Castlerahan spirits lifted by win over Ballyhaise says David Lennon

By Niall Gartland

IT really was backs-to-the-wall time for Castlerahan ahead of their round-two Senior Championship clash against Ballyhaise, so manager David Lennon was delighted to see his side pick up a precious group-stage victory and bolster their bid to avoid demotion to the Intermediate ranks.

Having fallen through the relegation trapdoor in the league, Lennon’s side had already suffered a narrow defeat to Killygarry in their championship opener.

They made amends on their second day out against Ballyhaise, a result that keeps alive their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds, even if they face a daunting task against Gowna in their penultimate group-stage clash.

The victory over Ballyhaise came at a cost, with injuries taking their toll, but Lennon was understandably delighted to get their campaign up and running.

“We left Breffni very disappointed the week before. We’d had a disallowed goal with the last kick of the game, a square ball, so it was a very tough call.

“We lost our full-back [Sean Óg McGearty] six seconds into the game against Ballyhaise, then we lost Oisin Kiernan maybe 10 minutes in, and then we had our centre-half-forward [Stephen Cooney] sent off, so it was a great win for us.

“Oisin wrecked his ankle. I don’t know how bad it is – he’s waiting on scan results. Our full-back did his cruciate, so he’s gone for the season. We’re light at the minute, let me tell you.

“So it’s a massive task ahead of us against Gowna, but that really was a brilliant win for us against Ballyhaise. It’s lifted morale and was the first time they’ve won a championship match in the group stages since 2021.”

The Monaghan native believes Castlerahan have a bright future, with their younger contingent steeled by a real desire to reach their potential.

“They’re a very young bunch and they’re actually a credit. I think maybe 10 of the team are U20 or thereabouts, so they’re very, very young and they’ve lots of potential.

“They’re learning the hard way, they’ve been thrown in at the deep end, but they’re really determined and that’s the main thing.”

It would be a major shock if Castlerahan tore up the script against Gowna, and Lennon knows that avoiding a heavy defeat could prove important if score difference comes into play in the final shake-up.

“With Gowna, we’ll go out and go for it, but at the same time, we’re mindful that there are a lot of teams on two points. If you’re lucky enough to win your last game and get four points, it could come down to score difference.

“It’s important that we get a performance and don’t get a hiding. That’s the important thing for us.”