Ballyhaise consolidate promotion with final win over wasteful Shercock

ACFL Division 2 final

Ballyhaise 1-16

Shercock 0-14

Kevin Óg Carney at Hugh O'Reilly Park

Ballyhaise consolidated their promotion to the top division in 2026 with a hard-earned ACFL Division 2 final triumph over a gallant Shercock side at Hugh O’Reilly Park, Cootehill on Saturday evening last.

In what was a pretty disappointing end-of-season affair in which both teams failed to reach any great heights, Ballyhaise proved to be more clinical, sharper in their passing and more focussed over the hour-plus.

Played in perfect conditions – save a stifling heat - before a decent-sized crowd, the destination of the silverware turned on an instant in and around the 46th minute which fairly encapsulated the differences between the teams on the evening.

After the well-shackled Seán Clarke had converted a free in the 44th minute, Shercock gave away possession yet again as they sought to make inroads up the field. To their credit, Ballyhaise immediately made hay from their opponents’ error with Martin Conaty setting up Seán Óg Teevan for a smart and efficient finish.

The only goal of the game catapulted Ballyhaise into a 1-12 to 0-10 lead and from there to the conclusion of the game, the winners-elect comfortably retained their cushioned lead.

Without the football nous of midfielder Ryan Clerkin and the score-taking ability of Niall Clerkin, Shercock found it difficult to come up with enough ammunition and penetration needed to cause an upset.

In truth, Ballyhaise deserve a lot of credit for churning out a victory without them being at anywhere near their best with the policing jobs done by Evan Crowe and Aaron Watson on Killian Clarke and Seán Clarke and their mastery of the midfield sector key to their winning formula.

As usual, Shercock punched above their weight and a good contest ensued although both teams will be anxious to tidy up their passing, lessen their ball-watching habits and improve their shooting if they are to complement their league innings with success in the championship.

In the all-important matter of shooting, Shercock have most work to do. Had they taken any one of four decent goal chances during the game, a different script might have been penned.

Ballyhaise were the worst offenders in front of goal in the opening quarter; shooting three wides in the opening five minutes en route to opening up a 0-4 to 0-1 lead at the end of the first quarter.

But while Shercock created fewer scoring chances in the last third, they were more proflicate than Ballyhaise. That said, it took a great double save by Gary O’Rourke in the 27th minute to prevent, firstly, Killian Clarke and then Conor McIntyre from netting.

Ballyhaise led by 0-8 to 0-6 at the interval but until they bagged their goal, they never looked like cutting their opponents loose and they breathed a major sigh of relief in the 41st minute when Eoin Morrissey rifled his shot inches over the crossbar after good foraging by Conor Ruxton and Colin Clerkin.

The Aodhagán Watters-captained side were still just two points (0-10 to 0-12) in front entering the final quarter when Teevan was teed up for his goal but three minutes later Michael Morrissey worked himself into a goal-scoring position but the chance came to nothing.

Shercock needed a goal(s) in the run-in a point apiece from Philip Clerkin and Lee Browne (59) was all they could muster in the final 10 minutes.

Ballyhaise’s grip on the game was anything but vice-like down the back straight but they were resolute, well organised and held firm to deservedly land the silverware.

Ballyhaise: Gary O’Rourke; Ben Smith, Aaron Watson, Darren Reilly;Aodhagán Watters, Evan Crowe, Kevin McGovern (0-1); Brian O’Rourke (0-1), Jack Maguire (0-1); Colin McKiernan (0-1), Michael Brady (0-5, 3f), Sean Óg Teevan (1-1); Killian Brady (0-2), Padraig Moore (0-3), Martin Conaty (0-1).

Subs; Cormac Clarke for J Maguire; Adam Heaslip for Killian Brady; Michael Kelly for A Watters.

Shercock: Aaron Smith; Conor Ruxton, Colin Clerkin, Noel McIntyre; Andrew Hill (0-1), Damien McIntyre, Michael Morrissey (0-1); Philip Clerkin, Lee Browne (0-1); Eoin Morrissey (0-4), Killian Clarke, Conor McIntyre; Seán Clarke (0-6, 3f, 2ptf), Aistis Paskevicius, Fintan McIntyre (0-1).

Subs; Shane McElroy for A Paskevicius; Ciaran Liggin for C McIntyre; Stephen Donnery for F McIntyre; Darren Reilly for P Clerkin