Ballinagar bid to cap memorable season with Leinster crown

By Kevin Egan

There is a trend emerging in 2024 when it comes to Ballinagar. A case could be made to say that their first round win over Raheen was one of the most significant days in the club’s history, given the local connotations.

When it came to the intermediate championship semi-final against an in-form and hotly-fancied St Brigid’s team, one could argue that they needed one of the best performances and results that the club has ever had in order to advance, and they got it.

Against a resurgent Raheen in the final, they had to go one better again. Ballon of Carlow weren’t able to contain their attacking power, but getting past Wolfe Tones required them to find another bit of improvement, and they did, and the same applied last Saturday when they defeated Ellistown of Kildare.

That’s four tight finishes in a row where Benny O’Brien’s charges have found a way to win, and four games where they’ve needed to eke out another little bit of improvement, and they’ve done that. When that keeps happening, it’s not a coincidence.

A little bit of luck came their way in O’Connor Park last weekend, absolutely. A heavy collision between Adam Strong and Ellistown centre-back Darragh Watson caused a lengthy delay – the Ballinagar midfielder was able to carry on and have a significant influence on the game, while Ellistown lost a key player. But ultimately, football throws up these swings and roundabouts and when it all came down to it, Ballinagar found a way.

Their defensive unit, with Diarmuid Finneran and Brian Malone excellent along the spine, held firm and got a lot of pressure on the opposition, which was a key factor in Ellistown accumulating nine wides over the course of the hour.

Robbie Gallagher has had easier days in front of goal, but he continued showing for the ball, looking to take responsibility, and three points (two from marks) proved to be a match-winning contribution. Above all, Morgan Tynan had perhaps his best game of the year at midfield, showing that he’s coming back to a level of form that would suggest that he has an important role to play with Offaly in 2025.

There was a time when Meath clubs dominated this competition. Between 2002 and 2011, Royal County clubs won eight out of ten Leinster junior championships, and while it’s not like that these days, they remain very competitive, with Castletown their most recent winners in 2022.

Dunsany have certainly had a kind run of fixtures this year, as they will complete their Leinster championship run without having to kick a ball outside of Páirc Tailteann. They looked to be in real trouble at half-time last weekend when they trailed Kilcavan by four points, and a local derby Leinster final was on the cards. However five points in seven minutes after half-time tipped the balance Dunsany’s way, and so it’s a trip to Páirc Tailteann, Navan for Ballinagar this Sunday (throw-in 1.30pm).

Unlike a lot of clubs that might normally make progress through winter games in this competition, Dunsany are an open, attacking side. Luke Horan and Jack Cottrell are exciting, dangerous corner-forwards; centre-forward Eoin Harkin has been called up to the Meath panel for next year; and James Cahill will attack from midfield.

For those looking for a more offence-focused game than a low scoring slugfest, this one could be well worth watching. In any case, Ballinagar have managed to do enough so many times now, that it would seem churlish to doubt their ability to do so again.