Walsh hits 1-13 as Ballylinan seal promotion and Division 4 final spot
They've returned to Division 3 at the first time of asking
Ballylinan secured promotion back to Division 3 of the Laois Shopping Centre ACFL with an impressive win over Annanough in last Monday evening’s Division 4 semi-final.
Relegated from Division 3 last year, Ballylinan made no mistake this time as they powered into the final and ensured their stay in Division 4 lasted just one season. Gary Walsh was unstoppable, finishing with 1-13 in a dominant individual display.
Ballylinan 1-22
Annanough 2-8
Ballylinan were firmly in control from the outset, and a first-half goal from Walsh helped them into a commanding 1-8 to 0-4 lead at the break. Cathail Dunne (0-3), Ryan Brady (0-2), Jack Julian, Bobby Walsh and Jamie Farrell were also among the scorers as Ballylinan moved through the gears.
Annanough did find the net twice in the second half through Oran Darcy and Ronan Donlon, with Darcy finishing with 1-3 overall. Damien McCaul contributed four points (including two frees and a two-point free), while Kevin Fennelly added another.
Bobby Walsh picked up a black card during the contest, but it didn’t impact Ballylinan’s momentum as they pushed on to claim a convincing 11-point win.
They now await the winners of Ballyroan-Abbey and Stradbally in the Division 4 final and will be hoping to cap their season with silverware after also suffering relegation to the Intermediate Championship last year.
SCORERS– Ballylinan: Gary Walsh 1-13, Cathail Dunne 0-3, Ryan Brady 0-2, Jack Julian, Bobby Walsh and Jamie Farrell 0-1 each. Annanough: Oran Darcy 1-3, Damien McCaul 0-4 (all frees, one two-point free), Ronan Donlon 1-0, Kevin Fennelly 0-1.
BALLYLINAN: Shane Baldwin; Jessie McEvoy, Conor Walsh, Kevin Byrne; Bobby Walsh, Darragh Loughman, Mikey Walsh; Pauric McEvoy, Seamus Lacey; Ryan Brady, Jamie Farrell, Niall Hickey; Ciaran Farrell, Gary Walsh, Jack Julian. Subs: Cathail Dunne for Niall Hickey, James Murphy for Seamus Lacey, Joey Walsh for Darragh Loughman, McKennize McIvor for Mikey Walsh.
ANNANOUGH: Conor Hanley; David Miller, Rory Stapleton, Ronan Stapleton; Johnny Fennelly, John Scully, Jake Darcy; Fergal Scully, Jamie Fenlon; Kevin Fennelly, Conor Donlon, Cathal Kelleher; Oran Darcy, Ronan Donlon, Damien McCaul. Subs: Daire Stapleton, Jack Egan, Conor McCaul, Martin Stapleton.
REFEREE: Clifford Ward (Portarlington)