Ballinahown denied comeback victory by Scally’s late strike

Ballinahown 3 Monksland United 3

By John Dingle

A last-gasp goal from Matt Scally salvaged a point for Monksland United against Ballinahown at the Sportspark last Sunday afternoon.

The visitors had squandered a two goal lead and looked like heading home empty handed when Ballinahown led 3-2 heading into the closing stages. There was late drama though as super sub Scally popped up on the stroke of full-time to complete the scoring in a six-goal thriller.

Ballinahown were back in action for the first time since before Christmas and their return looked like a losing one when United took a two-goal lead.

Both number nines, Monksland's Junior Miranda and Ballinahown's Eoin Monaghan, had their respective sides' first chances with the former then providing the opening for Monksland to go ahead after 12 minutes. Good work from Miranda saw the ball worked out to Ryan O’Connor at the far post and the number eleven found the net with a shot across the goalkeeper.

Ballinahown worked hard to grab an equaliser with Shane Allen drilling a free kick over the bar and Monaghan having a shot parried by Cathal Hannon. The first corner kick of the game was earned by Mark Egan’s men midway through the half with a second following after Josh McCarthy had fired wide for Monksland. The home team had lots of possession thus far but looked vulnerable whenever United counter attacked.

The lead was duly doubled after 29 minutes, somewhat against the run of play. O’Connor, on the left, took aim and as his shot went across the goal, Miranda came in at the far post to tap in from point blank range. It looked like a losing return to action for the hosts at this stage, but an Allen header which was saved gave them some hope.

The deficit was reduced after 32 minutes when, from the edge of the penalty area, Michael Monaghan shot home off the post. Ballinahown then went in search of an equaliser before the break with another corner and an target attempt from Kevin Lawless keeping up the pressure on Tommy Naughton's team.

The hosts lived dangerously at times though and they were lucky not to concede an own goal with the post coming to the rescue after Cormac Moore had played the ball into the danger zone. Monksland finished the half on the attack with John Shine shooting wide and a first corner forced on the stroke of half-time.

There was little further action when play resumed in the second half with the only chance during the early stages falling to Ballinahown substitute Terry Byrne, whose shot was blocked.

It continued that way until after the hour mark but the game exploded back to life after 65 minutes when the hosts levelled matters. An Eoin Monaghan cross from the right was not cleared by Monksland and substitute Jason Nugent celebrated his recent introduction with a shot to the net.

It looked at this stage as if the game would end with a point apiece but there were a few more twists to follow before the spoils were shared. Shine looked to restore United’s lead but fired over midway through the half. Having drawn level, Egan’s men wanted to press home their advantage with the lively Nugent having a shot saved and three corners then following in quick succession.

The remarkable home comeback appeared to have been completed with six minutes remaining. The concession of a free kick by United afforded Nugent the chance to send in the delivery from the left. Kieran Colclough got a positive connection to the ball as his header found the net to seemingly steer the hosts towards all three points.

Monksland tried hard to again get back on level terms but when Donagh McCarthy saw his shot saved by the keeper it looked like their chance had gone. The game was into the final minute when United struck again to salvage a point.

The last time the teams met in Cushla Park, Monksland had grabbed an equaliser deep into stoppage time and the levelling score was equally dramatic on this occasion. A cross from the right picked out Shine and although his shot was blocked by Rytis Liaukevicius, super sub Scally was on hand to force the ball home for a remarkable equalising goal.

It ended the action in an exciting encounter with nearly five minutes of added time passing without further noteworthy incident. Monksland will have mixed emotions after the game and while, in the circumstances, happy to share the spoils will be disappointed at throwing away a two-goal lead. Ballinahown too will ponder on what might have been and a point apiece does little to help either team’s chances of success in the pursuit of the title.

Man of the match: Eoin Monaghan (Ballinahown). The number nine showed little signs of a long layoff and covered a lot of ground in midfield and on the attack.

Ballinahown: Rytis Liaukevicius, Nemanja Bozic, Cathal Mannion, Kieran Colclough, Calvin Fox, David Harrington, Shane Allen, Kevin Lawless, Eoin Monaghan, Michael Monaghan, Paul McManus. Subs: Terry Byrne for Lawless (half-time); Jason Nugent for McManus (59 mins); Donagh Prendergast for Allen (77).

Monksland United: Cathal Hannon, Oisin Deehan, Tomas O’Neill, Michael Harrington, Callum O’Brien, Sean Ryan, Ryan O’Connor, Cormac Moore, John Shine, Josh McCarthy, Junior Miranda. Subs: Matt Scally for Deehan (63 mins); Alan Freeburne for McCarthy (70); Donagh McCarthy for Miranda (85).

Referee: Declan Toland (Athlone).