Ballyphehane bring down Knockainey to reach Munster Junior B final
MY BALL: Aaron West, Ballyphehane, under pressure from Conor Fitzgerald, Knockainey. Picture: Brendan Gleeson
Ballyphehane are through to their Munster Junior B Football Championship final after bringing down Limerick side Knockainey in a physical battle at Knockaderry in Sunday’s semi-final.
Having led marginally at the break, 0-5 to 0-2 against a strong wind, Ballyphehane – spurred on by a strong impact from their bench – ramped up the pressure in the second half and punished their opponents’ first half wastefulness.
The goal, converted by Seán Fielding, was what made the difference and sealed it for Ballyphehane.
Despite holding the wind advantage in the first half, Knockainey were far too wasteful with the aid of the breeze, particularly from frees. Though Sean Carroll and Michael O’Grady impressed for the Limerick side – the pair were particularly influential in the battle for the breaking ball – they were unable to get a score from play in that first half.
Rory Reale and Alan Buckley were the only two to raise white flags for Knockainey in that opening period, Reale converting a free and Buckley kicking a 45. Ballyphehane’s only scorers from play in that opening period were Brian O’Leary and Aaron West, but they were in a strong position at the interval with the three-point advantage and facing into a second half with the wind at their backs.
On the restart they pushed ahead, their substitutes making all the difference. Fielding showed great composure late on to dispatch the goal while Danny Kiely raised a white flag from the bench. Jamie O’Brien put in a huge second half shift too.
Prior to netting the goal in the closing stages, Ballyphehane were piling on the points. Craig Murphy would end up kicking three two-point frees in the latter half, while Adam O’Donoghue put in a fantastic shift in the half-forward line
It was a huge defensive showing from Ballyphehane, as they restricted their opponents to just four points in that second half. Now, they’ll face either Clooney Quin of Clare or Kerry outfit Cromane in the final.
The competition, run by Limerick club Knockaderry gives Junior B champions across the Munster counties an opportunity to compete for provincial success. Conditions were tricky on Sunday, but Knockaderry’s pitch held up well.
Colm Barry’s men have already won the Confined Junior B Football Championship, the Seandún Junior B Football Championship and the Terence MacSwiney Cup. Now, they’ll play for one last title before the city outfit make the step up to Junior A in the 2026 season.
Craig Murphy 0-8 (3 tpf, 0-2 f), Sean Fielding 1-0, Aaron West 0-2, Adam O’Donoghue (free), Danny Kiely, Brian O’Leary, Ethon Varian (mark) 0-1 each.
Luke Towler; Dylan Holland, Jamie Geasley, Timmy Walsh; Cian O'Brien (c), Danny Moore, Shane Keating; Troy O'Sullivan, Ethon Varian; Jamie Thompson, Adam O'Donoghue, Aaron West; Craig Murphy, Alex Cummins, Brian O'Leary.
Jamie O'Brien, Seán Fielding, Danny Kiely, Owen Sweeney, Tadgh O'Mahony.
Matt Kenneally, Conor Horgan, Diarmuid Lambert, Eoin Hill, Robbie Wyse.
Tom Clancy; Ger Donworth, Stephen O’Donnell, David Cooke; Alan Buckley, Daniel Buckley, Conor Fitzpatrick; Colin Buckley (vc), Liam Burke; Michael Leo, Pa Reale, Michael O’Grady; Rory Reale, Brian Blackwell, Sean Carroll.
Brian Doody, Eoin Cleary, Aidan O’Riordan, John Ryan, Gareth Cooke (c), Padraic McNamara, Shane Walhs, Josh Hartnett, Daire Leahy, Gearoid Cleary, Fionnan Leahy.
Evan Horan (Kerry)
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