2), Joe Cosgrave
(0-1), Johnny Mc Cusker (0-4),
Noel Burns (jnr) (0-2), Dan
Doran (0-1), Dan Downey, Ronan
Mc Conville, Eugene Magee
(0-4), Ryan Haughey. SUBS:
Andy Mc Givern, Niall Mc Aleenan,
and Mick Doyle.
