Ballynanty and Fairview share the spoils

Ballynanty Rovers and Fairview Rangers played out an entertaining 2-2 draw this morning at Limerick Institute of Technology. Arron Nunan and Kevin Nolan were on the scoresheet for the home side while AJ O’Connor and Robbie Kelleher accounted for the Fairview goals. It was a game where set pieces proved vital. 

Balla missed the opportunity to significantly close the gap on leaders Pike Rovers and overtake Janesboro into second place as a result. Both sides have become familiar with each other in recent weeks as they have met on two separate occasions in cup competitions with penalties separating them in the Touhy Cup and the odd goal in the FAI Junior Cup.

Fairview started brightly and took an early lead as AJ O’Connor powered home a header from an outswinging free-kick delivery which just evaded the fingers of Stephen McNamara. Ballynanty responded well and winger Derek Daly was causing problems on the left hand side but a combination of poor luck and a lack of anticipation meant that a number of crosses travelled across the six yard box without a touch.

Centre-back Kenneth Meehan let fly following Fairview’s failure to clear a corner but a crucial block prevented the ball from hitting the net. Shortly afterwards, Daly was again involved as a clearance fell to the edge of the box but the winger’s sweet strike flew just wide of Barry Ryan’s post. 

With under ten minutes remaining until half time, the home side’s pressure paid off as Arron Nunan applied the finish from a dangerous low cross. Donal Magee’s side were in the ascendancy at the start of the second half and striker Kevin Nolan headed home from a Daly free-kick.  For the next 15 minutes, the northsiders were comfortable and it looked like a victory was inevitable.

However, disaster struck when Liam Byrnes contested with Dan Lucey in the air and the ball fell to Robbie Kelleher at the edge of the box and the former Limerick FC and Shamrock Rovers player reeled back the years with a fine strike into the bottom corner of the net.

In truth, it was Jason Purcell’s team who came closest to a winner as the lively Ross Mann was played through on goal but his effort went just wide from a tight angle, much to the relief of the home support. Kelleher also came close to adding a third goal but it looked as though McNamara had his strike covered. 

As the final whistle went, the frustration of the Ballynanty players was clear to see. Despite only losing once in the league and dropping just four points, Pike’s lead will be tough to claw back although there is a long way to go.