Sarsfields snatch points to break Ballinrobe hearts
Ardnaree’s Jason Crean offloads the ball as Ballinrobe’s Sean Flannery closes in. Pictures: David Farrell Photography
A remarkable comeback from Ardnaree saw them edge in front of Ballinrobe as late as they possibly could, Nathan Roddy’s remarkable two-point free in added time giving Ardnaree their first lead in the 61 minutes played to that point.
Seven points down just ten minutes in. Five points down at half-time. One point down with 60 seconds remaining but most importantly, two points up when the clock struck zero.
Ballinrobe looked incredibly dangerous in the opening exchanges of this crucial group one clash, Ryan Corcoran delivering a goal just two minutes in after a lovely delivery by Evan O’Brien, which was followed up by a stunning Kevin Quinn two-pointer from the left wing.
Cathal Noone opened the scoring ledger for Ardnaree but was hit back by Liam Burke of Ballinrobe after a great carry of the ball through the defence. A John Timlin point followed but Ardnaree were still yet to shift out of first gear, while it felt like Ballinrobe had started the game in sixth.
A second goal came courtesy of O’Brien, the provider of the first. A looped ball into the Ardnaree area was not claimed by Ronan Connolly in the Ardnaree net and among a sea of bodies, O’Brien got there first with his fist.
With work to do to cut the gap, Ardnaree got on their way with a two-point free from Ethan Convey but even that was matched as Quinn scored a carbon-copy of his first two pointer cutting in from the left to keep his side ahead by seven.
Not to be deterred, Jonathan Doherty and Nathan Roddy both landed exceptional two-pointers for the hosts in a frantic first quarter, which settled in pace after Ardnaree cut the Ballinrobe lead to three. Conor Jennings and Ewan Duffy both picked up points for the visitors to leave them with a five-point advantage at half-time.
In the second period, Doherty and Timlin used their pace to get by their markers and land points that once again got the home side within three. A clever dummy by Duffy that gave him space close to goal got Ballinrobe their first score of the second half and Kevin Quinn had to turn and fire over when he received the ball with his back to goal moments later.
Points from Timlin, Convey and a double from Noone dragged Ardnaree to within just two points as all Ballinrobe can muster in reply is a point from Jennings. A central free was fired over by Convey, halving the deficit and raising the tension around the ground. Kevin Quinn replied with a curling point from the right flank that barely snuck inside the right post but Convey was on hand once more to bring the Ballinrobe lead to one point.
Liam Burke seemed to have the win secured with his outrageously skilful swerving two-pointer on the edge of the arc, as Ardnaree were now down by three with five left to play.
From the bench Peter Timlin set up Convey for an easy score after his dart down the right flank, Convey also did similar from the left side after Dylan Sweeney made excellent ground.
With the game entering added time, upstepped Nathan Roddy to take a free on the edge of the two-point arc with the game hanging in the balance. The Merry Monk Ballina star delivered, and jubilation rang out among the home support, who were ecstatic when John Timlin wrapped it up with a breakaway fisted point.
