Brilliant Ballyroan Abbey confirm top-four spot thanks to big win over Portarlington

Ballyroan Abbey booked their place in the top-four spots of the ACFL Division 1 league thanks to a big victory over reigning county champions, Portarlington on Friday evening.

Portarlington were missing plenty of big names from the starting fifteen that won a third successive Jack Delaney Cup back in October. However, that’s to take nothing away from Ballyroan Abbey’s display here, as they look primed to be one of the contenders later this year.

Ballyroan Abbey 4-12

Portarlington 0-6

The away outfit looked dangerous early on and came close to scoring a goal in the second minute. Wing-back Conor McWey came through the middle but his shot was partially stopped by Portarlington keeper Luke O’Reilly, while full-back Diarmuid Bennett was there to clear it off the line.

Anthony Cunningham’s Portarlington outfit enjoyed most of the possession early on but failed to make enough use of it. They kicked three wides in the opening period which prevented them from building up a lead.

While Daragh Galvin did deliver the opening point for Portarlington, it was the away team who led after the first quarter of play. Ballyroan Abbey corner-back Aaron McEvoy got them up and running for the evening after he fisted over.

Colm Walsh then doubled Ballyroan Abbey’s tally although he could have easily went for the jugular. Ballyroan Abbey did have another goal sighting soon after but Padraig McMahon’s shot was excellently blocked by Portarlington defender Dylan Murphy.

Midfielder Diarmuid Whelan played the subsequent 45’ short to Brian Whelan, who swiftly struck between the posts for Ballyroan Abbey’s third point. While Portarlington keeper Luke O’Reilly replied with a converted 45’ down the other end, Ballyroan Abbey did grab their first goal five minutes later.

Marty Scully latched on to a breaking ball inside before bursting past a challenge and striking one low into the bottom left corner. Ballyroan Abbey then had another goal opportunity two minutes later, but Padraig McMahon was again denied, this time by keeper Luke O’Reilly.

Nevertheless, Ballyroan Abbey continued to dominate for the remainder of the first half. Shaun Fitzpatrick slapped over a 45’, while three Whelans, Diarmuid, Brian, and Charlie, all raised further white flags for the men wearing sky blue and navy.

Ballyroan Abbey enjoyed a well-deserved 1-7 to 0-2 advantage at half-time but they should have been further ahead. Portarlington’s goalkeeper, Luke O’Reilly, deserved a pat on the back at this stage for keeping his team within eight points of their opponents.

Portarlington did make a positive start to the second half to bring some life into the contest, albeit briefly. Daragh Galvin popped over two points from play to cut the deficit to just six points.

While Ballyroan Abbey centre-forward James McWey opened their account for the second half, Portarlington responded through a fine Jordan Fitzpatrick point.

However, that was as close as Portarlington would get again, as Ballyroan Abbey upped the tempo several gears. Brian Whelan raised two white flags in a row, one from play and one from a free, and then Ballyroan Abbey’s second goal arrived.

Charlie Whelan’s shot was straight at Portarlington’s Luke O’Reilly but Marty Scully pounced to strike in the rebound. Scully did unfortunately injure himself in the process of flying in and was subsequently substituted straight after.

The brilliant Brian Whelan landed another point to his name shortly after before Ballyroan Abbey slowed down again. It took until the fifty-sixth minute for the next score to arrive, with Portarlington’s Jason Moore getting them back on the scoreboard.

However, Ballyroan Abbey finished in style. Diarmuid Whelan kicked his second point before they scored two late goals to put the icing on the cake.

Substitute Enda McWey grabbed the third goal and then Charlie Whelan scored the fourth after strong play from Shaun Fitzpatrick to set him up.

Ballyroan Abbey are now certain of qualification with their final game against Graiguecullen deciding where they will finish inside the top four.

Portarlington are at home to bottom of the table Killeshin in their final league game. Any result there will keep Portarlington inside that top four, so they must brush off this performance quickly.

 

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