Ballinagar can break new ground as Leinster semi looms

In contrast to Ballinagar, a club that are operating at previously unknown levels relative to their history, Ellistown are a side on the rebound, having been relegated from the intermediate grade in Kildare a year ago.

Four-time senior champions, twice while operating under the magnificent moniker of the Mountrice Blounts, they’ve relied heavily on their ability to dog out tough games through the latter part of this year, winning their last three knockout matches by 2-8 to 1-9, 0-5 to 0-4 and 0-12 to 0-11.

Given the cold and wintry conditions that are likely to prevail at the weekend, another tight encounter is likely.

Ballinagar are likely to find it difficult to continue their current rich vein of scoring form, having registered 2-33 in the last two games. Instead, they may need one of their mercurial attacking talents to create a goal out of nothing to pull them through.

Like Tullamore in the Leinster senior semi-final, Ballinagar will start as underdogs – but unlike the town side, bridging the gap is well within their grasp, and this writer suspects that they might yet be the feelgood story of the weekend.

AIB Leinster Club Junior Football Championship semi-finals - (Saturday, November 23)

Glenisk O’Connor Park (1.30pm) Ballinagar (Offaly) v Ellistown (Kildare), James Foley.

Páirc Tailteann (1.30pm) Dunsany (Meath) v Kilcavan (Laois), Ian Howley.