Castlebar get over the line with late surge against ballinrobe

If Castlebar end the Mayo drought in this competition and go on to win the Connaught Junior Cup, then they will look back on Sunday’s joust against Ballinrobe - which they won 27-18 - as a pivotal moment in their season, writes Patrick Hennelly

With just 10 minutes of normal time remaining in this clash, the underdogs led 18-10 and the south Mayo side were on the verge of recording one of the shocks of the round. However, sport can be cruel and somehow Castlebar summoned all of their resolve and experience to eke out the victory.

Castlebar had already recorded two league victories this season against Ballinrobe, but the black and white made a bright start and opened the scoring on 10 minutes courtesy of an Oisin Gill penalty. It was no more than the Robesiders deserved as they had Castlebar encamped in their own half during the embryonic stages of the tie.

Gutsy Ballinrobe played with plenty of heart and determination throughout an absorbing cup battle and when Anthony Coleman bundled over for a try on 17 minutes, the away supporters began to dream that this was going to be their day.

Castlebar almost pounced for a five-pointer on 20 minutes but Rory Hughes fumbled possession at the vital time following good approach play from Damien Togher and Gavin Sullivan.

The home side busily searched for an avenue back into the game and their first score of a bitterly cold afternoon arrived on 26 minutes courtesy of an improvised drop-goal from the industrious Stevie Rogan. The score seemed to inspire the locals and when Aaron Wotton seized upon a loose ball, he sallied towards the posts and gleefully claimed the try. Ronan Conway added the conversion and suddenly the pre-match favourites led 10-8.

The west Mayo side suffered a setback on 39 minutes, however, when Aaron Wotton was sin-binned before another penalty from Gill ensured a slender 11-10 lead for the guests during the half time break.

Both sides played with lots of endeavour on the resumption as the game remained on a knife-edge. Ballinrobe’s battling qualities came to the fore on 54 minutes when possession was snaffled up by Neil Winters, whose surging run towards goal left the Castlebar defence chasing shadows before he scored the vital touchdown. Gill added the conversion and with Ballinrobe leading 18-10, a real cup upset was on the cards.     

However, Castlebar are not second in the Division One B league table by chance and during the final 10 minutes of normal time, they dug deep and summoned all of their resolve. Super-sub David Staunton pinched a try on 70 minutes following some intense pressure from his team-mates and when Rogan added the conversion, only the bare minimum separated the sides.

Ballinrobe were full of heart and determination but they received a sucker-punch when Rogan coolly slotted over a penalty on 76 minutes to muster a 20-18 lead for the locals.

The Robesiders tried to regroup but during the dying stages of the tie their cup dreams were shattered. Castlebar’s David Staunton added his second try of the contest and Ronan Conway fired over the conversion to seal the deal.

Ballina and Westport both won at the weekend also and they join Castlebar in the semi-final draw. The three Mayo sides will have either Monivea or Connemara of Galway for company. They clash this weekend for a place in the final four.

Castlebar: B. Flannery, M. Barrett, R. Hughes, M. Staunton, S. Staunton, G. Sullivan, M. Moran, A. Wotton, D. Togher, S. Rogan, P. Rowland, C. Foy, N. Byrne, R. Cusack, R. Conway. Replacements used: L. Staunton, I. McDonagh, D. Staunton, N. Gibbons, J. Staunton.

Ballinrobe: J. McTigue, D. Burke, M. Mikolajewski, P. Moylette, A. Coleman, D. Madden, C. Varley, J. Winters, C. McHugh, O. Gill, N. Winters, R. Holian, M. Walsh, J. Costello, P. Cosgrove. Replacements used: K. Staunton, S. Kelly, J. Mannion.