We made the short journey to Multyfarnham on Sunday to take on Ballynacargy in the final group game of the Junior Championship. Having lost our four previous games we knew that we were facing a relegation game regardless of the result, but the lads were determined to finish with a positive result and through sheer grit and determination, they did just that, to come away with a 1:12 to 1:09 victory.
A key feature of the game was that both teams struggled to take full advantage of the strong wind blowing down to the community centre end. Bun had the aid of the elements in the first half but it was Ballynacargy who had the better start. They led 1:02 to no score after 15 minutes while Bun had a number of efforts just wide.
Darragh Lyons got Bun off the mark with a two pointed effort after brilliant work by Train Leslie to force a turnover. Caolan Fulham then hit a monster score from 50 metres to give the team a real lift. Bun were starting to have plenty of possession and when they were awarded another free from just inside the arc, some quick thinking saw the free played short back to Aidan Finnan who kicked another excellent two pointer to bring the score to 0:07 to 1:02.
Ballyncargy responded well to Bun’s purple patch and were awarded a penalty when one of their forwards was adjudged to have been fouled in the square after a fine move from them. Tommy Murphy, in his third decade playing adult football for Bun, produced one of the finest penalty saves you will see in a football match. The finely struck penalty was heading for the top corner but Murphy got across expertly to turn it around the post. This save was a huge moment in the game and he really kept us in the match.
Caloan Fulham kicked another fine point from play after more great work from Trian Leslie. When Ballynacargy pushed forward again they almost had another goal but Conor Newman expertly stopped the ball on the line and got the ball to safety. It was a crucial piece of defending and like the penalty save from Murphy, would prove crucial at the end. Despite being only two points up at half time after playing with a strong wind, Bun were getting to the pitch of the game and starting to win their individual battles. Enda Newman typified this all action display and he won numerous turnovers throughout the first half.
Ballynacargy, like the first half, started strongly and kicked the opening score. Bun settled and started to control the ball much better. This patient play resulted in a point for Aidan Finnan who made a great run through the centre. A pair of Ballynacargy points brought the gap back to one point before Caolan Fulham kicked another great point from play after some good play from Barry O Mara and Ken Conroy.
Conroy was creator again when he set up Trian Leslie for a great point from play before Leslie and O Mara combined expertly to set up Caolan Fulham who powefully finished to the net to extend Bun’s lead to five. Conroy then followed this up with a great run through the centre to set up Mark Donnelly for a point from play. Fulham then stretched the lead to seven with another fine effort.
Ballyncargy hit the last two scores of the game, both two pointed frees, to leave three points between the sides in injury time. Robbie Cornally sounded the full time whistle and Bun recorded a three point win. This was an important win for the lads and they will take confidence from it heading into the relegation game against Moate which is potentially next weekend. There were strong performances throughout the field and it was a real panel effort to get over the line. Tommy Murphy’s save will live long in the memory of those present and it was a fitting reward for a man that has given sterling service to the club for a long number of years.
Team: Tommy Murphy, Conor Newman, Simon Moorehead, Eoin McGowan, Matthew Hope, John Kiernan, Gavin Lyons, Enda Newman, Aidan Finnan, Luke Kiernan, Ken Conroy, Trian Leslie, Caolan Fulham, Brian Maguire & Darragh Lyons. Subs: Mark Donnelly for G. Lyons, Barry O Mara for B. Maguire, Gordon Medforth for D. Lyons, Finian Newman for C. Newman, Cian Tighe for K. Conroy, Dave Newman, Ronan Scally, Andy Whitney, Paul Connaughton & Brian McGowan
