Friday June 1st 2007 – Desmond Cup Final Replay – Ballingarry 3 NCW Rovers 2 AET
In one of the best cup finals in recent times Ballingarry won just their second Desmond cup in dramatic fashion. This unforgettable replay went almost to the final minute of extra time before Denis Kelly, a hero on so many occassions for Ballingarry, did it again with a goal to win the cup in the last minute of a marathon contest.
Twice Ballingarry had went ahead only for the Rovers to come back on each occasion. First Francis Kiely gave the winners the lead with a glorious goal from the edge of the box after twenty minutes. Scanlon put through his own goal to restore parity only for Ballingarry keeper John O’ Grady to give Ballingarry a half time lead from a wind assisted free from his own half ten minutes before the break.
A ding dong battle continued through the second half as Rovers again equalised to end normal time level. However as the game neared its end in extra time and with the large crowd looking forward to penalties up popped Man of the Match Kelly to spark wild scenes of joy when he headed home Kennedy’s cross from the right.
Team: J. O’ Grady; Darragh O’ Grady (N. Cahill); M. Corrigan; A. Barrett (capt); C. Kiely; M. Clancy; N. Condron; J. Scanlon; D. Kelly; F. Kiely (D. Alymer); Kennedy.