Ballyroan finish strongly against Portlaoise to take the points home

Ballyroan Abbey travelled to Rathleague on Friday evening to play the opening round of the ACFL Division 1 winners’ section against Portlaoise. Ballyroan Abbey had qualified in second place, while Portlaoise snuck in thanks to a victory against O’Dempsey’s in the last round.

This proved to be a tight and physical affair where there was little separating the sides for much of the sixty minutes. However, a late goal from Ballyroan Abbey full-forward James McWey ensured they would be going home with the maximum points on offer.

Ballyroan Abbey struggled to find their rhythm early doors, with Portlaoise proving the more accurate outfit. Ben Conroy curled over the opening score for the home team from a placed ball out on the left wing.

Ben Conroy doubled Portlaoise’s lead after eleven minutes. He coolly placed over another point, this time from play, despite some Ballyroan Abbey pressure.

Ballyroan Abbey finally registered their opening score after that. Wing-back Aaron McEvoy caught goalkeeper Paudie McDonald’s kick-out and burst forward. McEvoy eventually transferred to midfielder Conor McWey and he raised their first white flag.

Portlaoise responded with the next two points though. Ricky Maher knocked over a free from right in front of the posts. Then centre-forward Gareth Dillon intercepted a Ballyroan Abbey pass coming out of defence and punished by slotting between the uprights.

Ballyroan Abbey were outscored by four points to one in that opening quarter, but they managed to get on level terms before the break. Brian Whelan played a one-two with Colm Walsh before Whelan planted over Ballyroan Abbey’s first score from play.

James McWey then registered his first score when he curled over a point with his left boot. The hard-working wing-forward Colm Walsh then scored Ballyroan Abbey’s final point of the half to leave things level at four points apiece.

The first half of football was a tough watch at times, with neither side really getting any flow or pace going with attacks. As is the case these days with modern football, there was a lot of slow, laborious, and sideways handpassing which never tends to be easy on the eye.

Ballyroan Abbey did show more incentive from the resumption of play though. Midfielder Diarmuid Whelan broke the throw-in to himself and burst forward to fire over a point that put Ballyroan Abbey ahead for the first time.

The away team could have had a goal shortly after that as well. Conaire Gee, who started corner-back but was moved out to wing-back for the start of the second half, managed to find space inside but his effort was well saved by Michael O’Connell.

Conaire Gee’s running from deep would remain a positive throughout the second half for Ballyroan Abbey though. Gee set up James McWey for his second point from play to double Ballyroan Abbey’s advantage.

Ricky Maher replied for Portlaoise, as he floated over a point despite losing his balance mid-way through the shot. However, some uncertain play at the back down the other end for ‘The Town’ led to Ballyroan Abbey’s Shaun Murphy slotting over on the half-turn.

Chris Finn went forward to leave the minimum separating the sides again with a point from play. Ballyroan Abbey responded with the next two though, with Colm Walsh and Brian Whelan (free) both kicking their second points respectively.

Portlaoise continued to battle away though. Ricky Maher won a free inside and knocked it over himself, while DJ White also managed to float over a placed ball from the opposite side minutes later.

Mark Cahill came forward from corner-back to place over from close-range and restore Ballyroan Abbey’s two-point lead. Portlaoise left one in it again though, as substitute Conor Ging made an immediate impact by curling over under pressure.

With only a few minutes of normal time left, this match was in the balance. Ballyroan Abbey had it in them to finish strongly though and take the points back home.

Brian Whelan placed over a free straight in front of the posts before they struck for a crucial goal. Substitute Conor Brennan kicked a ball inside to full-forward James McWey, who managed to shield off defender Jack O’Connell and break through.

McWey coolly finished the ball to the left corner to send the Ballyroan Abbey travelling party into ecstasy. While Colin McEvoy and DJ White (free) grabbed late points for Portlaoise, they could not work a goal chance to equalise.

Ballyroan Abbey 1-11

Portlaoise 0-11

BALLYROAN ABBEY

Scorers: James McWey 1-2, Brian Whelan 0-3 (0-2 frees), Colm Walsh 0-2, Diarmuid Whelan, Mark Cahill and Conor McWey 0-1 each

Team: Paudie McDonald; Conaire Gee, Danny Brennan, Mark Cahill; Paddy Whelan, Niall Walsh, Aaron McEvoy; Diarmuid Whelan, Conor McWey; Colm Walsh, Shaun Fitzpatrick, Shaun Murphy; Brian Whelan, James McWey, Lawson Obulor. Subs: Conor Brennan for Obulor (53 mins), Enda McWey for C Walsh (63 mins)

PORTLAOISE

Scorers: Ricky Maher 0-3 (0-2 frees), DJ White (frees) and Ben Conroy (0-1 free) 0-2 each, Gareth Dillon, Ben Dempsey, Conor Ging and Chris Finn 0-1 each

Team: Michael O’Connell; Jack O’Connell, Aidan McGovern, Michael Dowling; Tadgh O’Dwyer, Ben Dempsey, Chris Finn; Ciaran McEvoy, Ross Brennan; Frank Flanagan, Gareth Dillon, Conor Raggett; DJ White, Ricky Maher, Ben Conroy. Subs: Jack Brown for Ciaran McEvoy (HT, inj), Gavin Skehan for Finn (55 mins), Conor Ging for O’Dwyer (55 mins)

REFEREE: Michael Tarpey (Kilcavan)