Roanmore have clinched their first ever Waterford Intermediate Football title with an historic victory over Ballinameela in a wet and windy Walsh Park today.
Ballinameela, despite coming out of the traps with two early points, found themselves trailing Roanmore by two at half time; 1-3 to 0-4.
Teams today pic.twitter.com/Dk6gDKsXKD
— Ballinameela GAA (@Ballinameela) October 31, 2022
It had taken them until the 29th minute to start pulling themselves back into the game with their 3rd point coming from Tom Curran before his twin brother, Jim, sent another one over the bar two minutes later.
Roanmore took the lead with a goal in the 23rd minute to make it 1-2 to 0-2 when a free in wasn't sufficiently dealt with by Ballinameela and the ball was quickly netted by Ethan Flynn.
Determined not to let an Orange weather warning or the half-time break dampen their spirits, the Sky Blues were the first on the scoresheet for the second half with a point.
But a Jason Morrissey free two minutes later narrowed the gap back to two points.
It remained tit-for-tat for the remaining 20 minutes of normal time and at 1-8 to 0-8, Ethan Flynn's goal was all that separated the sides when three minutes of extra time were added on.
Ballinameela's hopes of eliminating that gap altogether were raised when a free was given in the 62nd minute on the 21-yard line.
However, Roanmore packed the goal and free-taker, Jason Morrissey, opted instead to take his point.
Then, with just about the last play of the game, it was Ethan Flynn who again broke through and netted a second goal for the Sky Blues to cement their maiden Intermediate final victory.
Having won the Junior in 2020, it's been quite the rapid rise for Roanmore.
Ballinameela, meanwhile, have won the title on four occasions; 1979, 2009, 2012, and most recently in 2015.
There will no doubt be disappointment following today's loss however, the side tweeted that they will always remember 2022 for their 'heroic effort in the Western final', which they won on Wednesday last.
Hard luck to our lads who fought valiantly till the end. The goal in the first half kept distance between the sides that we just couldn't bridge. Not our result today but we'll remember 2022 for the heroic effort in the Western Final. Baile na Míolach abú 🔵⚪ pic.twitter.com/rrFtxfj5HF
— Ballinameela GAA (@Ballinameela) October 31, 2022
The final score today was Roanmore 2-8, Ballinameela 0-9.
Both sides will now play Premier Intermediate football for 2023.
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