Ballyglasss V Calry Bohs - 1996 Connaught Cup Final
SLIGO KINGPINS LOSE HOME ADVANTAGE IN SHOWDOWN
Ballyglass defensive strategy works the oracle
Calry Bohs 0 Ballyglass 0
Mission accomplished!
Ballyglass scored a psychological victory over firm favourites Calry Bohs in the Connaught Cup final at the Showgrounds on Sunday with the result their containment strategy richly deserved.
Now they have enhanced their odds of lifting the game’s biggest prize in the province with a home replay against the Sligo kingpins at Milebush in four days time.
Let’s be straight about one thing from the start…this was probably one of the most lack-lustre deciders in the 67-years history of the prestigious competition.
There was relatively little to stir the soul and goal scoring opportunities were at a premium.
But Ballyglass produced a defensive performance of substance and quality which more than overshadowed the best that Calry’s team of many talents could throw at them.
In fact, the South Mayo side went agonisingly close to snatching victory at the death when a skilfully struck free-kick by Justin Keady struck the crossbar with Bohs keeper Vinnie Harte clearly beaten.
Earlier, dynamic midfield ace Joe Reapy had gone even closer.
His ferocious drive from the edge of the penalty area in the 12th minute was sensationally headed off the goal-line by Calry defender Roger Connolly.
Despite having the greater share of possession throughout, Calry did not produce a goalscoring attempt as good as Reapy’s or Keady’s.
Their display was difficult to fathom. They came into the game with a justifiable strong reputation, but their use of possession left much to be desired.
According to my figures, they forced a total of 16 corner-kicks, which accurately reflected the dominance they enjoyed, particularly in the second half.
PERSISTENT PRESSURE
But they failed to exploit telling advantage from that kind of persistence pressure.
The general perception among Sligo people was that they could never play as badly again. Maybe so, and next Sunday’s replay will be fascinating from that perspective alone.
The opposite view, however, was that they were not let play by a Ballyglass rearguard which failed to put a foot wrong.
That side of the argument was certainly considered to have won the debate on thius occasion at least.
From the start, goalkeeper Declan Prendergast was at his courageous and indefatigable best. As early as the fifth minute, he took a blow in the face after diving at the feet of Ray Rooney.
He was determined that nothing was going to pass him on the biggest day of his career, and he succeeded. Although he was never forced to make an outstanding save, his exceptional ball handling was a key feature of the game.
Directly in front of him, the central defensive partnership of Martin Vahey and Colm Burke performed exceedingly well.
Vahey, converted from an attacking role in February, illustrated once again that he possessed a defensive brain to match his skill and flair.
His display was epitomised in the second minute of extra time when he recovered brilliantly after making a bad mistake to deny Kieran Rooney.
Burke, always comfortable on the ball, was commanding in the air and on the ground. His intercepted threating Calry assaults time and again.
SWITCHED WINGS
On the right side, Mick Kelly had one of his best games in the red and white Ballyglass colours. On the other side, Kenny Staunton was short of his very best, although an early booking may have unsettled him.
Ballyglass manager Jarlath Moran made one change at midfield from the one which defeated Abbey United in the penultimate round.
John Noonan and Mark Diskin switched wings. The thinking behind the change was to enable Diskin to drop back into a more defensive role on the right side of the pitch as Calry.
It was a ploy which worked and, at the same time, did not work. The Calry supply line from the left flank was curtailed. But so, too, was the threat of potential match winner John Noonan who, apart from one or two encouraging runs, was all at sea in an unaccustomed left-sided position.
To be candid, there is not an abundance of goals in this Ballyglass side. Not, in any event, since Vahey was appointed to rearguard duties.
Because the prospect is remote of Vahey being switched back into attack at this point, I think it is important, from the point of view of Ballyglass going out and winning the replay, that Noonan plays in his best position.
In fairness to Joe Glynn and Kevin Connolly, they need a supply of ball coming from the flanks to make an impact. This did not happen for them on Sunday.
Of the three Ballyglass substitutes, Brian Donnelly and Justin Keady did most to push their claims for inclusion in the replay.
BAD MISSES
When Calry sit down this week to analysis the game, they will bemoan three bad misses in particular.
Vinny McGee headed wide from eight yards in the 69th minute when he had goalkeeper Prendergast at his mercy.
Kieran Rooney also missed from close range shortly afterwards while substitute Damien Flynn had a superb opportunity in the second period of extra time with which he failed to connect properly.
There is no question Calry will come to Castlebar determined to set the record straight. It will make for a much better game.
Ballyglass cannot take anything for granted.
Calry Bohs: V. Harte, V. McGee, P. Forker, R. Connolly, L. Nicholson, S. Devaney, J. Campbell, P. Dolan, M. Rooney, K. Rooney, R. Rooney.
Res: E. McDarby and D. Flynn (for Dolan and Devaney)
Ballyglass: D. Prendergast, M. Kelly, K. Staunton, C. Burke, M. Vahey, J. Noonan, P. Connolly, J. Reapy, M. Diskin, J. Glynn, K. Connolly.
Res: J. Keady (for Glynn); J. Prenty (for K.Connolly); B. Donnelly (for J.Noonan inj.).
Ref: D. Daly (Galway)
*Star Rating: Martin Vahey….defensive genius
BALLYGLASS BOSS HAPPY WITH RESULT.
Ballyglass manager Jarlath Moran was loud in his praise of his charges following their scoreless draw with Calry Bohs in the Connaught Cup final at the Showgrounds on Sunday.
“They showed tremendous spirit, character and resilience. They did everything I asked of them. In fact we were a little unlucky not to have snached victory at the end”.
“If somebody offered us a 0-0 score line before the match with a replay back at Milebush, we would have jumped at the offer. So we have to be happy with the result and hope we can complete the job in the replay.”
Moran has a number of injury worries as his side prepares for the crunch showdown with Calry.
Right full Mick Kelly and midfielder John Noonan both sustained knocks, but their injuries are not considered serious.
Noonan was forced to cry off on Sunday because of an injury, but he was not unduly worried about it afterwards.
“I’ll be fine. It was only cramp, but I had to come off at the time.”
Joe Reapy, the side’s midfield ace, spoke about his miss in the 12th minute which was dramatically headed off the line by Calry’s Roger Connolly.
“I could not believe he got a head to it. I caught the ball very well and was sure it was going to hit the back off the net.”
Joe Sheridan, secretary, Ballyglass F.C., extended a word of thanks to the large number of supporters from the South Mayo parish which travelled to the game.
“The big turnout of supporters was an immense source of encouragement to our players.”
Padraig Heverin, club chairman, concurred with his secretary. “Our supporters brought great colour and excitement to the occasion. Well done to them all.”
Calry manager Jimmy Flynn will be thinking long and hard about changing things around for Sunday’s replay, and he may play Damien Flynn and Eugene McDarby from the start.
Sunday’s replay at Milebush kicks off at 3.00p.m. and the same officials, David Daly (referee), Noel Kinneen and Paul McGrath (linesmen), will be in charge.
By Tom Kelly (Connaught Telegraph)
