Kiskeam beat Ballingeary but fail to qualify in SAFC

Kiskeam 1-11 Ballingeary 0-13 

AN impressive win for Kiskeam at Millstreet but Ballingeary progress to the Bons Secours SAFC quarter-final regardless, where they'll face Knocknagree.

The victors kicked all their points from play including a brilliant 0-5 from Thomas Casey. However, their season is over, while Beál Atha will be disappointed to have lost despite being two points up at the break but have a chance to make amends in the knockout stages.

Ballingeary grabbed the first score when Conchúr Ó Loingsigh put the ball over the bar in the first minute. Casey kickstarted Kiskeam with a point from play followed by a score from a 45. 

Ó Loingsigh worked hard to get another score for Ballingeary before Donagh Seartan joined him on the scoreboard with a score of his own. Relentless tackling from Ciaran Ó Nunáin prevented Casey from finding the back of the net but he got back on track with yet another point. 

Ó Loingsigh continued his superb form with another score from play, swiftly followed by his sixth point in the first half. 

Tomás Dennehy raised a white flag before Ballingeary’s Seartan got his third point put the Muskerry outfit 0-8 to 0-6 up at the short whistle.

Aindrias Ó Coinceannáin kicked the first score of the second half after a super save from Anthony Casey prevented Ballingeary from finding the back of the net. An incredible crossfield pass from Kiskeam’s Dave Scannell allowed Kieran O'Connor to get the goal they had been gunning for before Ben Seartan compensated with a point from a free down the other end. 

Casey continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over alongside Sean O'Sullivan and AJ O'Connor and sloppy passing from Ballingeary kept the ball firmly in Kiskeam’s possession.

Another excellent score from O'Sullivan stretched the gap even further between the two teams, despite great efforts from Sean Ó Luasa to deliver the ball into the Ballingeary full-forward line. 

A dangerous ball from Colmán Ó Tuama unsettled the Kiskeam full-back line but they kept their cool despite Thomas Casey receiving a red card due to a late tackle. 

Ballingeary couldn’t make use of the extra man though and a missed free from Ó Loingsigh allowed Kiskeam to regain the momentum. 

A well-taken free from Ben Seartan and a score from O Loingsigh was little compensation to the beaten side as the final whistle blew allowing Kiskeam to come out with a win.

Scorers for Kiskeam: T Casey 0-5, K O Connor 1-0, S O'Sullivan, AJ O'Connor 0-2 each, T Dennehy, M Herlihy 0-1 each.

Ballingeary: C Ó Loingsigh 0-6 (0-1 f), D Seartan 0-4, B Seartan 0-2 (0-1 f), A Ó Coinceannáin 0-1.

KISKEAM: A Casey; J Daly, J O Connor, D Linehan; AJ O Connor, K O’Connor, M Casey; T Casey, T Dennehy; M Casey, M Herlihy, E Daly; D Scannell, S O’Sullivan, D Fitzgerald.

Sub: D Murphy for D Fitzgerald.

BALLINGEARY:

D Ó Coill; C Ó Nunáin, É Ó Duinnín, J Ó Donnchú; C Ó Duinnín, A Ó Loinsigh, N Ó Laoire; A Ó Coinceannáin, C Ó Loinsigh; D Seartan, C Ó Tuama, L Ó Criodàin; D MacTomáis, B Seartan, D Ó Ceallachàin.

Subs: M O Riordan for C Ò Tuama, S Ò Luasa for D Ò Ceallacháin.

Referee: Justin Murphy (Castletownroche)