Geraghty the Ballintubber hero as Mitchels dream is shattered

Ballintubber ............ 0-16

Castlebar Mitchels....0-15

(After extra time)

Inseparable in normal time (it finished 0-12 each) thanks to a Cillian O’Connor injury-time free, Ballintubber finally won the replayed battle of the neighbours tonight at Elverys MacHale Park to book a place in the Mayo SFC championship final against Breaffy next Saturday night.

Substitute Joe Geraghty kicked the winning point a minute from the end of the second period of extra-time to bring what was an epic battle to a thrilling end.

Castlebar Mitchels had their chances, especially in normal time, but Ballintubber deserve full credit for coming back in a contest that was always tight, never more than two points separating the sides.

Ballintubber kicked ahead by two points thanks to Cillian O’Connor (free) and a superb effort from Diarmuid O’Connor, but Castlebar pared back one to trail by 0-14 to 0-13 after the first period of extra-time.

The second period of extra-time produced a stunning point from Paraic O’Connor to put two between the sides before Douglas hit two frees to level it at 0-15 apiece.

It looked as if more extra-time would be needed until Geraghty nailed the winner and Castlebar's dream of a fourth consecutive title was shattered.

Castlebar looked to have this one in the bag in normal time when they led by two points but Ballintubber refused to lie down, a point by Diarmuid O’Connor from play and another late on from a Cillian O’Connor free forcing extra-time for the second consecutive week.

Ballintubber were good value for their interval lead of 0-7 to 0-5, Alan Dillon and Bryan Walsh closing out the half with the last two points, a brilliant 40-yard pass from Diarmuid O’Connor setting up Walsh who took his score well.

Castlebar began well with two rapid points from Shane Hopkins and Neil Douglas.

But Ballintubber tied matters with two Cillian O’Connor frees and then kicked on with point from Gary Loftus and Jason Gibbons.

However back-to-back points from James Durcan had it squared at 0-4 apiece, Douglas nudging Mitchels ahead again.

Ballintubber capitalised on one or two poor decisions by the Mitchels to deservedly lead a half in neither side created a goal chance.

It was ultimately to prove a memorable occasion for the Ballintubber men on a night of drama. 

Ballintubber: B. Walsh, G. Loftus (0-1), C. Hallinan, B. Murphy, D. Coleman, M. Plunkett, B. Walsh (0-1), J. Gibbons (0-1), D. O’Connor (0-2), C. Gavin, A. Dillon (0-1), A. Plunkett, P. O’Connor (0-1), C. O’Connor (0-7, 6f), S. O’Malley (0-1).

Subs used: J. Finnerty for A. Plunkett (39), M Kelly for R O’Connor (45), P O’Connor for O Malley (59), J. Geraghty (0-1) for Loftus (72),

Castlebar: R. Byrne, S. Conlon, G. McDonagh, D. Newcombe, R. O’Malley, P. Durcan (0-1), S. Hopkins (0-2), A. Walsh, D. Vaughan, N. Lydon, D. Kirby, J. Durcan (0-2), B. Moran (0-1), N. Douglas (0-5, 4f), D. Stenson (0-3, 3f).

Subs used: A O’Boyle (0-1) for Walsh (37), N Lydon for Kirby (45), C. Kyne for O Malley (BC, 65), D. Kirby for Stenson (67)