Locals almost cause upset at Ballyholland

Ballyholland 2-19

Tullylish 4-7

TULLYLISH Seniors almost pulled off the shock of the season with a spirited performance against joint Division Two leaders Ballyholland.

Tullylish drove at Ballyholland from the throw in with Pete Quinn matching the first point of the game from the home side.

Sheer hard work on and off the ball at every position on the field resulted in opportunity and Tullylish made the most of them – James McDermott hustled the ball off a Ballyholland half back and found Davy Corbett who flicked the pass on to a runninng McAreavey who smacked it into the back of the net.

Tullylish supporters were on their feet one minute later when McAreavey was on the end of another goal chance and he rattled the back of the net once more to give Tullylish a six point lead.

Ballyholland then went into a frenzy of football and were denied any shots on goal by a determined full back line of Kevin McKivergan, Barry Priestly and Ronan Barry.

Six points from play in succession by the home side made a sizeable dent in the Tullylish lead but the visitors had plenty of fight left – Tullylish midfield duo Murphy and Johnston competed for every ball and did not allow any freedom for their counterparts.

When Gareth Johnston clawed a high ball out of the sky he found Pete Quinn in a strong position in front of the square and he sent the ball into the back of the net to keep Tullylish in contention.

Kevin Murphy surged forward with a breaking ball, was fouled and the resultant free kick was secured by Shannon Drainey to give Tullylish the lead for the second time.

Ballyholland went on the rampage again and a goal mouth scramble resulted in a lucky goal and the lead for the home side going into the changing room at half time.

The second half was another scoring bonanza and another terrific half of footabll.

The lead see sawed from Tullylish to Ballyholland with neither side prepared to give way.

Progressive play from Tullylish corner back Rony Barry found James McDermott, Kevin McCartan and then it was Pete Quinn who smacked the ball into the back of the Ballyholland net to the cheers of the away support.

Play rocketed from one end of the pitch to the other with points being scored in quick succession. Tullylish matched every score courtesy of McAreavey, Drainey, Quinn and O'Hare but the final nail on the coffin was a Ballyholland goal close to full time.

On any other day four goals and seven points should have secured a win but unfortunately it was points and not goals that won the day.

Tullylish have got to be more than satisfied with this spirited team effort and have proved that they are as good as the best in Division Two. This attitude will stand them in good stead for the next crucial stage of the season.

Tullylish: Steven O'Hare, Kevin McKivergan, Barry Priestly, Ronan Barry, Michael McCartan, Conor McManus, Seamus O'Hare, Gareth Johnston, Kevin Murphy, James McDermott, Pete Quinn, Kevin McCartan, John McAreavey, Davy Corbett, Shannon Drainey, Justin McCartan, Eamon Morgan.