Paul Finlay has showed that age is no limit as he put in a masterclass performance in Ballybay’s shock 2-11-1-09 win over Crossmaglen Rangers.
The 39-year-old was the Man of the Match as he made his Ulster championship debut as the former Monaghan forward scoring 0-4 in the Ulster preliminary round to cause a huge shock.
At the age of 39, Paul Finlay could be forgiven for thinking days like this were over. However, he rolled back the years with a top display to give him club a famous victory.
Paul Finlay at 39 gave a master class in this game, for me the intelligence and unselfishness of this decoy run to clear the way for the ball over the top (does he even point where to pass?) summed up his performance, he was going stronger than anyone at the end of the game.Class pic.twitter.com/AnaK9OANMc
— Ray Boyne (@AnalysisGaa) November 5, 2022
Speaking to RTÉ after the game, Paul Finlay revealed how much work went into tonight’s game and what it meant to him personally.
At the age of 39, Paul Finlay has finally played an Ulster Club Senior game - he was on his honeymoon in 2012 - and he delivered a Player of the Match performance as they tore through Crossmaglen in the second half. pic.twitter.com/rfs1fMNiW1
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) November 5, 2022
“We prepared well over the last three weeks since our county final, that’s what you get when you knuckle down and do a bit of hard work and prepare as best as we could.
Thankfully the boys were up for the game this evening, it’s Ballybay’s first win in an Ulster club championship so there was a lot on the line for us today.
It’s brilliant, we won the county final and it’s the first thing I looked forward to was getting to tonight. I missed it as a result of my honeymoon ten years ago, delighted to get a chance here this evening.
It doesn’t get any easier does it, All-Ireland champions, Crossmaglen first round, then Kicoo. We’ll just take it like we did the Crossmaglen game, we’ll try work as hard as we can, we’ve only a week turnaround so that’s short.”
In an electric start to the game, despite difficult conditions goals from Rian O’Neil and a penalty from Shane McGuiness saw both sides score early goals to get the game running.
In a tight but entertaining half, it was Crossmaglen who took a slender 1-05 to 1-04 lead at the interval, but Ballybay started the second half strong with two quickfire points from McGuiness and Dessie Ward.
After Ballybay’s second goal from Aaron Toner which saw Bally bay take a six point lead, it was the experience and quality from the likes of Finlay that saw them hold out for a famous victory for the Monaghan side.
Aaron Toner with a Ballybay goal and Crossmaglen are in trouble.
Live now on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. pic.twitter.com/3VfBUOGO36— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) November 5, 2022
Ballybay will now face reigning All-Ireland champions Kilcoo in the next round of a hugely competitive Ulster championship.
SEE ALSO: 'It Starts And Ends With Hard Work:' More Tipp Success For Brian Carroll As A Hurling Coach
