Strong finish sees Carr’s charges home against Killimor in Junior B final replay

Ballinderreen 0-13

Killimor 0-9

AFTER a two-day battle that saw neither team give an inch, Ballinderreen ended a 22-year wait for Junior B hurling silverware after four late points got them over the line.

When Anthony Callaghy’s third score brought Killimor back on terms with 10 minutes left, Shane Lyons’ charges had the momentum having battled back on countless occasions.

If anything, this was Killimor’s time but they couldn’t convert their opportunities as six second half wides denied them the lead.  And with one final burst, Ballinderreen drove towards the winners’ enclosure.

Aidan Duffy struck two points, Gary Forde found Colm Gill for a white flag, and substitute Allen Martyn put four between them as Billy Carr’s team won their third title after wins in 1942 and 1996.

But while this was a game dominated by defenders, it began and ended in exciting fashion on a day both teams had their moments. Indeed, before Martyn got Ballinderreen’s last score, Gill looked to have finished it off.

He started the drawn match with a goal and he nearly finished the replay in perfect fashion hitting a ground stroke past Garry Keane only for the ball to rattle the post.

And that miss nearly came back to haunt them as Killimor tried to salvage the game. A late free gave Micheal Dervan the chance to strike low. But despite 14 scores in this two-game tussle, Killimor’s free taker couldn’t catch a break in this half and keeper Colin Kelly deflected the shot away ensuring the win.

The first half also began in thrilling fashion with Ballinderreen awarded a penalty after just 25 seconds. Hugh Moylan looked lively from the throw-in and after a series of passes was taken down inside the square.

Ballinderreen looked to repeat their drawn game start and could have no complaints with Aidan Duffy’s fierce effort, only for Killimor stopper Keane to bravely deflect the ball over the crossbar.

Keane’s puck outs were going to be critical for Killimor’s cause and a long ball on two minutes was taken in the air by Ronan Egan who turned to level the match. But Ballinderreen were enjoying the early momentum as Duffy sent over two more white flags.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and  county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.