Second half goals crucial as Ballyroan-Abbey reach JFC semi final

St Joseph’s 0-6 Ballyroan-Abbey 3-8
Laois JFC Quarter-final

Three second half goals were crucial for Ballyroan-Abbey as they got the better of St Joseph’s in atrocious conditions in Kellyville this afternoon.

Trailing by two points at half time, Stephen Thompson, Eoghan Whelan and Alan Burnell all raised green flags in the second half to turn the game in their favour a seal a semi final spot.

We had to wait 11 minutes for the game’s first attacking action as Ian Shanahan set up Jamie Kelly but Ballyroan-Abbey keeper Colm Lalor pulled off a great save.

And it was Ballyroan-Abbey who opened the scoring via Stephen Thompson after 13 minutes. A Dan Dunne free levelled matters at the water break and the home side got on top after that.

Centre back Cathal Fleming popped up with a great score from distance while Dunne added three more – including two excellent points from play.

Fionn Scully and Liam Delaney replied for Ballyroan-Abbey but St Joseph’s led 0-5 to 0-3 at half time.

The game turned on its head though within six minutes of the restart. Ballyroan got their first goal in the second minute of it as Liam Delaney and Colin Kinsella combined to set up Stephen Thompson to score.

Liam Delaney and Dylan Cuddy added points and all of a sudden Ballyroan led by three points.

Dan Dunne replied with a free after 40 minutes but that would prove to be the home side’s only score of the second half.

James McWey landed a brace for Ballyroan-Abbey who led 1-7 to 0-6 at the second water break.

Liam Delaney kicked his third of the afternoon on the resumption of play and Ballyroan finished the game with two great goals.

The first came from Eoghan Whelan who pinged an unstoppable effort from the 21 into the top corner of the net.

And then in the final minute a long Dylan Cuddy pass was fisted into the onion sack by Alan Burnell to leave 11 between them at the finish.

They will now advance to play Park-Ratheniska in the semi final.

SCORERS: St Joseph’s: Dan Dunne 0-5 (three frees), Cathal Fleming 0-1, Ballyroan-Abbey: Stephen Thompson 1-1, Eoghan Whelan and Alan Burnell 1-0 each, Liam Delaney 0-3, James McWey 0-2 (one free), Fionn Scully (free), Dylan Cuddy 0-1 each

ST JOSEPH’S: Ray Kealy; Mark George, Paddy Fleming, Robbie Langton; Daire Lacey, Cathal Fleming, Jamie Kelly; Bernard Wheatley, Noel Leech; Eoin Cahill, Ian Shanahan, Niall Brennan; Ciaran Condron, Dan Dunne, David Brennan. Subs: Enda Butler for Condron (27), James Michael Fleming for Leech (43), Stephen McDonnell for Brennan (45), David Shortall for Langton (53), Tommy Knowles for Lacey (58)

BALLYROAN-ABBEY: Colm Lalor; Conaire Gee, Cillian McEvoy, Eamonn Fitzpatrick; Jamie Bartley, Fionnan Mahoney, Barry Walsh; Liam Delaney, James McWey; Dylan Cuddy, Stephen Thompson, Fionn Scully; Eoghan Whelan, Alan Burnell, Colin Kinsella. Subs: Rody McEvoy for Kinsella (50)

Referee: Joe Brennan (Crettyard)

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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/10/04/second-half-goals-crucial-as-ballyroan-abbey-reach-jfc-semi-final/