Carrickedmond cruise to Intermediate title triumph

12.09.10 | IFC Final | Carrickedmond 2-10 Ballymore 0-5 | By Padraic O'Brien

Carrickedmond cruised to a most emphatic Intermediate Championship title triumph at Pearse Park on Sunday last and were never in any danger against a very disappointing Ballymore side who failed to register a single score from play and who were in big trouble from the moment they conceded a goal with just 11 minutes gone in the county final watched by an attendance in the region of 1,000.

A shot from the always dangerous full-forward Mark McDonnell hit the post and rebounded straight to the alert Jonathan Keegan who was left with the simple task of blasting the ball into the roof of the empty net from a few yards out.

Carrickedmond went on to establish a commanding 1-6 to 0-3 lead at the break and generally experienced little difficulty in making amends for the shattering blow of losing last year's final against Cashel.

Manager Eugene McCormack had his committed players highly charged up straight from the throw-in and the battle for midfield supremacy proved to be a decisive factor with Bernard McElvaney failing to make the major impact that was needed if Ballymore were going to spring a surprise, although his cause was not helped by a hand injury he sustained in the 17th minute of the first half.

County player McElvaney faced fierce resistance from the prominent Carrickedmond pairing of John O'Shea and Michael Kelly, with captain O'Shea particularly impressive, and thus the slick Carrick attack received a great supply of the ball with Padraig O'Shea and Mark McDonnell inflicting most of the damage.

The introduction of Tommy Cummins at centre-half-forward midway through the first half was a shrewd move by the Carrickedmond mentors as he used his physical strength to excellent effect while the winners solid defence rarely put a foot wrong with Tommy Martin (who had a fine game) and Kevin Moran very much to the fore in the full-back-line.

Wing forward John Lenehan was also prominent in putting in a lot of hard work during the course of the game, dropping back to support the defence in the second half, and it was he who capitalised on a terrible clearance by a Ballymore defender to race through with the goals at his mercy in the 3rd minute but elected to fist the ball over the bar.

John Murphy, who never stopped trying for Ballymore, put his side back on level terms when landing a long range free in the 6th minute but Carrickedmond quickly regained the upper hand and a fine point followed from Mark McDonnell who weaved his way through to slot the ball over the bar.

Although the sides were all square when Damien Monaghan fired over a free in the 9th minute, the north Longford outfit struggled badly for the remainder of the first half and never really recovered after Jonathan Keegan grabbed that gift goal for Carrickedmond in the 11th minute.

The advantage was extended with a brace of close range frees converted by Padraig O'Shea (18 mins) and Mark McDonnell (23 mins) and it could have been worse for Ballymore when O'Shea kicked over a point from play in the 26th minute as Marty Mulvey was completely unmarked inside when another goal was there for the taking.

Padraig O'Shea was causing havoc whenever he received the ball and he registered his third point in the 30th minute (a cracking strike) before Ballymore eventually got another score in stoppage time when Damien Monaghan converted a free.

Six points behind at the break, Ballymore were facing a real uphill battle and while Damien Monaghan fired over another free with two minutes gone in the second half the action soon switched to the other end of the pitch and John Lenehan set off on a long run that yielded a terrific point for Carrickedmond in the 36th minute.

Although there was a close call for Carrick a couple of minutes later when a timely block by corner-back Tommy Martin prevented Ballymore from snatching a badly needed goal with Damien Monaghan attempting to get the vital touch in a scramble, Mark McDonnell slotted over a free in the 44th minute to increase the lead.

Ballymore tried to engineer another goal chance in the 49th minute as John Murphy attempted to get the ball into Damien Monaghan but the Carrick keeper Paul McGuire was alert to the danger as he advanced off the line to make a vital interception.

Carrickedmond could even afford the luxury of missing a few good chances in the second half and still win with ease and another brace of scores followed from Mark McDonnell (frees) before Bernard McElvaney (free) got a consolation point for Ballymore in the 56th minute.

John O'Shea capped off a fine performance with a couple of excellent catches in the full-back-line late on and just for good measure Carrickedmond scored another goal in the second minute of stoppage time. Padraig O'Shea and Kevin Moran linked up with the latter putting Mark McDonnell clean through and he chipped the ball over the head of the advancing Ballymore keeper Mark Tighe into the back of the net.

A cool finish, to say the least, and the final scoreline was a fair enough reflection of the trend of the game which was dominated by Carrickedmond as they won the Intermediate title for the third time in their history and apart from a return to the senior ranks the proud south Longford club can now look forward to a home game against the Laois champions in the first round of the Leinster Club competition on Sunday October 31st.

CARRICKEDMOND: Paul Maguire; Padraig McGrath, Kevin Moran, Tommy Martin; James Murray, John Gerety, Barry Stewart; John O'Shea, Michael Kelly; Jonathan Keegan (1-0), Padraig O'Shea (0-3, one free), John Lenehan (0-2); Gareth Belton, Mark McDonnell (1-5, four points from frees), Marty Mulvey.

Subs:- Tommy Cummins for G Belton (16 mins); Francis Kelly for M Mulvey (57 mins).

BALLYMORE: Mark Tighe; Philip Dawson, Michael Flynn, John Kavanagh; Gregory Walker, Sean Brady, Sean Corr; Bernard McElvaney (0-1, free), Padraig McNerney; Noel Boyle, John Murphy (0-1, free), Padraig Kavanagh; John Gorman, Damien Monaghan (0-3, all frees), Cathal Monaghan.

Subs:- Eoin Donohoe for G Walker (37 mins); John Brennan for S Brady (54 mins).

Referee: Michael O'Brien (Longford Slashers).

Carrickedmond players, club officers and supporters celebrate after winning the Intermediate Football Championship title

Copyright Longford Leader
You can read the Longford Leader every Wednesday or check it out online at www.longfordleader.ie