Ballyglass V Bangor - Premier Division League - 11th April, 2010
Ballyglass 5 Bangor Hibs 2
The early exchanges in this game would never have predicted an outcome of this nature with Ballglass struggling to get a grip on the game, and the early midfield exchanges very much in Bangor Hibs favour. Ballyglass however showed great determination in battling hard, and eventually proving to be worthy winners of this encounter.
Bangor had the first attempt on goal when a long ball from defender Sean Bradley was headed away for a corner by the home defence when it could have very nearly ended up in the back of the net after 8 minutes. Some two minutes later Tom Meenaghan did well on the left wing and crossed for the in-rushing Brian McHale to hammer home the opening goal for the visitors.
Bangor were dominating these early midfield exchanges and giving a good supply of ball to the front runners – Bangor’s McHale was looking dangerous with every attack and causing the home defence some degree of trouble with his footballing skills.
Ballyglass responded however and found the net after 14 minutes when Brian Keane did well on the right, and his centre found P.J Gibbons who hammered home from within the 6 yard box to level matters.
Bangor had further half chances when Shane Murphy shot into the side netting, and when the home goalkeeper did well to hold McHale’s free kick after 16 and 18 minutes respectively.
Ballyglass took the lead somewhat against the run of play, and with the visitors defence claiming offside, when P J Gibbons initial effort was well saved by Bangor Hibs goalkeeper Michael Moran only to see the rebound falling to the in-rushing John Walsh who shot into an empty net after 24 minutes.
Bangor were continuing to do most of the pressing with Pat Ruddy and John Joe Markwick very much to the fore. Bangor were awarded a free kick on the stroke of half time some 25 yards from goal and slightly to the left. Brian McHale unleashed a powerful drive which flew past Damian Fitzpatrick in the Ballglass goal and to level matters for the visitors with an absolute gem of a goal.
It seemed as if the sides would retire at half time on level terms but we were in for more drama. Jarlath Reilly’s injury time free kick went into the Bangor goal area. Moran in the Bangor goal punched his clearance to safety - Referee Aidan Nevin however deemed that the goalkeeper had fouled Daniel Burke in the process, and pointed to the penalty spot, much to the annoyance of the visitors – Alan Jennings calmly slotted home the resultant penalty kick to give the home side a 3 – 2 half time lead.
It seemed as if parity would be restored at the start of the second half when Ballyglass full back Brian Keane needlessly nudged Shane Mandan in his own penalty area with absolutely no imminent danger, and Aidan Nevin once again had no option but to point to the penalty spot. On this occasion however Brian McHale’s effort was brilliantly saved by Damian Fitzpatrick and cleared to safety.
A couple of minutes later Shane Mangan had a good chance to level matters once again but his effort went into the side netting.
Ballyglass, with Alan Jennings and Daniel Burke playing a more dominant role, and influencing matters in midfield were now getting the upper hand. They increased their lead in the 65th minute when a powerful half volley by Daniel Burke from 30 yards went all the way to the back of the net.
Ballyglass completed their scoring some five minutes later when Kevin Burke hit first time from 25 yards to give the home side an unassailable lead. Try as they may for the final 20 minutes and with lots of possession, Bangor were unable to penetrate a resolute home defence.
Both sides are to be commended for their efforts with a fair level of fitness for an opening league game in the 2010 campaign, and some fine quality play from a number of individuals – both sides can look forward to competing for honours this season. Congratulations to Ballyglass also on such fine facilities at Michael Keaveney Park with a wonderful playing surface for both sets of players to display their talents.
Ballyglass
D Fitzpatrick, B Keane, J Reilly, D Ruane, D Reilly, K Burke, A Jennings, D Burke, J Walsh, D Mahon, P J Gibbons subs N Sheridan, C Moran, J Noonan, M O’Brien, A Walsh.
