Claremorris find that bit extra

FOR the second time round extra-time was needed before a winner could be found, and it was Claremorris who found that bit extra to claim their fifth county Under 21 title at MacHale Park, Castlebar, on Sunday with a 0-14 to 0-10 victory over Ballina Stephenites.

In a game of many twists and turns, Ballina looked the team most likely to claim the title when they bossed the first half to lead 0-7 to 0-5 at the break having played into the teeth of a gale in that opening half.

It could have been over at that stage for Claremorris had Evan Regan not been denied a goal by a brilliant save from Claremorris goalkeeper Keith Saunders.

However, a different Claremorris team emerged for the second half with James Shaughnessey, playing in a deeper role, taking centre stage along with man of the match Colin Gill, and it was Ballina who found themselves struggling to stay in the game.

The levelling point from Sean Diskin was followed by a superb point from team captain Shaughnessey and Claremorris, now dominant in almost every area, went into the lead as the game turned for home.

But a magnificent point from Brendan Murray threw Ballina a lifeline and in the flick of a switch the Stephenites had shot to the front when Diarmuid Durkan capitalised on a rare Claremorris defensive error.

However, Sean Diskin was the man who sent this game to extra-time with a late point and in the 20 minutes added on Ballina failed to score while Claremorris added a brace of points in both periods to secure a worthy win and a call from captain Shaughnessey to transfer what they had achieved at Under 21 level to get Claremorris back on the map at senior level.