Denny Premier B 2013/14

Kerry District League
Monday 10-03-2014
Athletico Ardfert 2-0 Ballymac Galaxy

By Tommy Naughton

Athletico are now up to fourth place and just two points of a promotion spot with games in hand over all the teams above them thanks to this win.

Ballymac started this game the better and for the opening half an hour were well on top of the possession stakes but were left empty handed.

The first chance of the game fell to Larry Kelly and he might have actually scored had it not been for a reaction block by Shane Griffin.

The opening goal came in the fifteen minute when Ballymac lost the ball in midfield, Brian Maloney played the ball through in front of Mairtin Ferris. From just inside the box he controlled the ball with one touch and fired an unstoppable shot into the near top corner for a great finish.

Minutes Later Ferris nearly doubled Ardfert’s lead but shot over from just inside the penalty area. On the half hour mark John Casey came close to levelling matters but his long range effort was saved by Nicky Sullivan.

Galaxy were now pushing for the equalizer and Glenn McCarthy came close after Cathal De Lacey lifted the ball over the defence Glenn fired a low shot across the front of the goal and went wide of the far post.

Johnny McCarthy had the last chance of the half but headed wide from a Niall Kirwin cross.

Ballymac had the first chance of the second half but Glenn McCarthy’s effort was easily save by Sullivan.

Shane Griffin almost doubled Ardfert’s lead when he burst out of defence and hit a shot from 30 yards out the bounce narrowly wide of the post.

Ardfert doubled their lead just after the hour mark when Mairtin Ferris swung a cross in from the left wing that deceived everyone and found its way in to the back of the net.

Ballymac brought on young Cian O’Brien and the lively John Harmon as they went in search of a goal to get them back into the game. O’Brien had a good effort saved by O Sullivan but Ardfert were now happy to sit back and hit on the counter attack and had late chances from Mike Maloney and Mairtin Ferris to extend their lead but both failed to take advantage of the good chances they had.

Athletico Ardfert: Nicky o Sullivan , Martin Deady, Cian Dineen, Steven Power, Owen McCarthy, Shane Griffin, Denis Moriarty, Brian Maloney, Stephen Horan, Mairtin Ferris, Mike Mloney . Subs Joe Leen , Trevor Wallace, Seon Weir, Andy Valukonis .

Balllymac Galaxy: Paudie Laide, Larry Kelly, Owen Walsh, Tom Canty, Johnny McCarthy, Cathal de Lacey, John Csey, Paudie McCarthy, Niall Kirwin, Mikey Leen , Glen McCarthy . Subs ,Cian o Brien , John Harmon, Aidan Breen.