Ballyhar hosted Killarney Athletic on Saturday morning at Murt Scott Park in trying conditions. Playing with a strong wind in the 1st half, Ballyhar settled well and went into an early lead after just 2 mins. Ryan Vickers, working hard down the left, put in a cross to the back post which was finished home well by Diarmuid Casey. Shortly after, the lead was doubled, when an assist from Addy Nolan, saw Alex Finn get his 1st of the day on 7 minutes. Ballyhar were playing well, but conscious of playing with the conditions, needed to make it count. They went 3 nil up on 20 minutes when Alex Finn fed Dylan Fitzgerald whose shot found the roof of the Athletic net. Ballyhar looked to be in control but unfortunately switched off and gave a good Athletic side a way back into the game. After losing possession in midfield, Athletic broke quickly and finished well to beat Jamie O'Brien in goals. Then within minutes after the restart Athletic worked the ball down the left wing and a rash challenge led to a penalty being given which was finished to the net to make it 3:2 to Ballyhar at halftime.
Playing with the strong wind in second half Athletic really grew into the game and put Ballyhar under a lot more pressure. The back four had to dig deep and defended resolutely and were helped by an excellent save by Jamie O'Brien. As an Athletic forward broke in off the left and found himself one on one with the stand-in keeper, he looked to put the ball past the keepers left, only for O'Brien to push the ball out for an excellent save to deny him. Ballyhar continued to look threatening on the break and after a trough ball played up the left wing by Calum Templeman, Ryan Vickers latched onto the pass and rifled a shot low into the bottom right-hand corner to make it 4:2 to Ballyhar.
Fresh legs were sprung from the bench as Ballyhar continued to work devilishly all over the field as Athletic continued to create chances. They were threatening from set pieces all morning and got more than a little help from the elements on 55 mins when a free kick was awarded down the right wing just a few feet in from the line. They whipped an excellent ball into the box which floated all the way to the back post, hit the woodwork and then went in off the back of a Ballyhar defender to make it 4-3.Then the game took another major turn when Ballyhar broke through Ryan Vickers who found himself one on one with the advancing Athletic keeper. He tried to play the ball over the keeper who unfortunately handled outside the box giving the ref no option but to send him off, putting Athletic down to 10 players for the final few minutes. Athletic were not finished though and continued to force the matter and equalised from another set piece. This time it was a corner swung in from the left and in the trying conditions went straight in to make it 4-4. Ballyhar needed to push on and take advantage of the extra man and with 5 minutes of ordinary time remaining Ryan Vickers put a cross in from the left to the back post which was controlled well by Adam O'Meara who squared the ball across for Alex Finn to slot home the winner.
Thanks to Athletic for a sporting and exciting game in trying conditions. On a day when all players got game time and played exceptionally well, best for Ballyhar were Alex Finn, Daire Cornally, Adam Fleming and man of match Calum Templeman. Also special mention to Jamie O'Brien who was excellent as stand in goalie.