Rangers and Robesiders settle for share of the spoils
Conn Rangers' Tuan O’Horo tackles Liam Kilcullen while Ballinrobe Town teammate Jamie O'Donnell looks on. Pictures: John Corless
Conn Rangers had to settle for a draw against a dogged Ballinrobe Town side that picked up their first point of the season on Sunday at The Green. While the overall quality fluctuated at times, Rangers competed strongly throughout and created enough chances to feel they might have taken all three points.
Both sides were missing players, but Conn have had to cope with a shortage of numbers for much of the season and once again adapted as best they could. Owen McNamara, usually a centre back, lined out up front and responded with an excellent display that included the game’s opening goal.
Rangers started brightly and carried the greater threat during the opening half hour. Eoin Prendergast, Ronan Weir and Ronan Holmes all went close as the visitors pressed high and moved the ball with purpose. Their pressure was rewarded after 30 minutes when Mark McMahon delivered an inviting cross and McNamara timed his move perfectly to guide a neat header beyond the goalkeeper.
The goal was one of the better moments in a hard-fought contest and reflected Rangers’ positive approach during the opening stages. Ballinrobe responded with greater urgency and Liam Kilcullen, Eoin Langan and Ben Place all tested the Conn defence as the home side searched for an equaliser.
Ballinrobe eventually drew level shortly before the interval, though Rangers were unfortunate with the manner of the goal. Under pressure from Kilcullen and the returning Danny O’Toole, Cormac Reape inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net.
The second half developed into an open and energetic contest, with both teams sensing the opportunity to claim victory. Ballinrobe went ahead on 58 minutes when Kilcullen rose well to head home Rosado Da Costa’s cross, but Rangers responded impressively.
Prendergast brought Conn level after his initial shot was blocked by Ballinrobe goalkeeper Paul Tiernan, but the Rangers captain reacted quickest and forced home the rebound.
Rangers continued to push for a winner during the closing stages. Weir, Holmes and McNamara all threatened as the visitors looked dangerous on the break and from wide areas. At the other end, Ballinrobe also had opportunities through Da Costa, Ben Place, Seán Vahey and Kilcullen in an end-to-end finish.
Neither side could find a decisive third goal and the draw was probably the fairest outcome. From a Conn Rangers perspective, though, there was plenty to admire in a committed display from a side continuing to battle through difficult circumstances.
Eoin Prendergast, the Rangers captain, described it as a “very back-and-forth kind of game.” He said a draw was probably a fair result.
“Not a great one for the spectator, I suppose,” he said. “It was a battle, really. Both teams put in a lot of effort, battled everywhere on the pitch. There wasn't a lot of passing moves going on. It was a lot of hitting the ball up high, kind of trying to get in behind. Both teams tried to use the wind in their respective halves to advantage.
Prendergast added: “It's not been a smooth season so far for us. We've had a lot of key players injured, players back and then gone again from injuries. We have to keep the heads down, try and keep strong. We need the players that are out to be back very soon, hopefully. We're hopeful, but we'll see how it goes. We'll have to keep pushing, keep trying.
“There's a lot of lads that want to play in the parish, but maybe we're lacking a bit of quality from the A's and the B's. The numbers aren't there necessarily, but the C team have good numbers. It's just a matter of trying to develop more players and getting them up into the likes of the A or the B team.”
Ballinrobe coach Pat O'Sullivan was pleased to get the point. “Looking back on the game, we'd probably be disappointed,” he said. “We feel we could have nicked all three. It was a seriously competitive game. Conn Rangers had their chances as well, but I just thought maybe we might have nicked it.
“I think it was dogs of war stuff today. I think both sides went at it hammer and tongs. It was a really physical encounter. There were some really, really meaty challenges. We're fighting for our lives here and we had a very, very tough start to the season. This is our first point and we're off the mark now. We have to keep on going.”
Ballinrobe Town: Paul Tiernan; Liam O'Toole, Mairton Ferreira dos Santos, Gillen Jennings, Conor Keleghan, Ben Place, Rodrigo Rosado da Costa, Eoin Langan, Sean Vahey, Liam Kilcullen, Dylan O'Toole.
Subs: Rory O’Connell (for L O’Toole 50), Jamie O’Donnell (for Langan 56), Mohamed Abdouni (for Place 84), Ross Philbin (for D O’Toole 88).
Conn Rangers: Brian McMahon; Mark McMahon, Tuan O'Horo, Chris Moore, Cormac Reape, Mikey Lowther, Ronan Holmes, Ronan Weir, Eoin Prendergast, Owen McNamara, Matthew Neary.
REF: Tom Jennings.
