The Heath power past Ballyfin to secure place in Laois GAA SFC 'B' semi-finals

The Heath are through to the Laois Shopping Centre SFC 'B' semi-finals after running out comprehensive winners over Ballyfin in Ratheniska on Thursday night.

From start to finish, Ballyfin couldn't live with the pace of The Heath's attack and The Heath's work rate was outstanding throughout the game. There were brilliant performances all over the field as this was an all-round brilliant performance, which saw The Heath cruise to victory.

Neil Keane opened up proceedings with a fine point for The Heath, but Ballyfin responded through Darragh Connolly.  The Heath would start to gain the upper hand inside the first six minutes and kicked 1-3 without reply. Brian Ging got his first of the night, while Paddy Fitzpatrick and Leon Holland all added points. The Heath would then strike for the first goal through Sean Kirby, who finished well and from then on, Ballyfin would struggle throughout. 

Adam Connolly got Ballyfin's second point of the night, but again, The Heath kicked on and soon finished the game as a contest. Fitzpatrick grabbed another two brilliant points before Leon Holland was found in space and the net for The Heath's second goal. 

Ballyfin were now in deep trouble and looked down and out. Both teams would trade points on multiple occasions, with Sam Rooney hitting three for The Heath while Darragh Connolly, Allan Connolly and Sean Moore (free) getting Ballyfin scores, leaving The Heath in command at half-time with a 2-9 to 0-5 lead.

Ballyfin would need a quick start to have any chance of a comeback, but it never materialised. Brian Ging and Holland added more points for The Heath. Moore and JP Nerney would trade points, but The Heath were at their ease, and it was a matter of how much they would win by.

Moore added another point after a brief spell of possession from Ballyfin, but The Heath struck back with their third goal with a brilliant finish from Holland as the game petered out. Ballyfin did plug away and got a brilliant two-pointer from James Finn to keep the scoreboard ticking over, but the game was up.

Neil Keane added another point for The Heath with a fine effort. Ballyfin would get the last score of the game from a Moore free right on the whistle, as The Heath march on to the Senior 'B' semi-final. As for Ballyfin, they will need to regroup again to prepare for the relegation semi-finals.

FINAL SCORE

The Heath 3-13

Ballyfin 0-10

SCORERS - The Heath: Leon Holland 2-2, Paddy Fitzpatrick and Sam Rooney 0-3 each, Sean Kirby 1-0, Brian Ging and Neil Keane 0-2 each, JP Nerney 0-1 (free) Ballyfin: Sean Moore 0-4 (all frees), Darragh Connolly and James Finn ( two-point free) 0-2 each, Adam Connolly and Allan Connolly 0-1 each

THE HEATH: JP Nerney; PJ Larkin, Dylan Kavanagh, Alan Whelan; PJ Daly, Gary Roe, Neil Keane; Aaron Thornton, Ciaran Booth; Sean Kirby, Paddy Fitzpatrick, Jimmy Nerney; Brian Ging, Leon Holland Sam Rooney. Subs: Conor Booth for Fitzpatrick (51mins),  Denis Booth for Booth (47 mins), David O'Brien for Daly (47 mins), James Phelan for Ging (52 mins)

BALLYFIN: Eoin Connolly; Sam O'Loughlin, Connall Rowney, Owen Walsh; Tomas Lynch, Allan Connolly, Conor Cleary; James Finn, Max Connolly; Darragh Connolly, Sean Moore, David Connolly; Adam Connolly, Eanna Lyons, Shane Connolly. Subs: Gene O'Connor for A.Connolly (42 mins), Ciaran Culleton for O'Loughlin (46 mins), Ronan Carroll for Lyons (51mins) 

REFEREE: Brendan McCann (Portarlington)

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