Ballinora dominate second half to beat Gabriel Rangers in IAFC quarter-final
A delighted Shane Kingston is flanked by team mates Neil Lordan (left) and Michael Quirke following Ballinora's victory over Gabriel Rangers. Picture: Martin Walsh.
Ballinora upset the form book by overcoming Gabrie Rangers to qualify for the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Intermediate AFC semi-finals at Rossmore last Saturday.
This was the Mid Cork club’s first knockout appearance since 2020 and having avoided relegation via a play-off defeat of Glenville two years ago.
1-7 to 0-4 down at the break, things weren’t looking good for a Ballinora side struggling in front of goal. That was until a third-quarter surge, built on Ivan Quirke and James Lordan’s midfield dominance, saw the eventual winners turn the tide.
Outscoring their opponents 1-9 to 0-4, and restricting Rangers to one point from open play, Ballinora controlled the second period and set up a county semi-final meeting with Kilmurry.
It was all so different during the opening half an hour. The West Cork side got off to the perfect start with wing-back Ger O’Callaghan ghosting in to find the net inside the opening minute.
Additional O’Callaghan and Sean Kelleher points heaped further misery upon Ballinora until James Lordan got them off the mark.
It was 1-4 to 0-3 after 15 minutes when Gabriel’s Eddie Goggin and James O’Regan scored, as did Mark O’Brien and Darragh Holmes at the opposite end. Ballinora corner forward Kevin Werner was twice denied a goal by some last-ditch defending after 17 minutes.
That, and another saved goal attempt from Cork senior footballer Neil Lordan, by goalkeeper Liam Hegarty, saw Rangers comfortably maintain their lead.
Converted James O’Regan and Mark Cronin frees, along with a Killian O’Brien effort, made it 1-7 to 0-4 at the interval.
Michael Quirke and Robert Quirke (free) pointed either side of the break to reduce the deficit. Yet, Gabriel’s responded via a James O’Regan free.
Poor shooting blighted Ballinora’s approach work with Liam Hegarty once again denying Werner from close range. Yet, it was Ballinora’s ability to win ball around the middle third that started a dominant spell.
Consecutive Liam Lyons, Robert Quirke, Ivan Quirke and Mark Quirke scores made it 1-8 to 0-10.
A brace of James O’Regan frees failed to halt Ballinora’s dominance before Kevin Werner raised a white flag and finally netted the goal his performance deserved.
A point clear, Ballinora extended the advantage via Ivan Quirke with five minutes remaining.
Sean Kelleher landed Rangers’ final score but it mattered little. Michael Quirke’s late black card couldn’t prevent a merited Ballinora victory as Ian Wycherley’s point sealed a famous comeback.
K Werner 1-1, I Quirke, R Quirke (0-1 f), M Quirke, M O’Brien 0-2 each, D Holmes, L Lyons, J Lordan, I Wycherley 0-1 each.
J O’Regan 0-5 (0-4 f), G O’Callaghan 1-1, S Kelleher 0-2, E Goggin, M Cronin (f), K O’Brien 0-1 each.
A McAllen; A Laverty, N Lordan, C O’Flynn; D Dineen, S Kingston, J Byrne; I Quirke, J Lordan (jc); M O’Brien, D Holmes, L Lyons; M Quirke, R Quirke, K Werner.
I Wycherley for D Holmes (57), J Keohane for K Werner (62).
L Hegarty; K O’Sullivan, D Regan, R Roycroft; G O’Callaghan, R Hurley, K O’Brien; P O’Driscoll, S Kelleher (c); C Moynihan, J O’Regan, L Bowen; M Cronin, K O’Driscoll, E Goggin.
D McSweeney for R Roycroft (40), J O’Brien for C Moynihan (42).
John Enright (Ballyteague).
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