IAFC final: Ken O'Halloran challenges his Ballinora players to start on front foot in replay

It was most certainly mixed emotions for Ballinora a fortnight ago after the McCarthy Insurance Group IAFC final against Ilen Rovers at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The game did end in a draw on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-15 with the replay at the same venue tomorrow (1.30pm).

As good as a performance that it was from Ballinora, they were thankful to Neil Lordan for landing a two-point free to salvage a draw.

“The character and never-say-die attitude of the players was the most pleasing,” Ballinora coach Ken O’Halloran says.

“This is my third season with the team and they are never beaten. They don’t always play well and don’t always win, but they are always in games and they just keep going.

“You can’t coach that to players, that’s either in them or it’s not. It’s good to know that the lads have that in them.

“We were six points down in the first half, we were never in control of the scoreboard, always fighting back. I thought on the balance of play, a draw was a fair result. We were obviously delighted with it at the end.” 

Ballinora’s players showed no nerves whatsoever two weeks ago and showed their composure appearing in their first final at this grade. What happens tomorrow is anyone’s guess though.

“County finals take on a life of their own really,” the former Cork goalkeeper said.

“You can prepare one way and then you get setbacks in a game, conceding a goal, a two-pointer or a decision by the referee might go against you.

“The message will be not to play the last game in our next game. The game could be different on Sunday.

“While we are very young, we have a few experienced lads, the likes of Shane Kingston, Daragh Holmes and Neil Lordan. The other players can lean on their experience, give it a go and see what happens, if it’s good enough on the day, brilliant.” 

O’Halloran wants his side to start on the front foot in this latest game having been chasing their tail in previous outings.

“Getting off to a good start is always important especially in a game like this. It’s something we haven’t done in recent games.

“We don’t want to be clawing back a big deficit again. This is my third season with Ballinora, there has only been a kick of the ball in every game. To be honest, I don’t see much in this one.”