Summerhill welcomed visitors Ballinabrackey for their A-League Division 1 game on a bright but cool  Sunday morning. Heads were been scratched among the local before the match as to when, if ever, Summerhill had played the Bracks in a senior football match.

The Bracks started the game brightly and some wayward shooting from the hosts saw them lead by 4 points to 2 after 15 minutes. The home side settled and began to find their range and hit 5 points without reply as half time approached. The point coming from Eoghan Frayne, Jamie O’Shea and Padhraig Geraghty and two from Diarmuid McCabe. Almost on the stroke of half time the visitors were awarded a penalty which was duly dispatched to draw the sides level. A well struck 45 from Eoghan Frayne saw the home side lead by the minimum at the break, 0-8 to 1-4.  

Summerhill upped their intensity at the start of the second half and their direct running was drawing fouls from the visitor’s defense. These frees were well dispatched by Conor Lyons with 3 and Eoghan Frayne with another. Midway through the half Summerhill led by 6 and seemed in control but 3 quick points from the visitors narrowed the lead to just a goal.

Summerhill lost Iarla Hughes to a black card with 10 minutes remaining. Ballinabrackey sought to take advantage of the extra man but the Summerhill defense stood firm marshaled well by the experienced Caolan Young and Willie Ryan.  With  three minutes remaining Summerhill were reduced to 13 men when Ben Moran picked up what looked like a harsh red card. Despite been two men down David Larkin found the back of the net with time almost up to finally put the result beyond doubt.

Final score Summerhill 1-14 Ballinabrackey 1-8.  The win moved Summerhill onto 5 points after 3 games. Next up is an away trip to Skryne in 2 weeks time.

Team: Robbie McDonnell, Iarla Hughes, Padraig Jennings, Willie Ryan, Padhraig Geraghty (0-1), Conor McNally, Ben Moran, Diarmuid McCabe (0-2), Ross Ryan, Davy Larkin (1-0), Liam Shaw (0-1), Jamie O’Shea (0-1), Eamonn Ryan, Eoghan Frayne (0-4, 1f, 2 45s), Conor Lyons (0-3, 3f).

Subs Used:
John Lavelle (0-1) for Padhraig Geraghty, Paul Larkin (0-1) for Eamonn Ryan, Caolan Young for Conor mcNally.