Ballinagh Crowned Champions

Ballinagh 2-12
Lavey 2-05

Ballinagh captured there second U-21 title in as many years on Sunday last by defeating rivals Lavey in an exciting encounter in Breffni Park.

The decider, a repeat of the previous year’s final, proved a tight game throughout, with a late scoring flourish from a determined Ballinagh putting the tie beyond doubt.

Ballinagh were first out of the blocks with scores from Ciaran Brady and Micheal Higgins giving the town side an early lead. Lavey began to attack and after several wides finally got on the score sheet when broken ball in the square was scrambled home by the Lavey full-forward.

A Ciaran Brady free levelled the scores before Lavey regained the lead from there own dead ball situation. Ballinagh upped their tempo at this point and a smart one-two ended with Anthony Gaynor lashing Ballinagh back on terms with there opponents. Colin Gumley and Ciaran Brady tapped over frees before Gumley produced a superb effort from play to leave Ballinagh three points to the good at the break (0-7 to 1-1).

The second half could not have started worse for Ballinagh as Lavey netted after finding themselves with only the keeper to beat. Ballinagh fought hard to take hold of the lead and exchanging points with their counterparts. Ballinagh's scores coming from Colin Gumley left the scores standing 0-9 to 2-3. Ballinagh tried steady ship by introducing Captain Damien McInerney into the action. McInerney was immediately in the thick of the action and restored the Ballinagh lead.

Ballinagh began to produce their best spell of the game and although a fisted point from Colin Gumley was met with quick reply the boys in gold never looked back. A fantastic free from man of the match Colin Gumley strengthened Ballinagh's lead.

Seconds later another attack saw David Finnegan drop a high ball into the square which Anthony Gaynor emphatically fisted to the roof of the net. The saffrons were coasting and when a Ruairi Brennan effort came back of the post Kevin Smith was quickest to react and made no mistake in hitting the onion bag, as Ballinagh ran out deserved winners.

Ballinagh - Patrick Carroll, Killian McBride, Terry Smith, Enda Gavin, Adrian Cahill, Padraic O'Reilly, Niall O'Reilly, Cian McDermott, Anthony Gaynor(1-1), Micheal Higgens (0-1), Ruairi Brennan, Ciaran Brady (0-3), Colin Gumley (0-6), David Finnegan.
Subs - Damien McInerney (0-1) for Micheal Higgens, Kevin Smith (1-0) for Ciaran Brady.

Referee - Donal Reilly, Kingscourt.