Ballynanty earn huge win against Fairview Rangers

Ballynanty Rovers continued their unbeaten start to the season with an impressive 2-1 victory over Fairview Rangers at the Fairgreen on Thursday evening.

Fairview came out of the blocks quicker and Daragh Rainsford had an effort which was pushed away by the visiting goalkeeper Stephen McNamara.

With Adrian Power playing up front on his own with the pacey duo of Barry Quinn and Dylan Higgins flanking him, it was clear that Ballynanty intended to absorb pressure while attempting to catch their hosts on the break.

They almost utilised McNamara’s long kick from his hands to great effect on two occasions but Barry Quinn was scuppered by the recovery of Jamie Enright. Despite dominating possession Fairview were struggling to create chances but former Ballynanty player Dermot Fitzgerald beat his marker at the front post from a corner but couldn’t direct the effort on target.

With two minutes remaining, Donal Magee’s side took the lead against the run of play when new signing Jordan Boland scored his first goal for the club with a glancing header from a Derek Daly corner.

At the beginning of the second half, Jason Purcell made two changes in a bid to get back on level terms with the introduction of Jason Lipper and AJ O’Connor in place of Adam Frahill and James Fitzgerald.

Outside of a couple of shots from distance through Rainsford, Fairview looked bereft of ideas as they struggled to break down a stubborn and well organised rear-guard led by Daragh Hughes and Stephen McNamara. Although special mention must be reserved for Dan Lucey, Kenneth Meehan and Ryan Earls whose determination and attitude were second to none.

With 20 minutes remaining, Magee’s plan worked a treat as the lively Dylan Higgins was sent clear by Barry Quinn as Fairview struggled to recover from an attack, and the winger belied his years with a cool finish into the corner past the despairing Aaron Wall.

As the home side desperately pushed for a goal back, Ballynanty caught them on the break once more as Quinn released Power and the former ‘Boro man looked certain to score when one on one with Wall, but the former St. Michaels netminder thwarted him.

The Fairgreen outfit introduced Paul Danaher late on in search of a more direct approach as Danaher has caused Ballynanty problems in the past Danaher, a centre-back by trade, was fielded up top and the move bore fruit with five minutes remaining as the former Limerick FC man latches on to a flick on by Jason Lipper to tap home from close range, despite protests of offside from the visiting side-line.

At the death, Fairview stalwart Jeffrey Judge capitalised on nervy defending at the back post but blasted a shot into the side netting from close range in what proved to be the last chance of the night. Having had their title chances ended at the Fairgreen last season, the victory was certainly sweet for Magee and assistant Tom Daly who along with a vocal support, were visibly ecstatic with the win.

Fairview Rangers: Aaron Wall, Brian Fitzgerald (Paul Danaher), Mark Slattery, Dermot Fitzgerald, Jamie Enright, Jeffrey Judge, Adam Frahill (AJ O’Connor), James Fitzgerald (Jason Lipper), Daragh Rainsford, Ross Mann, Eddie Byrnes (Ger Barry)

Ballynanty Rovers: Stephen McNamara, Dan Lucey, Kenneth Meehan, Daragh Hughes, Ryan Earls, TJ O’Dwyer, Jordan Boland, Dylan Higgins, Derek Daly (Kevin Nolan), Barry Quinn, Adrian Power