Ballinamore crush battling Allen Gaels to march into Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC Semi-Finals

Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins underlined their credentials as potential Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC champions as they slowly crushed the life from a brave but ultimately short-handed Allen Gaels in Sunday’s Quarter Final in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.​

​The Drumshanbo turned in an immense effort, causing Ballinamore a bit of concern in the first half as they only trailed by a point at the break. But on the resumption, Ballinamore’s attacking craft and immense physical conditioning saw them gradually steamroll over the Gaels as they cruised to a 14 point victory.

It might have seemed as if it was the inevitable victory most neutrals were expecting but Allen Gaels caused Ballinamore moments of concern and considering the Drumshanbo men were missing the injured Jake Tobin and Kieran Kilcline while Radek Oberwan came on late in the game in his first championship action this year, the Gaels lost nothing in this defeat.

Yet there was always an inevitable sense about this game – the pace and movement of Tom Prior, Paul Honeyman and Dillon Beirne was something Ballinamore couldn’t get to grips with as much as they battled, Ballinamore’s superior conditioning made a telling difference when it came to the battle for possession.

Were it not for a series of outstanding saves from Allen Gaels keeper Conor Flood, another outstanding display from the netminder, Ballinamore would have put this game to bed long before they did but credit to the Drumshanbo club’s belief and resilience, Daire McCabe impressing in attack as they fought for their lives.

Ultimately, Allen Gaels just couldn’t handle the pace and scoring ability of Tom Prior, Paul Honeyman and Dillon Beirne who were particularly impressive on a Ballinamore side who look to be getting stronger with the return of Michael McKiernan and Cathal McHugh ahead of the crunch semi-finals.

That semi-final is a potential blockbuster as they lock horns once more with Mohill, a side they have already drawn with in this year’s championship.

Just 20 seconds into the game, Paul Honeyman almost broke through for a goal but Conor Flood made a superb save, diverting it out for a fifty that Honeyman converted. But it was Allen Gaels who set the early pace, Thomas Mulvey scoring from a tight angle in the corner before Caleb Duffy lashed a 50 yard two pointer over the bar and Ciaran McMorrow added another on four minutes.

Incredibly, Honeyman had another goal chance, combining with Paul Moran but Conor Flood again produced an excellent shot. But Ballinamore were soon level, points from Keelan McHugh, Dillon Beirne and Tom Prior tied the scores after 11 minutes and Paul Moran and Prior quickly added further scores.

Beirne pushed O’Heslins three clear but a Ciaran McMorrow free answered. Honeyman converted a two point free but Ciaran Walsh hit back with a two from play before drama came at both ends, Flood making a good save from a fisted Brian Leydon effort before Allen Gaels went straight down the field and Daire McCabe produced a blistering shot to the Ballinamore net.

Two surging Tom Prior runs ended with points as Ballinamore led 0-11 to 1-7 at the break and O’Heslins continued in the same vein in the second half with unanswered points from Beirne (2) & Prior. Ciaran McMorrow’s lovely point from the corner cut the gap back to a goal as both sides missed good chances before Paul Honeyman converted a free and sub Michael McKiernan strode through to score.

With an errant Gaels kickout intercepted, Ballinamore quickly countered with sub Luke Murphy unselfishly setting up Honeyman for a palmed goal on 48 minutes to put ten between the teams. That gap quickly grew as McKiernan and Prior added points before Honeyman palmed home his second goal after a Dillon Beirne pass on 51 minutes.

That killed of the game but Allen Gaels wouldn’t lie down – Senan McGowan kicked a fine two point free while Mark Nolan also scored from a place ball on 56 minutes. Arek Oberwan made a superb catch virtually on his own goal-line to prevent a third Ballinamore goal but O’Heslins were now in flying form.

Dean McGovern opted for a point with a goal on, Paul Honeyman landed a two point free while Luke Murphy added his first point. Daire McCabe got Allen Gaels’ last score on 61 minutes with the last score coming when Luke Murphy went for goal but Flood managed to tip the powerful shot over the crossbar to bring the game to a close.

BALLINAMORE SEAN O’HESLINS

Scorers: Paul Honeyman 2-6, 2 tpf, tp; Tom Prior 0-6; Dillon Beirne 0-4; Michael McKiernan & Luke Murphy 0-2 each; Keelan McHugh, Paul Moran & Dean McGovern 0-1 each

Team: Darren Maxwell, Danny Smyth, Brian Banks, Matthew Murphy, Conor Moran, Michael McBrien, Keelan McHugh, Shane Moran, Donal Feely, Paul Moran, Paul Honeyman, Dillon Beirne, Niall McGovern, Brian Leydon, Tom Prior. Subs: Cathal McHugh for Smyth (39); Michael McKiernan for K McHugh (43); Luke Murphy for P Moran (47); Dean McGovern for N McGovern (52); Louis Quinn for Feely (56)

ALLEN GAELS

Scorers: Daire McCabe 1-1; Ciaran McMorrow 0-3, f; Caleb Duffy (tp), Senan McGowan (tpf) & Ciaran Walsh (tp) 0-2 each; Thomas Mulvey & Mark Nolan (f) 0-1 each

Team: Conor Flood; Adrian Sorohan, Kyle Flynn, Martin Raftery; Arek Oberwan, Mark Gunning, Thomas Mulvey; Caleb Duffy, Oran Foley; Ciaran Walsh, Brian Mulvey, Senan McGowan; Daire McCabe, Mark Nolan, Ciaran McMorrow. Subs: Shane Walsh for Raftery (45); Radek Oberwan for C Walsh (48); Sean Lynch for T Mulvey (55); Rhionn Gallagher for Duffy (56)

Referee: Vincent McMorrow