Ballina maintain fine start to their senior return
Mark Cunningham scored 15 points on Saturday as Team Bar Square Ballina picked up their third straight win of the season. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
After powering to a third victory in a row, Team Bar Square Ballina now go forward to the final eight of the Domino’s MD1 National Cup, where in two weeks they will meet Carrick Cruisers.
In Saturday’s clash with Team North-West, the boys of Ballina left no doubt at the final buzzer as to who was the dominant team as they closed out the game 96-67. The visitors led by up to 37 points during the match, which was also the 13-point debut for birthday boy Theo Daly.
However, that was not the story of the first quarter. Clearly the fresher of the two teams, Team North-West jumped ahead to an early lead as shot after shot fell with no response from Ballina, but a crucial timeout by coach Paul Barrett let the Ballina side regroup and respond with a 10-0 run. American Joseph Owens and captain Markie Cunningham were key contributors as Ballina began to settle into the game.
Not to be deterred, North-West maintained their lead over the visiting side ending the quarter 24-16.
The second quarter turned the game on its head, and it was Ballina’s turn to begin lighting up the court as they converted six three-pointers in the period, putting together a 19-5 run to pull ahead of the home side.
The introduction of guard Matthew McHale provided some much-needed offence as he and Scotsman Miles Felletti both chipped in with ten points. A dominant display saw Ballina notch 39 second quarter points to enter half-time ahead 55-40.
Defensive adjustments from Ballina put the game out of reach of any comeback from Team North-West. Stifled on offence and out of ideas, the hosts only managed to put nine points on the board compared to Ballina’s 23.
David Marrey, Brian Donohoe and Ronan O’Malley worked seamlessly with Owens, securing seven steals and countless rebounds and turned defence to offence as Ballina smothered their opponents. Pushing out further ahead, Ballina ended the quarter up 78-49 ahead.
Up big, Coach Barrett went to his bench as Connor Forkin, Connor Burke, Cian Morrison and Joseph O’Boyle joined the fray. 16-year-old Forkin notched his first National League points, a three pointer and lay up in quick succession as he stayed perfect from the field. Ballina saw out the quarter with no issues with the game ending 96-67.
An excellent outing offensive for McHale (19), Cunningham (15) and Daly (13) shows how deep this Ballina squad is and while some say they may lack experience, they are certainly making up for it in talent. The coming weeks will hopefully see the reintroduction of Ronan McGarrity as he recovers from an injury.
With the preliminary round of cup competition over, Ballina will now look to their first league game against Affinity Institute Cavan Eagles at home on Halloween night. followed by a winner-takes-all Cup game against Carrick Cruisers the following week at home again.
