Balla end 38-year wait for second junior crown
Balla .......... 1-12
Achill ...........1-7
BALLA were crowned Mayo junior football A champions for 2018 following their fully deserved five-point victory over Achill in the final played at Elverys MacHale Park, Castlebar, today.
It was little wonder there was massive celebrations among the huge Balla after the final whistle as it was way back in 1980 since they last won the title which, in fact, was their first ever county junior championship title.
Achill, who had won the county title on no less than six occasions in the past, could have few excuses about this defeat. They were just totally outplayed by a better Balla side on the day.
Balla laid the foundation for their magnificent win in the opening half when playing against the wind. Here they played a well controlled brand of football where they defended brilliantly and attacked at pace.
After both sides exchanged points the crucial score of the half, if indeed not the game, arrived in the 11th minute when Balla scored a magnificent goal. It came after goalkeeper Matthew Flanagan and Tommy Reynolds combined before sending Conor Walsh on hius way towards goal.
The team captain in turn made the most of his opportunity by hitting an unstoppable low drive to bottom left corne of the net. When Balla followed this goal up with three quick fire points they found themselves five points in front at the end of the first quarter.
Achill's centre-back Eddie Doran did try and keep his side in the game with two fine points in the second quarter. However, it was Balla who held a healthy lead at the interval when they led by four, 1-5 to 0-4, and would have the wind advantage to help them on the resumption.
If Achill were to get back into this game they needed a good start to the second-half. But this never materalised as it was Balla who made a blistering start to the half.
With just over seven minutes gone they had already doubled their half-time advantage after Gary McHale, Val Roughneen (two) and Shane Conway raised white flags.
By the end of the third quarter their lead had extended to nine points and had more or less the game won.
In fairness to Achill they kept battling away in the final quarter but were never able to get in a major blow. They did however get a conulation goal a minute into added on time but all it did was put a better look on the final scoreline.
In the end there was no denying that Balla were by far the better side following a brilliant all round team performance.
Balla: M. Flanagan, A. Walsh (0-2), C. Brennan, T. Walsh, C. Kilkenny (0-1), G. Flanagan, T. Reynolds, S. Conway (0-1), B. Duffy, S. Morrissey (0-1), B. Freyne, V. Roughneen (0-4), C. Murphy (0-1), C. Walsh (1-0), G. McHale (0-2).
Subs used: J. Harte, P. McLoughlin, C. Golding, C. Connor.
Achill: T. McGlynn, J. Gallagher, P. Gallagher, C. Boylan, F. Gallagher, E. Doran (0-2), T. Dever, S. Grealis (0-1), M. Keane, J. Fadian (1-1), T. Cooney, D. McNamara, B. Lavelle (0-2), M. D.Sweeney (0-1), M. D. McNamara.
Subs used: J. Joyce, F. McNamara, C. Cafferkey.
Referee: S. Reilly (The Neale)