Belmullet bridge 44-year gap
BELMULLET were crowned Mayo intermediate champions for the first time in 44 years after an impressive victory over Burrishoole at Elverys MacHale Park this evening. Final score: Belmullet 2-10, Burrishoole 0-9.
Trailing by 11 points at the interval, Burrishoole mounted a mini revival in the second half but the damage had been done in that first half, which was totally dominated by the north Mayo men who had pace and power where it mattered and there was never any doubt about the outcome.
Two goals from lethal forward Johnny Donoghue had Belmullet in control and by the interval they had established a solid foundation of 2-6 to 0-1, Burrishoole’s only score coming from the boot of Jason Doherty from a free.
Cathal Barrett, Ryan O’Donoghue, Gearoid Barrett and Ciaran Conway were also on the score-sheet for Belmullet in that first half.
Ironically, it was defensive mistakes by Burrishoole which presented the goals to Belmullet but Donoghue took both of them well.
But this was far from a one man band, with outstanding performances all over the pitch from the champions who last won this title in 1974 and will be playing senior championship football next season, and on this display they will be well able to hack it with the big boys.
They may have eased off the pedal in the second half but, in fairness, Burrishoole put up a much better performance, but an 11-point deficit was always going to be impossible to pull back. To their credit, they gave it their best shot but met a superior team on a balmy night in Castlebar before a crowd of around 6,000.
Belmullet: S. Kilker, E. O’Donoghue, C. Barrett, C. Connor, C. Barrett, M. Boylan, C. Barrett, C. Barrett (0-1), S. Nallen, S. Kelly (0-1), G. Barrett (0-1), C. Conway (0-1), J. Donoghue (2-2), M. Keane (0-1, 1f), R. O’Donoghue (0-3).
Subs used: E. McAndrew for C. Barrett (42), E. Healy for Nallen (47), P. Ruddy for R. O’Donoghue (57), S. Barrett for J. Donoghue.
Burrishoole: P. Holmes, D. Nevin, J. Sammon, D. Drumm, L. O’Malley, P. Mulchrone (0-1), A. McDermott (0-1), P. McManamon, A. McManamon, P. Cannon, A. Ryder, J. Doherty (0-2, 2f), C. Guilfoyle (0-1), D. Hanley, F. McManamon (0-1).
Subs used: M. Moran (0-3) and C. McManamon for Hanley and A. McManamon (ht), C. Burke for P. Cannon (48), M. O’Malley for Ryder (50).
Referee: P. Lydon.