THE stakes rise for Glenullin and Ballyhaise in today’s Ulster semi-final showdown after comfortable wins in the last round.
Like Breffni junior champions Arva, Ballyhaise operate in the senior league and they more than held their own.
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If Glenullin are to advance to next month’s final, they’ll have to go one better than Ballymachugh. After having midfielder David Brady red carded, Ballyhaise trailed in the final seconds of their group encounter until his brother Michael earned a draw with his fifth point of the day.
Ballyhaise had a comfortable route through the knock-out stages and dismantled Downings in the Ulster opener. Winning all but three of the Donegal side’s first half kick-outs translated into a comfortable interval lead.
Glenullin must get a handle on playmaker Martin Conaty who had the freedom of Kingspan Breffni to ping passes as Ballyhaise went to town.
While Downings weren’t at the races, Paddy Bradley will have saw how much joy Patrick McElwee got from Downings’ early kicking game before Ballyhaise depleted a sweeper. With his brother Eoin, Ryan McNicholl, Neil McNicholl and Donal O’Kane on song the last day, the ‘Glen will need more of the same.
David Brady operates very much as the free man. While wearing number eight, he’ll pop up anywhere he is needed and feeds into the direct game they bossed Downings.
Michael Brady is also a vital kick-out option but much of their success came from aimless kicks down their throats.
It will be interesting to see if manager Damien Keany opts for Padraig Moore from the start today. He bagged 2-1 before being substituted early in the first half but didn’t show any apparent signs of injury. His replacement, Kevin Tierney, has county experience and could be in line for a start.
The Derry champions will also be looking for big games from Diarmuid McNicholl and Daniel O’Kane who excelling in their marking jobs against Glenravel.
Another of Glenullin’s strengths to date has been the movement for Niall O’Kane’s kick-outs and it’s varied. If they are not hugging wide, they hold the middle with Cormac Hasson, Conor Rafferty key players for the outlet. This is the area Downings struggled and an avenue Glenullin will need to address to get a foothold.
The Cavan champions, operating at a higher level all season, will have the favourites’ tag but Glenullin’s mix of an attacking threat and a refusal to throw in the towel will give Ballyhaise plenty to ponder.
