Fixtures & Results 2013 - IFC

The pair have been no strangers to one another in the past couple of years, where a rivalry has formed and this no love-loss between one another was evident from start to finish. Both teams progressed into this year’s quarter finals having won their previous games, quite unconvincingly and this tie of the two arguable favourites for the championship, allowed critics to be answered.

The St Mary’s side prevailed from the tie and did so by the slimmest of margins, winning by one point. An intense match of football was on show as both side’s defensive structures proved difficult to penetrate in a game where there were a number of mistakes and uncharacteristic errors.

It was the Rasharkin men’s ability to claim a majority of possession and make the most of their scoring opportunities which saw them progress from the tie. Ballymena will be disappointed with their distribution of the ball and the amount of unforced errors which they committed on the night.

Rasharkin enjoyed more possession and justifiably led by four points to one after ten minutes of football. Yet against the run of play it must be said the All Saints staged a dramatic turn around when they struck with a goal and an additional point to lead on the twenty minute mark. Rasharkin only scored one additional point in the last twenty minutes of football, as they hit six wides in the half. Ballymena notched up their missed chances to five, yet kicked a further two points giving them a lead of 1-04 to 0-05 at the interval.

A better showing in the second period from the Dreen men ensured their progression, as they registered a further 1-04, compared to Ballymena who only managed 1-01. The shortage in scoring reflects the trouble which forward lines experienced on the day and the lack of clinical finishing which was on show.

Both sides will feel they never really got going during the game, as periods of scoring were followed by mistakes and adding to a wides tally which continued throughout the game.

Ballymena got off to a flyer when they registered the first score of the tie in the opening minute. From the throw up the town men secured possession and targeted Liam Cassley who got out ahead of his man before being hacked down 25 yards from goal. This gave corner forward Peter McReynold’s the opportunity to open the scoring, which he duly obliged, kicking a fine score from the ground.

Rasharkin kicked a number before they got on the score sheet, thanks to key marksman Johnny McAleese who opened the scoring from the dead ball five minutes into the game.

St Mary’s at this stage were enjoying possession as they secured the ball in the midfield and moved well in order to create opportunities. They demonstrated great footballing quality for their next scores, as they went onto register the next three points on the trot. Paul Doherty hit the first of these putting his side back in the lead, following an excellent team score where the ball was worked from the defence, before finding its way to the county representative who composed himself to split the posts. Brendan Etherson soon doubled their lead when he was sharpest to the ball, after it cannoned off the upright from Eamon McNeill’s long range effort.

Rasharkin were playing with a spring in their step and they demonstrated their determination to win when they turned the ball over in Ballymena’s half, to allow McAleese to add to his tally before the twelve minute mark, putting Rasharkin three points up.

Ballymena were dealt a serious blow at this stage when the lost a vital player in Sean McVeigh who had to be withdrawn due to a groin strain, which was sustained prior to the match, and was replaced by Sean McCambridge. All hope was not lost though as in fact they went on the ascendancy at ended their thirteen minute gap in scoring through another free after Paddy Logan was hauled down. Damien Kelly applied the finishing touch and despatched the resulting free easily.

A five minute period of intense tackling and wasted chances ensued before the next score of the game, which came the way of the town men. A delightful Conor Crilly pass threaded through the Rasharkin defence put Liam Cassley in on goal and the sharp attacker was not going to miss from this range as he lifted the net in the twenty first minute. Rasharkin’s dominance and hard work had been cancelled out in this single move as the All Saints took a one point lead.

St Mary’s response was immediate as from the resulting kick out, the ball was worked towards Ryan Lynch who showed great strength before clipping over the equalising point. This though was their last score of the half as All Saints finished in a flurry. Damien Kelly surged forward to put his side ahead, before Peter McReynold’s gave them a two point advantage, after he was found by Rory McVeigh, leaving the score line at the interval 1-04 to 0-05.

Rasharkin came out the second half looking to make amends for their poor showing in the first, where they were wasteful, and did so brilliantly when they took the opening score through Ryan Lynch. The wing half forward added to his tally, after he plucked the ball from the sky from Paul Doherty’s towering kick, and calmly slotted over to cut the deficit to one.

The game remained in the balance at this stage at this stage as neither side was able to break the deadlock, as defences and keepers remained strong. Rasharkin went close to getting a goal of their own in the thirty ninth minute, but unfortunately substitute Jarleth Mooney, saw his effort saved by the commanding hand of Paul McCann. Ballymena were putting up a valiant effort defensively at this stage as they worked tirelessly to get back and put pressure on the opposing forwards, who continued to see their wides tally rise.

Ballymena could also have stretched their lead further had it not been for Ryan Doherty, who stood up well to prevent Liam Cassley getting a second goal in the forty third minute. Both sides were getting increasingly frustrated as the football on show did not improve.

It took fourteen minutes before Johnny McAleese finally broke the gap in scoring in the forty eighth minute which ignited a spark for the remaining twelve minutes. A score of great of quality was engineered from the back as McAleese took control of the ball and swung over a fine score.

Ballymena responded to this with their first of the half, twenty minutes in, through Liam Cassley who won possession from the kick out and skipped away to split the posts.

Following this Rasharkin took the game by the scruff of the neck and didn’t relent until they forced their way into the lead. The introduction of Enda McFerran proved to be a stroke of genius, as he proved why he should be a regular starter. The youngster hit a point soon after his introduction where he worked well in starting and finishing the score. His long kick found Eamon McNeill who held up play long enough to return the pass, allowing McFerran to land a great score.

Provider McNeill turned scorer when he struck the goal that was the turning point in the match. The goal came fifty two minutes into the game, when Benny Hasson’s long free found Johnny McAleese, who offloaded to McNeill on the run and the attacker didn’t stop until blasting a powerful finish ripping the Ballymena net.

A terrific turnaround which saw Rasharkin lead by three, who soon increased this to four, when McFerran added to his tally stroking over the insurance point in the fifty fourth minute.

Added drama was to come as the ball went from one end to the other. Following Paul Doherty’s goal miss, the ball didn’t stop until it was the Rasharkin net, as Ballymena hit their second goal of the game before the sixty minute mark. Paddy Logan knowing at this stage only a goal will do, lumped in a high threatening ball, which eventually fell to the feet of Rory McVeigh, who couldn’t believe his luck as he struck home with great effect.

A nervy finish ensued at Clooney as last ditch defending was on show from Rasharkin as Ballymena eventually failed in their attempts to grab a late equaliser, with the affair ending and the score line reading 1-09 to 2-05

Ballymena will be frustrated with the loss as chances were there to take the victory. Rasharkin now progress where although they have not played their best football, they still find themselves in the semi-finals where they have every hope of attaining their fourth Intermediate Championship crown and second in four years.