Bangor Hibs
M Moran, M J Carey, S Bradley, C Murphy, S Ginty, J J Markwick, S Mangan, P Ruddy, S Murphy, B McHale, T Meenaghan subs P Bradley, J Flannery, R Cuffe, M Rowland
Referee – Aidan Nevin
Man of the match – Alan Jennings – strong performance all through
Match Report – Joe Butler
The early exchanges in this game would never have predicted an outcome of this nature with Ballglass struggling to get a grip on the game, and the early midfield exchanges very much in Bangor Hibs favour. Ballyglass however showed great determination in battling hard, and eventually proving to be worthy winners of this encounter.
Bangor had the first attempt on goal when a long ball from defender Sean Bradley was headed away for a corner by the home defence when it could have very nearly ended up in the back of the net after 8 minutes. Some two minutes later Tom Meenaghan did well on the left wing and crossed for the in-rushing Brian McHale to hammer home the opening goal for the visitors.
Bangor were dominating these early midfield exchanges and giving a good supply of ball to the front runners – Bangor’s McHale was looking dangerous with every attack and causing the home defence some degree of trouble with his footballing skills.
Ballyglass responded however and found the net after 14 minutes when Brian Keane did well on the right, and his centre found P.J Gibbons who hammered home from within the 6 yard box to level matters.
Bangor had further half chances when Shane Murphy shot into the side netting, and when the home goalkeeper did well to hold McHale’s free kick after 16 and 18 minutes respectively.
Ballyglass took the lead somewhat against the run of play, and with the visitors defence claiming offside, when P J Gibbons initial effort was well saved by Bangor Hibs goalkeeper Michael Moran only to see the rebound falling to the in-rushing John Walsh who shot into an empty net after 24 minutes.
Bangor were continuing to do most of the pressing with Pat Ruddy and John Joe Markwick very much to the fore. Bangor were awarded a free kick on the stroke of half time some 25 yards from goal and slightly to the left. Brian McHale unleashed a powerful drive which flew past Damian Fitzpatrick in the Ballglass goal and to level matters for the visitors with an absolute gem of a goal.
It seemed as if the sides would retire at half time on level terms but we were in for more drama. Jarlath Reilly’s injury time free kick went into the Bangor goal area. Moran in the Bangor goal punched his clearance to safety - Referee Aidan Nevin however deemed that the goalkeeper had fouled Daniel Burke in the process, and pointed to the penalty spot, much to the annoyance of the visitors – Alan Jennings calmly slotted home the resultant penalty kick to give the home side a 3 – 2 half time lead.
It seemed as if parity would be restored at the start of the second half when Ballyglass full back Brian Keane needlessly nudged Shane Mandan in his own penalty area with absolutely no imminent danger, and Aidan Nevin once again had no option but to point to the penalty spot. On this occasion however Brian McHale’s effort was brilliantly saved by Damian Fitzpatrick and cleared to safety.
A couple of minutes later Shane Mangan had a good chance to level matters once again but his effort went into the side netting.
Ballyglass, with Alan Jennings and Daniel Burke playing a more dominant role, and influencing matters in midfield were now getting the upper hand. They increased their lead in the 65th minute when a powerful half volley by Daniel Burke from 30 yards went all the way to the back of the net.
Ballyglass completed their scoring some five minutes later when Kevin Burke hit first time from 25 yards to give the home side an unassailable lead. Try as they may for the final 20 minutes and with lots of possession, Bangor were unable to penetrate a resolute home defence.
Both sides are to be commended for their efforts with a fair level of fitness for an opening league game in the 2010 campaign, and some fine quality play from a number of individuals – both sides can look forward to competing for honours this season. Congratulations to Ballyglass also on such fine facilities at Michael Keaveney Park with a wonderful playing surface for both sets of players to display their talents.
Ballyglass
D Fitzpatrick, B Keane, J Reilly, D Ruane, D Reilly, K Burke, A Jennings, D Burke, J Walsh, D Mahon, P J Gibbons subs N Sheridan, C Moran, J Noonan, M O’Brien, A Walsh.
Bangor Hibs
M Moran, M J Carey, S Bradley, C Murphy, S Ginty, J J Markwick, S Mangan, P Ruddy, S Murphy, B McHale, T Meenaghan subs P Bradley, J Flannery, R Cuffe, M Rowland
Referee – Aidan Nevin
Man of the match – Alan Jennings – strong performance all through
Match Report – Joe Butler
