Ballinora land a first Muskerry U21 A football championship title after beating Naomh Abán

Ballinora: 3-11 

Naomh Abán: 0-9

BALLINORA have been crowned Macroom Motors Muskerry U21 A football champions for the first time after proving too strong for Naomh Abán in the decider at Ovens on Sunday afternoon.

A storming opening 30 minutes laid the groundwork for this success for Ballinora, as they led by nine points at half-time, but Naomh Abán came out a different side after the break and trailed by just five points with nine minutes to go, but they just couldn’t reel in their opposition. 

Naomh Abán were aiming for their first crown at this level of U21 football since 1995, and that wait will extend into another year.

On a lovely day for football in front of a large crowd, it was Ballinora who were quick out of the blocks as they kicked the first two points through the Quirke brothers, Michael and Robert, with the latters point an excellent 45 from a difficult angle. Naomh Abán did land their first score after six minutes through an Ed Ó Mír white flag, as they struggled to get to grips with the opponents. 

Ballinora put clear daylight between the sides, with 1-6 without reply as they led 1-8 to 0-1 after 21 minutes. The impressive Andrew O’Sullivan with the goal following a driving run. Naomh Abán required a score and they did point two on the bounce courtesy of Ó Mír, one coming from a free, 1-8 to 0-3 with six minutes to the break.

Ballinora were in control, playing slick football through the lines, as they kicked two of the last three points of the half to lead 1-10 to 0-4 at half-time. 

The very lively Ballinora wing-back Ivan Quirke bisected the posts for the first score of the second half and it looked like the team in red and green would coast to victory. They were made to work for it though, as a fired up Naomh Abán, who brought Ó Mír out from full-forward to get on the ball helped, as they kicked five white flags on the trot, with Jack Ó Donnchú’s inspirational point the pick of those scores, 1-11 to 0-9 with nine minutes to go. 

The Ballyvourney side would fail to score again, as Ballinora struck for their second goal, which was against the run of play, as substitute Ben Mayer cooly slotted the ball into the back of the net after 56 minutes. A third goal arrived in injury-time when O’Sullivan slammed the ball into the net with the full-time whistle sounding soon after.

Ballinora will now progress to the county championship, which will be played towards the end of the year.

Scorers for Ballinora: A O’Sullivan 2-1, R Quirke (0-2 45, 0-1 f), I Quirke 0-3 each, B Mayer 1-0, M Quirke, K Werner 0-2 each.

Naomh Abán: E Ó Mír 0-6 (0-3 f), D Ó Ceallaigh 0-2, J Ó Donnchú 0-1.

BALLINORA: A McAllen (capt); D Byrne, R Barrow, C O’Flynn; N Davis, J Byrne, I Quirke; S Kingston, A Laverty; M O’Brien, M Quirke, D Dineen; K Werner, R Quirke, A O’Sullivan.

Subs: B Mayer for K Werner, P Mayer for A Laverty (both 41), S Lyons for D Dineen, S Brennan for A O’Sullivan (both 52), C O’Donoghue for R Quirke (61).

NAOMH ABÁN: E Ó Luasa; C Ó Críodáin, J Ó Murchú, S Ó Horgáin Loingsigh; C Ó Luasa, A Ó Cathasaigh, J MacSuibhne; J Ó Donnchú, M Ó Conaola; D Ó Loingsigh, D Ó Ceallaigh (capt), E Ó Laoire; T Ó Críodáin, E Ó Mír, M Ó Suilleabháin.

Subs: D Ó Luanaigh for C Ó Críodáin, T Ó Ceallaigh for J MacSuibhne, S Tinsley for E Ó Laoire (all h-t), L Ó Murchú for T Ó Críodáin (56).

Referee: Robert Whelan (Gleann na Laoi).