Regan takes a liking to new rules as Ballina launch season in victory
Evan Regan: "Being a forward for almost a decade now, we have been used to sweepers and blanket defences. Now, however, it is great to have that bit more space up front."
Garrymore were outscored 2-4 to 0-4 in the second-half as county champions Ballina Stephenites prevailed in a historic contest last Saturday night, the first competitive club game to be played under Gaelic football’s new rules at the historic South Mayo venue.
Ballina, inspired by six points from the excellent full-forward Evan Regan, played their best football after half-time, having initially struggled to shake off a stiff home challenge. Garrymore played some impressive football, especially in the first-half, but struggled to produce it consistently throughout the 60 minutes, which failed to produce a first-ever two-pointer from kicking the ball over the bar from outside the newly marked 40-metre arc. In the end, it was Niall Heffernan’s side who advanced to the County Cup final against Charlestown Sarsfields.
“We were really looking forward to this trip to Garrymore, getting back out on the pitch and obviously with the new rules now being in place,” a smiling Evan Regan told the Western People after the game. “We have been working a lot on implementing these new rules over the last few weeks. It’s very exciting, especially on an excellent pitch here in Garrymore under lights. We’re just excited to be back.
“The three-up rule is obviously the most significant rule change for me,” Regan continued. “Being a forward for almost a decade now, we have been used to sweepers and blanket defences. Now, however, it is great to have that bit more space up front. It’s easier for us forwards to be more creative and as you can see, we got a lot of shots off tonight, a lot of wides too unfortunately, but with just a little more accuracy, our tally at the end could have been a lot higher.” Looking to the year ahead, the former Mayo footballer said he is very excited about what the future holds.
“Over the last few years we have had a good foundation of players coming through from underage, players who have really bought into working in the gym, working on their strength and conditioning. They have all really bought into what we have been trying to work towards. We had a lot of young players who really got their chance here tonight that are hungry to impress the management team, which is great to see,” added Regan.
Conditions were immaculate as referee John Glavey got proceedings underway and it was Garrymore who led at the interval, but only by the minimum of margins, 0-5 to 0-4. Ballina did have most of the possession in the opening quarter but didn’t make it count on the scoreboard while Garrymore kicked seven wides in the opening 20 minutes.
Liam Horkan, Joseph Ferriter and Gary Golden all got off the mark from play with Mark Gibbons scoring twice, including from a free, to give Garrymore the edge at the break. Evan Regan kicked three of his side’s four points, two from play and one free, with Mark Birrane getting on the scoresheet also.
The sides were level at 0-6 apiece early in the second-half when suddenly, Ballina struck 1-1 within 60 seconds. Garrymore never recovered from this setback. A high free kicked in by Regan was not dealt with adequately in the goalmouth and Ballina substitute Matthew Leonard got the final touch to send the ball to the net.
Credit to Garrymore, they rallied and with Mark Gibbons and young Joseph Ferriter both causing havoc in the full-forward line, they narrowed the gap with three Gibbons’ points, two frees and one from play, but could never draw level.
Once another Ballina sub Keith Tigue struck home their second goal in a crowded goalmouth five minutes from time, there was no way back.
Despite both sides playing without a host of their star names, both sets of management can take a lot of positive aspects away from this contest with just a handful of weeks to go before the new season gets underway in earnest.
Scorers – Ballina Stephenites: Evan Regan 0-0-6 (3f), Matthew Leonard and Keith Tigue 1-0-0 each, Mark Birrane and Niall Feeney 0-0-1 each.
Garrymore: Mark Gibbons 0-0-6 (3f), Liam Horkan, Joseph Ferriter and Gary Golden 0-0-1 each.
Garrymore: Brian Lynskey; Jamie Oates, Kenneth Lydon, Conor Lydon; Patrick Hession, Justin Commins, Seán Gildea; Liam Horkan, Jamie Hession; Ronan Quinn, Gary Golden, Shane Nally; Mark Tierney, Mark Gibbons, Joseph Ferriter.
Ballina Stephenites: Eoghan Coleman; Stephen Mullins, Luca Duggan, James Doherty; Mikey Caden, Ciaran Boland, Niall Feeney; Luke Jordan, Ciaran Sweeney; Ben Thornton, Conor McStay, Mark Birrane; Adam McAndrew, Evan Regan, Patrick Carr. Subs: Matthew Leonard (for Carr ht), Keith Tigue and Matthew Quinn (for McAndrew and Caden 41), Aodán McCann (for Sweeney 49), Daniel Winters (for Birrane 58).
REF: John Glavey (Aghamore)
