BALLYNANTY Rovers picked up a narrow 1-2 victory over Mungret Regional in the Limerick District League Premier Division on Sunday morning. First half goals from Ger Higgins and Eddie Byrnes put the away side in the ascendancy but a Colm Barrett header in the second half made it interesting. The result means Balla maintain their early 100% record in the top flight.
Ballynanty manager Dave Dunphy made four changes to his team for the game with Michael Guerin, Arron Nunan, Liam Byrnes and Daragh Hughes being replaced by Thomas Byrnes, Pa Whelan, Ger Higgins and Seamus Maloney. Mungret manager Richie Burke made one change with striker Pa Ahern coming in for Kieran Long.
In the opening two minutes, there was a nasty collision involving Ballynanty midfielder Thomas Byrnes and the midfielder was replaced after suffering concussion. Club captain Dave Donnan entered the fray. It was the home side who fashioned the first chance of the game as Sean Eskennagha forced Jamie Stewart into a fine save from a free-kick.
John Connery responded for the visitors as he swiveled on the edge of the box before shooting straight at James Roche. Ballynanty took the lead when right wing-back Ger Higgins picked up possession on the edge of the box and cut inside Conor Myers before unleashing a superb curling effort into the top corner.
Shortly afterwards, they doubled their lead as a superbly waited flick on the half way line from Connery sent Eddie Byrnes clear and rounded Roche and finished into an empty net. Former Pike Rovers striker Ahern turned quickly but failed to trouble Stewart with a weak effort.
At this point, Burke had employed Colm Barrett as a third centre-back and switched to a 3-5-2 to match his opponents. At the beginning of the second half, the impressive Kian Barry dribbled past two challenges to get to the byline before pulling the ball back to Ahern who struck over the bar.
The home side were showing more intent in attack and were rewarded when Cian McNicholas corner delivery was met by Barrett at the back post to bring them back into the game. McNicholas deliveries were causing problems for the Ballynanty defence all game.
With over 20 minutes remaining, Ballynanty substitute Liam Byrnes was shown a straight red card for a foul on Mark Patterson. A melee ensued which involved both sets of players and management and also resulted in a member of the Mungret backroom staff and Ballynanty coach Derek Braddish being shown red cards by referee Ken Gorman.
Despite making a few changes in an attempt to equalise, the home side failed to make the extra-man count a long range dipping effort from playmaker Barry was as close as they came to rescuing a point. Gorman brought an end to a competitive game and now both sides will have to turn their attentions to Thursday night’s games. Ballynanty will host Pike Rovers in an early clash between two title rivals. Mungret will travel to the Garryowen Green to take on struggling Geraldines outfit.
Mungret Regional: James Roche, Craig Prendergast, Aaron Long, Eoghan Ryan, Conor Myers (Mark Patterson), Colm Barrett (Markus Finucane), Daragh Killian (Daragh Frawley), Kian Barry, Cian McNicholas, Sean Ezkennagha (Kieran Long), Pa Ahern
Ballynanty Rovers: Jamie Sterwart, Ger Higgins (Liam Byrnes), Seamus Maloney, Jake Dillon, Adam Costelloe, Adrian Power, Thomas Byrnes (Dave Donnan), Eddie Byrnes (Michael Guerin), John Connery, Pa Whelan (Arron Nunan)
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