THE NEALE 1–08 V BALLYHAUNIS 1—08 CHALLENGE
A draw was a fair result in this hard fought encounter played in Cong in glorious sunshine last Saturday evening. Pat Casey opened the scoring with a well taken point and shortly afterwards Neil Varley fisted a fine goal after a good ball in from Brian O’ Connell. Ballyhaunis opened there account with a pointed free. The Neale were completely on top now and Simon Ryan added to there tally with a two well taken points (1 free) and a good individual point from Paddy Hopkins to leave the Neale 1—04 to 0–01 ahead at the end of the first quarter. The Neale introduced James Fahy and Michael Lynagh for Simon Ryan and Robert Holian ( both injuried) At this stage there was a lull in the scoring and Ballyhaunis’s Niall Prenty had the last say of the half with a point to leave the half time score the Neale1—04 , Ballyhaunis 0—02.
Ballyhaunis opened the scoring in the second half when Ciaran Gallagher got on the end of a flowing move. Paddy Hopkins scored three points (1 free) to push the home side 1—07 to 0—03 ahead with twenty minutes remaining. Neil O’ Brien replaced Neil Varley and the Neale also lost there influential midfielder Eoin Hughes because of injury. From here to the finish Ballyhaunis took over and scored 1—05 on the bounce to lead for the first time with time running out. However Hopkins was to have the last say with a point from an acute angle to leave the scores level at the final whistle. Best on the evening for the Neale were Padraig Mc Grath, John Heskin, Pat Casey, Brian O’ Connell, Eoin Hughes and Mike Fleming.
The team are away to Parke next Sunday @ 14.30 pm.
