Ballymore beat Legan to capture Michael Moran Cup

24.10.10 | Ballymore 2-10 Legan Srasfields 2-8 | By Deniese O'Flaherty

It was a game that could have gone either way but Ballymore's sheer desire and hunger near the end made sure they captured the Michael Moran Cup when beating Legan in the Division Two League Final at Devine Park, Mostrim on Sunday last.

For long periods of this game Legan were the better side but were guilty of some poor shooting on numerous occasions and that proved costly in the end.

Ballymore's Bernard McElvaney really came to the fore when his side needed him the most and his vision and awareness were the key to this success as well as his free-taking.

It has been a tough few weeks for Ballymore following the tragic death of their PRO and promising talent Glenn Brady. This title is a poignant tribute to the youngster and the emotional scenes at the end of the game showed how much the north Longford club wanted the win.

Although the final went off without any major incident of note, there was controversy before the game.

This fixture was down for 1.30pm but match referee Aidan Dowler was told it was 2pm. Legan got late notice of the change but Ballymore took to the field for a 1.30pm throw-in.

Credit to Dowler he arrived well before 2pm and the game got underway just after 1.50pm. Lucky it turned out okay in the end but the lack of communication on behalf of the County Board led to an embarrassing situation.

Back to matters on the field; Legan (who finished top of the Division 2 table to claim that particular title this season) started the game with a sense of purpose and registered two scores inside the opening five minutes.

Ballymore had to wait until the 12th minute before they opened their scoring; a nice point from Damien Monaghan. They then enjoyed a good spell of possession and a Bernard McElvaney free and a point from play by Padraig Kavanagh put them in front for the first time in the game.

Some hesitancy in the Ballymore defence allowed Legan to have their chance of levelling the game when Michael Flynn touched the ball on the ground and James Nulty duly pointed the equaliser.

Totally against the run of play Ballymore got their first goal; it was an excellent ball in by McElvaney which eventually fell to John Brennan and he shot home from a tight angle.

Legan worked hard to get back into the game and another Nulty free and an excellent point from Paul Ross reduced the deficit to just one. But two points just before the break left Ballymore leading by 1-5 to 0-5.

Legan made a fantastic start to the second half and within the opening three minutes had turned a three point deficit into a three point gain thanks to a brace of goals from Paul Ross. His first goal was a fantastic low strike that deceived everyone. Just over one minute later the midfielder repeated the same feat.

Barry Tierney played the ball into him and he made a burst through to grab his second goal of the game.

A great point from Paddy O’Neill in the 36th minute put four between the sides and the game had now swung in Legan’s favour but it changed one minute later when Ballymore were awarded a penalty after a foot-block; goalkeeper Mark Tighe made no mistake in slotting the ball past his opposite number Paddy Carthy. Ballymore then added two more points to their tally to hit the front again.

Legan replied with another James Nulty free and the game was all square entering the final ten minutes. The south Longford side edged in front five minutes from time with another Nulty free but that was to be their last score of the game.

Bernard McElvaney was a real leader in the final few minutes for Ballymore; hitting over two points to clinch the success.

BALLYMORE: Mark Tighe (1-0, penalty); Philip Dawson, Michael Flynn, Martin Gallagher; Vinny Walker, John Kavanagh, Sean Corr; Padraig Kavanagh (0-1), Pauric McNerney; John Brennan (1-1), Damien Monaghan (0-2, one free), Noel Boyle; Francis Murphy, Bernard McElvaney (0-5, three frees), John Gorman (0-1).

Subs:- John McElvaney for V Walker (47 mins); Eoin Donohoe for J Brennan (57 mins).

LEGAN SARSFIELDS: Paddy Carthy; Kevin Quaine, Shane Cox, Noel O’Neill; Johnny Leonard, Gerry Nugent, Declan O’Neill; Niall Flood, Paul Ross (2-1); Conor Moran, Barry Tierney (0-1, free), John Slowey; Ciaran Murphy, Paddy O’Neill (0-1), James Nulty (0-5, all frees).

Subs:- Ian Moran for J Slowey (40 mins); Kevin Moran for D O’Neill (52 mins).

Referee: Aidan Dowler (Moydow Harpers).

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