Balla's first-half blank keeps Kilmeena hopes of avoiding relegation
Jack's Carney return to club action with Kilmeena gave some much-needed leadership. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
It was a low scoring, yet high intensity game, as Kilmeena kept their hopes of avoiding relegation alive after defeating Balla at home on Saturday evening. It was a battle of the bottom two teams in the division as Balla sat in ninth place, with Kilmeena in tenth.
Despite there only being one point scored within 20 minutes, the game was end-to-end, and when it came down to it, Kilmeena took their chances, while Balla did not. Jack Carney was a welcome addition back to Kilmeena team after his inter-county season and provided a sense of leadership in the middle of the pitch.
Liam Moore got the opening score of the game for the home side. An excellent long-range point, as Kilmeena were aided by a modest breeze in the opening half. Balla was playing patient football but hesitant to shoot against the breeze. Consequently, they also struggled to break down the Kilmeena defence, which had 14 behind the ball during Balla attacks.
The visitors did string together a promising attack with six minutes played, when Jude Clarke got a shot on goal/ Kilmeena goalkeeper Paul Groden stood strong, however, and made a good save.
Balla had more possession in the opening minutes but were unable to find any scores. Mayo U20 goalkeeper, David Dolan, was missing for the visitors, but Balla had a strong back-up in Matthew Flanagan. Flanagan nearly got his side on the scoreboard with 14 minutes played, but his free kick hit the post, and was collected by a Kilmeena man.
As the 20-minute mark passed, Kilmeena’s sole point was the difference. The 2023 intermediate champions eventually began to settle, thanks to their full-forward line of Darragh Keaveney, Darragh Slattery and Caolach Halligan, who all scored two superb scores each toward the end of the first half. Balla will be disappointed with their opening half, as the teams went in at the interval, Kilmeena leading 0-7 to 0-0.
The home side got a quick start to the second period, as Darragh Slattery found the back of the net, however, this goal was ruled out, due to a square ball.
With 34 minutes on the clock, Balla scored their first point of the match through a Gary McHale free. Cillian Golding kicked a second only two minutes later.
Despite the breeze dying down, it seemed as though Balla may make a comeback. With 42 minutes on the clock, Kilmeena centre-back Daniel Lavelle was shown a black card, after a collision with Luke Flatley. Balla played ten minutes with an extra man but could not find a score. The home side did play well during this period, holding on to the ball as much as possible, while Balla kicked several wides.
Despite Kilmeena playing with 14 men, they managed to score two points in this ten-minute period, one from Keith Joyce and an excellent point from Darragh Keaveney. The winning of the game came in the 53rd minute. Man-of-the-match Caolach Halligan got the ball and made a direct run for goal. Halligan managed to slot the ball into the back of the net, despite heavy pressure from the Balla defence. This gave Kilmeena a 1-9 to 0-2 lead.
Gary McHale scored four frees in the remaining minutes, but it was too late, Kilmeena had secured the two precious points.
