Two pointers key in Ballingeary's win over Aghabullogue

Ballingeary 2-15 (2-5-5), Aghabullogue 1-14 (1-1-12)

Ballingeary’s ability to kick two pointers proved crucial in their win over Aghalbullogue in their McCarthy Insurance SAFC clash at Macroom on Sunday afternoon.

They hit five over the hour, with four coming in the first half as they ran out deserving winners on the day.

The win puts them back in contention to make the knockout stages, having lost to Kanturk in their opening tie.

Aghabullogue will need to beat Kanturk in their final game to have any chance of going through and hope Dohenys do them a favour against Ballingeary.

The game was only 11 seconds old when we had our first two pointer, with Conchúr Ó Loinsigh on target for Ballingeary.

With five minutes gone Ben Seartan got Ballingeary’s second two-pointer.

A minute later, and Aghabullogue were up and running when Luke Casey scored, with Cialan O’Sullivan and John Corkery also on target, to make it 0-5 to 0-3.

With 12 minutes gone, Aghabullogue were back on level terms when Matthew Bradley scored a two pointer from a free.

Casey put his side in front for the first time from the restart, before Seartan had them level again.

With 21 minutes played Ballingeary had their third two pointer of the half, as Seamus Ó Tuama was on target, and he followed up with another, to make it 0-10 to 0-6.

John Corkery replied with two for Aghabullogue, with O’Sullivan also scoring to make it a one point game.

Into injury time and Cian Ó Duinnín set up Diarmuid Ó Ceallacháin to goal for Ballingeary before Bradley pointed from a free for Aghabullogue, to see the former lead by 1-10 to 0-10 at half-time.

O’Sullivan, Bradley, Shane Tarrant and Casey got the first four points of the second-half to put their side in front by 0-14 to 1-10 after 45 minutes.

Seartan hit back for Ballingeary with a point, before adding a two pointer and another point in quick succession to put four between them.

Ó Tuama was on target before Seán Ó Muineacháin set up Seartan for their second goal, to make it 2-15 to 0-14 heading into injury-time.

Bradley goaled with the last kick of the tie for Aghabullogue, but Ballingeary were deserving winners over the hour.

Scorers for Ballingeary: B Seartan 1-7 (2 2ptr), Diarmuid Ó Ceallacháin 1-1, S Ó Tuama 0-5 (2 2ptr), C Ó Loinsigh 0-2 (1 2ptr).

Aghabullogue: M Bradley 1-4 (1 2ptr f, 0-1 45), J Corkery (0-1 f), L Casey 0-3 each, C O’Sullivan 0-2, S Tarrant, P O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

BALLINGEARY: D Ó Coill; S Ó Donnchú, É Ó Duinnín, B Ó hArgáin; C Ó Duinnín, G Ó Laoire, N Ó Laoire; C Ó Loinsigh, D Ó Brian; Daire Ó Ceallacháin, S Ó Tuama, Diarmuid Ó Ceallacháin; D MacThomáis, B Seartan, D Seartain.

Subs: S Ó Muineacháin for D MacThomáis (ht inj), É Ó Céilleachair for N Ó Laoire (51).

AGHABULLOGUE: I O’Sullivan; P Dilworth, D Merrick, T Long; O O’Connell, S Tarrant, P Ring; C Gillespie, A Murphy; P O’Sullivan, J Corkery, A O’Sullivan; M Bradley, L Casey, C O’Sullivan.

Subs: E O’Sullivan for A O’Sullivan (45), S O’Sullivan for S Tarrant (50).

Referee: Liam O’Shea, Carbery Rangers.