Lynch leads St Malachy’s to impressive victory

St Malachy's 2-11, Ballynacargy 1-8

The shortened version is tale of joy and woe in equal measure, but that doesn’t tell the entire story from this interesting Intermediate Football Championship clash at The Downs on Monday evening.

St Malachy’s won in facile fashion but only after Ballynacargy produced the kind of second half display that more accurately reflects their fine start to this year’s campaign. Slick transition from defence to attack was a key factor in St Malachy’s six-point victory and they had the players in David Lynch, Aonghus Clarke, Morgan Gavigan and Shane Corcoran to execute the plan.

It was no great surprise, yet Ballynacargy failed to stop an unassailable lead (2-7 to 0-0 after 20 minutes) developing. They sat deep and by the time the second half began, the damage was too severe: a wrecking ball had persistently pounded in the opening 30 minutes and they were left to gather the rubble. It was 2-8 to 0-3 at half-time, the scoreline enhanced only by a fine save by ‘keeper Tommy Nally from Corcoran’s penalty late on.

Given the severity of the blows - goals from Gavigan and Corcoran in the ninth and 12th minutes, respectively, having the greatest impact - Ballynacargy were manful in the clean-up operation. Their second half was vastly improved; St Malachy’s never had the same time and space on the ball while Ballynacargy scored 1-5, including 1-1 from industrious midfielder Luke Price, both from frees.

The scores didn’t arrive with the same kind of fluency or artistry as they had done for the Castletown Geoghegan men in the opening half, but it was a major improvement nonetheless. A lively breeze favoured Bal’ in the second half (not enough to be a major factor) and they threw caution to the wind, switching Callum Maher from defence to attack where he was lively and threatening. A mini resurgence owed much to that.

Of course, the game was won early and that must be factored into any reasonable analysis. Lynch was superb and ranged the pitch so effortlessly at times: his audacious long delivery to Niall O’Brien led to that Corcoran goal in the 12th minute which gave his side a perfect platform. He made impressive use of the advance mark too, adding to his side’s dominance.

Some of their score taking was eye-catching as Corcoran, Neal Kirby, Jack Gallagher (mark) and Niall O’Brien impressed, and their opening 20 minutes suggests not only can they top Section B, but they’re a match for the likes of Tubberclair, Castledaly and Ballymore in the race for ultimate honours. They can expect those teams to be on their proverbial shoulders in the first furlong though, and it will be a matter of who then lasts home.

Ballynacargy will comb through the ashes and find positive embers in the final 40 minutes: they got three unanswered points between the 20th and 26th minutes from the impressive Conor Byrne, Troy Maher and Philip Price; a further 0-3 in the third quarter (Price, Jamie Loran and Callum Maher, whose pace added greatly to the attack), and 1-1 from Luke Price in the closing eight minutes. Luke’s booming shot from a quickly-taken free that had been moved forward underlined his side’s effort to gain something from what had looked like a lost cause at the break. Goal achieved in that regard.

In fairness to Bal’, they had emerged from an exceptional weekend that included two weddings and a funeral. Tony Doran and Timmy Mescall both began new chapters in life, sadly former Gael Tony Maher passed away.

Their fighting spirit showed in the circumstances and that will now be crucial as they face Multyfarnham, the winner of which has every chance of taking second place.

St Malachy’s are now leading Section B on six points, while Ballynacargy are second on score difference (+10 to Maryland’s -2).

Man of the match: David Lynch (St Malachy’s): A fine display from the very consistent Westmeath footballer, whose impact was greatest in the opening half when St Malachy’s dominated: a wonderful long pass to Niall O’Brien caught the eye.

Score of the match: St Malachy’s second goal: Lynch sprayed a terrific long ball to Niall O’Brien, who set up the talented Shane Corcoran for a finish from clos -range.

Minute’s silence: A minute’s silence was observed in memory of Tony Maher, Ballynacargy and Eoin and Dylan Fitzpatrick, whose aunt lives in Castletown Geoghegan.

Scorers - St Malachy’s: D Lynch 0-4 (1f; 1m), S Corcoran 1-1, M Gavigan 1-0, N Kirby, J Gallagher (m), N O’Brien, C Gavigan (‘45’), C Murphy and D Ruane 0-1 each. Ballynacargy: Luke Price 1-1 (frees), C Byrne 0-2, P Price 0-2 (1f), T Maher, J Loran and C Maher 0-1 each.

St Malachy’s: Alan Mangan; Eoin Kiernan, Aaron Glennon, Naoise McKenna; Aonghus Clarke, David Lynch, Shane Clavin; Johnny Bermingham, Cian Gavigan; Conor Murphy, Shane Corcoran, Morgan Gavigan; Jack Gallagher, Niall O’Brien, Neal Kirby. Subs: Darren Ruane for Kirby (40), Fergal O’Brien for C Gavigan (49), Peter Murphy for Kiernan (55), Paul O’Sullivan for Gallagher (58).

Ballynacargy: Tommy Nally; Conor Keena, Kieran Sheridan, Callum Maher; Jack Doran, Timmy Mescall, Mark Murphy; Jack Penrose, Luke Price; Tony Doran, Conor Byrne, Philip Price; Dylan Keena, Troy Maher, Jamie Loran. Sub: Wayne Kelly for Loran (44).

Referee: Sean Carroll (The Downs).