On a damp Saturday morning Ballyhar travelled to Camp for what turned out to be a very eventful match.

Following some early exchanges where Camp were moving the ball well, the game got its opening goal following a decisive run from the Camp forward who managed to dribble into the Ballyhar box and slotted home. 1-0 After this the game settled into a pattern of who wants it more, with both teams attacking at every opportunity. This made for a pulsating game where there was no rest for either team.

Ballyhar began to take control in the middle of the park with Jack Duggan and Ruairi Casey in the thick of the action. On the wings Thomas Flatherty and Brian McMahon were putting in a hard shift both going forward and tracking back against the pacy Camp wingers. Up front Darragh McLaughlin and Tomás Bolger were working hard and chasing down every ball acting as a first line of defence.

The Ballyhar defence of silky smooth Liam Smyth, rock solid captain Lorcan O'Mahony as well as the vocal, in control Ollie Kirwan and always reliable Ciaran Ferris were dealing with the camp attack who were looking to unlock the Ballyhar backline with through balls.

It was one of these though balls that led to a game changing moment …
A long fast ball cut through a narrow gap in the heart of the Ballyhar defence, keeper Adam Quirke who was quick off his line and about to clear the ball lost his footing as a result of the muddy underfoot conditions. With the oncoming striker about to pounce, Quirke had no choice but to heroically throw himself on the ball to save a certain goal. Unfortunately it was deemed that he had used his hands, and by the letter of the law meant a red card followed and Ballyhar could make no complaints. Quirke was gutted but his action was selfless and brave.
As a result of the sending off a reshuffle was needed and in stepped Evan Greensmyth with Brian McMahon being sacrificed to allow the keeper replacement. The resulting free kick was blazed wide and Ballyhar hearts could settle as half time approached.
H/T 1-0

The halftime team talk set out a new plan for the 10 men in blue, and they returned to the pitch like men on a mission. The solid defending and hard work continued and eventually was rewarded when Duggan chased down a seemingly lost cause into the Camp box, only to be knocked off the ball and awarded a penalty. He dusted himself down and confidently smashed home the equaliser. 1-1
Next up was Ruairi Casey who took the ball in the centre circle and sliced through the Camp defence passing 3 maybe 4 defending players as he burst into the box to poke home the lead goal for the visiting team. 1-2

However, as a result of relentless Camp pressure and  being down to 10, the Ballyhar midfield and defence were under the cosh and despite numerous saves from Greensmyth in goals, the inevitable happened when a Camp through ball found the striker onside to slot passed the onrushing Greensmyth.

The game finished 2-2 and Ballyhar will have to be happy with a point after coming through a tough battle and playing  most of the game with 10 men. The hard work and desire from the Ballyhar team was something to be praised.