Ballinagh 1- 08 Killygarry 0-06

Ballinagh opened their 2006 campaign with a five-point victory over killygarry in Ballinagh last Sunday. With a blistering wind and poor underfoot conditions both teams provided a very entertaining game of football.

Killygarry got off to a dream start and inside 10 mins registered two points courtesy of Thomas Leonard and the ever-lively Stephen Mc Govern. Ballinagh responded with a fine individual effort from Kevin Galligan. Although kicking five wides in an eight-minute period, Killygarry increased their lead when top marksman Thomas Leonard kicked a fine point from a very acute angle. With seven minutes left Declan Beard and Stephen Mc Govern exchanged scores, while a further point from Thomas Leonard gave the visitors a three-point lead. Paul Galligan closed the deficit to two with a long-range effort right on the break.

A lively start to the 2nd half saw the home side grab two early points with Kevin Galligan and Declan Beard finding the range for Ballinagh. Now playing with the strong wind Ballinagh rallied and with 13mins gone in the second half Kevin Galligan gave Ballinagh a three-point lead with a clinical finish from the edge of the small square. Killygarry worked tirelessly but failed to record a score until late in the game. Ballinagh went four points ahead with a fine solo effort from David Finnegan, and two wonderful free kicks fro Declan Beard gave the home side a six point lead. Killygarry applied the pressure on the Ballinagh defence and were rewarded when Damien Keaney kicked over a free 5mins from the end, and this point proved to be the last score of the day.

Despite the harsh weather conditions this proved a very entertaining game of football.

Ballinagh: D Mc Carthy, K Mc Bride, A Durkin, A Duffy, P Galligan, D Mc Inearney, N Reilly, C Mc Dermott, P Maguire, D Beard, A Maguire, R Brennan, D Finnegan, K Galligan, C Gumley.

Killygarry: P Galligan, D Gannon, E Smith, E Gilsenan, P Cahill, A Mc Govern, M Mc Govern, D Thomas, J Mc Govern, N Smith, S Maloney, S Mc Govern, D Keaney, O Farrely.