Balyna hold off Killoe to reach Leinster Final
Balyna celebrate after booking their place in a Leinster final
Balyna survived a nervy six minutes of injury time before finally holding off Longford champions Killoe to book their place in a Leinster Final.
Aoibheann Birchall had kicked the final score for the Kildare side ten minutes before the final whistle and there was a lot of defending to do before their place in the final was secured but that’s what Balyna did.
It wasn’t always pretty but it wasn’t the day for that. Leinster semi-finals in away grounds are rarely won in flying style, they are days for digging in and showing heart and character, and Balyna had that in abundance.
That was summed by Julie Brannigan who twice in injury time raced back to break up threatening looking counter attacks with perfectly timed tackles.
Balyna played with the wind in the first half but it was the home side who scored the first two points of the game.
They were answered back by Rachel Cribbin and Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal but a goal by Jacinta Brady in the 13th minute felt like a big score in such a tight game.
However, it proved to the last score of the half conceded by Balyna. All six of their defenders were in top form but especially so in their half back line where Ellen Morgan was outstanding in the number six jersey.
Two Aoibheann Birchall frees either side of Cribbin’s second of the game left it all square at half time, 0-5 to 1-2, but with a lot of work to be done for Balyna as they turned into that strong wind after the change of ends.
County player Niamh Brady put Killoe back into the lead early in the second half before another Birchall free tied the game again.
Balyna went into the lead in the 39th minute when the half back line showed what they could do in the opposing half. Lucy Cullinan played a lovely give-and-go with Morgan and after receiving the return pass slotted through the posts.
Birchall’s best free of the game gave them a two point lead heading into the final 15 minutes.
Brady answered back but by then, Balyna’s chances had been bolstered the introduction of the ultra-experienced Kildare legends Aisling Holton and Siobhan Hurley.
Birchall’s free in the 56th minute again left two between the teams but Brady struck back immediately.
There was just a point between the sides for the final eight minutes of football and the sizeable crowd was on tentherhooks as Killoe looked for an equalising score.
Balyna managed that time superbly though and they are now through to a Leinster final against St Fechins of Louth on 8th November. That game will have extra significance for Balyna manager Kevin Larkin as he is also manager of the Louth county team and he led them to an All-Ireland Junior title last August, where St Fechins player Ceire Nolan was player of the match in the Croke Park final win over Antrim.
Ruth Bergin; Kate Langley, Sadie Cullinan, Holly O’Keefe, Lucy Cullinan 0-1, Ellen Morgan, Megan Cooney; Julie Brannigan, Leah Doran; Rachel Cribbin 0-2, Erica Burke, Caoimhe Ní Bhuircéal 0-1, Lauren Dixon, Grace Gallagher, Aoibheann Birchall 0-5 (4fs). Subs: Aisling Holton for Gallagher, 45; Siobhan Hurley for Ní Bhuircéal, 54; Robyn Hurley for Dixon, 58.
Bronagh Reilly; Amy Finnegan, Laura Gallagher, Riane McGrath, Eimear Igoe, Fiona Toher, Aideen Mulligan; Maria Reehill, Emma Doris; Clodagh Reilly, Jacinta Brady 1-0, Mia Shannon, Ailbhe Mulligan, Niamh Brady 0-4 (2fs), Anna McDonnell 0-1. Subs: Anne Marie Gately for McDonnell, 45; Darina McGoldrick for Mulligan, 51; Ava Finneran for Shannon, 53; Aoibhinn O’Brien for Reilly, 54.
Henri Clifford (Meath)
