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A.C.F.L. Division 2, Round 5

Thursday 28th June 2007

Ballylinan 3-06 Portarlington 1-10

Portarlington made the trip to Ballylinan to face the home side in this very important league tie for both teams. Port were off the mark first playing into a strong wind and were two points to the good before Conor Harrington kicked a great long range point. A pointed free from Portarlington restored their two point lead but with Ballylinan fiercely contesting every ball they drew themselves level with a Kieran Kelly free and an excellent long range point from centre half forward Aidan Walsh. A purple patch of excellent football followed for Portarlington in which they scored a goal and three points without reply to leave the half time score 1-06 to 0-03 in favour of the visitors. After some strong words at half time by the Ballylinan mentors the home side opened the second half scoring with a Kieran Kelly point. The Ballylinan forwards were starting to find some room but were failing to convert the chances. Ballylinan were than awarded a penalty after Gary Walsh got inside his man to be denied by the goalkeeper only for the Portarlington corner back to pick the ball off the ground. Aidan Walsh stepped up and made no mistake with the spot kick. Conor Harrington then won a bad kick out and was fouled but his quickly taken free was intercepted and a Port counter attack resulted in a 21 yard free which they converted to put three points between the sides. Conor Harrington made amends shortly after with a great individual effort. At this stage Portarlington dug deep and kicked two good points to put four between the sides and seemed capable of pushing for home. Ballylinan however were not going to let this game go without a fight and when Liam Kealy got on the end of a long ball into the square to finish to the net we were set for a grand stand finish. Portarlington tried hard to hang on to their lead but with only minutes remaining Ballylinan caught them on the break and Kieran Kelly crashed the ball to the back of the net to put Ballylinan in front for the first time in the game. Port then scored a point to put the minimum between the sides but Liam Kealy finished the scoring with a point for Ballylinan just before the full time whistle to leave the final score Ballylinan 3-06 Portarlington 1-10.

Ballylinan – Padraig Brandon, Padraig Kaye, Richie Ryan, Keelan Melaniff, Eric Kenna, Gary ‘Mexican’ Walsh, Cathal Leonard, DJ Kealy, David Brennan, Paul Julian, Aidan Walsh(1-1), Gary ‘Reverend’ Walsh, Conor Harrington(0-2), Kieran Kelly (1-2), Liam Kealy (1-1). Subs: Brian McEvoy for Gary ‘Reverend’ Walsh 45th min.

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