Ballela Camogs reach Ulster semi final

Ballela 2-9 Aghagallon 3-5
Ballela senior camogs (Ulster Championship).Ballela senior camogs (Ulster Championship).
Ballela senior camogs (Ulster Championship).

Ballela Camogs set up an Ulster Club Senior semi-final with Antrim kingpins Loughgeil, with a win over Aghagallon.

The Down champions started off with all guns blazing and when Ciara Kearns burst through the Armagh team’s defence and planted the ball in the net after only two minutes it was the perfect start Ballela required.

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Aghagallon were playing with a sweeper which left Ballela with alot of outfield possession. But Ballela found their keeper in top form first she saved from Ciara Magee and then from sister Orla which resulted in Ciara McCusker knocking over two 45 metre frees to put Ballela 5 up after 10 minutes.

Aghagallon were dangerous on the break and forced Ballela to concede 2 frees which they pointed.

Right half forward Hannah Malone was set up by Mary O’Hare who scored a super point from play.

An other great move was set up by full back Catherine O’Hare to Ciara Kearns who placed Orla Magee through for a well taken point. The down side were in control at halftime leading 1-6 to 0-2.

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The second half started again with the Armagh team’s defence packed but at last from a long ball in from Lisa McCusker found Ciara Magee who got away from her to markers and scored from 20 meters out to put Ballela 10 points up.

Two more pointed frees from Aghagallon closed the gap to 8.

Two more points from the hard working captain Ciara McCusker and a point from Sinead McAvoy put Ballela 2-9 to 0-5 ahead with six minutes remaining.

A long free in from midfield some how found the Ballela net and this seemed to lift Aghagallon.

Two minutes later a strong run from their midfield player was not stopped and she found the net from 20 metres out.

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In the last minute Aghagallon scored their third goal but with time up, Ballela held on to win.

Manager Bernard McCusker said: “Things got scary in the last five minutes. We were in complete control and took our foot off the gas and you can’t afford that at this level in Ulster.

“We are happy enough with the way it went, a few of the subs got a run out which is vitally imported for the whole panel and team. We are looking forward to the semi final this Sunday at 1.30pm in Loughgiel as our senior hurlers are on after us 3.30pm, we would ask everyone to come along and support the teams.”

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