This was a game that many said never lived up to the billing, but the excitement that this game carried was second to none towards the finish, and it took a late Eoin Keane point to settle the game.
The Heath had dominated right through, and it looked at the break as though it would be an easy cruise to the steps of O’Moore Park to lift the cup, but a spirited rally by Ballyfin but a kick in the game, and it would remain one of the most memorable finishes to a Junior ‘A’ final.
Even though Eoin Keane landed the winner, there was a huge chunk of time left when the referee added on six minutes in which Ballyfin had three good chances to draw level, making use of none.
When The Heath’s key man, Barry McNamee got sent to the stand for two yellow cards within three minutes of each other, Ballyfin seemed to take encouragement and kick-started the comeback, and it looked like that dismissal could be the death of The Heath’s hopes.
A first have scoring spree which seen 1-5 clocked up for The Heath, with McNamee snatching the vital goal, and Ballyfin were left stunned with a scoreline 1-5 to 0-2 in favour of The Heath.
The Heath seemed to have leaders in every line, and it started at full-back with the inspirational captain David Bergin. A blend of youth and experience made The Heath a solid side, and it made them the overall better footballing side.
Ballyfin reeled them back within three, looking like a goal was their only hope and it was the Trumera hurler Cathal Brophy who answered their prayers with a nicely taken goal.
But it would be two wise head that would undo Ballyfin’s hard work, as the then 42 year-old Denis Lalor made the way for Eoin Keane to float over the winner and slashing Ballyfin’s hopes of claiming their second title.
SCORERS – THE HEATH: Barry McNamee 1-2, Nathan Carpenter 0-3, Eoin Keane, 0-1, Brian Murphy 0-1 BALLYFIN: James Finn 0-4, Cathal Brophy 1-1, John Joe McHugh 0-1.
THE HEATH: Andy Lambe; Billy Hennessy, David Bergin, Michael Lenihan; Conor Bergin, Emmett Ging, Bob Delaney; Donal Bigley, Denis Lalor; Padraig Whelan, Johnny Browne, Nathan Carpenter; Eoin Keane, Brian Murphy, Barry McNamee. Subs: Alan Bell, Mark Dowling, Enda Norton.
BALLYFIN: Ronan Culleton; Jimmy Croke, Matt Duff, Mick McHugh; Alan Strong, Eoin Dunphy, Dermot McGill; Damien Holohan, Gary Byrne; Ricky Quillinan, James Finn, Jason Horan; Donnacha Phelan, John Joe McHugh, Cathal Brophy. Subs: Peter Brophy, Joe Brophy, Paul Dunphy.
Referee: David Murphy (Portarlington)
Referee David Murphy in the middle for The Heath and Ballyfin in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Eoin Dunphy passes for Ballyfin while under pressure from Emmet Ging, The Heath in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Heath ‘keeper Andy Lambe clears against Ballyfin in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Ballyfin manager Liam Linden watches on against The Heath in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Jason Horan, Ballyfin tries to escape the clutches of Denis Lalor, The Heath in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Brian Murphy, The Heath on the attack against Alan Strong, Ballyfin in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Nathan Carpenter controls this ball for The Heath against Eoin Dunphy, Ballyfin in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Barry McNamee celebrates his goal for The Heath against Ballyfin in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Nerves of steel in the final minutes..Dan Keane patrols the line for The Heath against Ballyfin in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Denis Lalor sends this ball upfield for The Heath against Gary Byrne, Ballyfin in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Padraig Whelan on the attack for The Heath in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Former Heath and Laois senior footballer Denis Lalor calls for assistance in injury time affter giving it all in The Heath’s win over Ballyfin in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Referee David Murphy has words with Mick McHugh. Ballyfin and Donal Bigley, The Heath in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Cathal Brophy celebrates Ballyfin’s late goal against The Heath in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Damien Holohan, Ballyfin takes on Alan Bell and Michael Lenihan, The Heath in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Gary Byrne, Ballyfin is tackled by Donal Bigley, The Heath in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Jason Horan, Ballyfin contests this ball with Denis Lalor, The Heath in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.John Browne, The Heath breaks through the tackle of Eoin Dunphy, Ballyfin in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Heath who defeated Ballyfin in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Ballyfin who played The Heath in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Heath captain David Bergin is presented with the trophy by Laois GAA chairman Brian Allen after winning the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Man of the match Nathan Carpenter receives his award from Laois GAA PRO Paschal McEvoy after The Heath won the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Heath celebrate after winning the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.Ballyfin players plead with referee David Murphy in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Heath captain David Bergin raises the trophy after winning the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Heath celebrate after winning the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Heath celebrate after winning the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Heath celebrate after winning the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.The Heath celebrate after winning the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.John Joe McHugh on the attack for Ballyfin against The Heath in the Junior Football Final at O’Moore Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.
