Super sub Barrett guides Belmullet into Mayo decider
Belmullet ............ 2-11
Kiltimagh ............. 2-9
TWO second half goals by substitute Cathal Barrett ensured Belmullet of victory in their Mayo intermediate championship semi-final clash against luckless Kiltimagh at Elverys MacHale Park, Castlebar, today.
There was never much between the two teams in the opening half despite Kiltimagh opening a three-point lead after 10 minutes with the wind at their backs.
By the 21st minute Belmullet had reeled Kiltimagh in after outscoring them by four points to one.
However, the east Mayo side finished the stronger with Eoghan Lavin kicking two magnificent points to give them an interval lead of 0-7 to 0-5.
In the third quarter both teams exchanged points on two occasions before Belmullet scored their first goal in the 42nd minute when substitute Cathal Barrett finished off a sweeping upfield move.
A minute later it got even worse for Kiltimagh as they were reduced to 14 players after midfielder Padraic Walsh was given his marching orders by the match official.
To their credit Kiltimagh kept battling away and in the 46th minute they had regained the lead after a cracking goal by Cillian Finn.
But this score was cancelled out three minutes later at the other end of the field after after Cathal Barrett scored his and his side's second goal.
When Michael Keane followed up with a pointed free it looked as if Belmullet were well on their way to the decider.
But Kiltimagh weren't finished yet and with just minutes of normal time remaining they got back on level terms after centre-back Donovan Cosgrove scored a brilliant goal
However, in injury time it was Belmullet who finished the stronger with late points from Keane, a free, and a fisted effort from Ryan O'Donoghue, sealed their place in the final.
Belmullet: S. Kilker, M. Boylan, Chris Barrett, C. Connor, Ciaran Barrett, E. Donoghue, Colin Barrett, J. Boylan, S. Nallen (0-1), J. Kelly (0-1), G. Barrett (0-1), K. Conway, J. Donoghue (0-2), M. Keane (0-4), R. O'Donoghue (0-1).
Subs used: Cathal Barrett (2-1), E. McAndrew, E. Healy, P. Ruddy.
Kiltimagh: J. McNicholas, M. Cummins, D. Lydon, C. Heneghan, J. Forkan, D. Cosgrove (1-0), L. Kelly, P. Kelly, S. Walsh, C. Finn (1-2), E. Lavin (0-5), S. McDonnell, K. Mulderrig, T. Keegan (0-2), L. Lydon.
Subs used: B. Gallagher, S. Forkan.
Referee: D. Corcoran (Islandeady).