Ballaghaderreen can approach holders in confidence after sinking Mitchels

Ballaghaderreen ......... 0-15

Castlebar Mitchels ........0-8

BALLAGHADERREEN caused a major surprise when sending Castlebar Mitchels crashing out of the Mayo senior championship after they defeated their opponets by seven points in the semi-final played in Elverys MacHale Park, Castlebar, reports AIDEN HENRY.

In what was one of Ballaghaderreen's best team performances for a long number of years, they controlled this semi-final from the off and by half time they had left their opponents with a mountain to climb as they led by six points, 0-10 to 0-4.

Four of their 10 points came from midfielder Ryan Lynch, all of which were delightful efforts from play.

Indeed, the Ballaghaderreen lead at the interval would have been a lot more only for the brillaince of Mitchels' goalkeeper, Rory Byrne, who made a number of magnificent saves.

Byrne's heroics continued into the second half when he again denied Ballaghaderreen a goal on a least four occasions following more outstanding saves.

Ten minutes into the second half Castlebar had have a great chance of scoring a goal that would have brought them back into the game when they were awarded a penalty after substitute Barry Moran was fouled in the big square.

However, Neil Douglas's spot kick was turned aroud the post by Ballaghaderreen 'keeper Patrick Sharkey.

From there to the end Ballaghaderreen controlled matters and were the fully deserving winners.

Ballaghaderreen: P. Sharkey, D. Drake, S. Cunniffe, P. Kelly, D. McBrien, O. Jordan, S. Akram, D. Kelly, R. Lynch (0-4), D. Feeney (0-1), C. Hanley, L. O'Grady, C. Doohan (0-3), A. Moran (0-3), K. Callaghan (0-2).

Subs used: T. Carmody (0-1), A. Lynch, C. O'Donnell, D. Forrest.

Castlebar Mitchels: R. Byrne, J. Maughan, D. Newcombe, R. O'Malley, G. McDonagh, E. O'Reilly, S. Conlon, B. Walsh, P. Durcan, S. Hopkins, D. Vaughan, J. Durcan (0-3), C. Costello, N. Douglas (0-4), G. Durcan (0-1).

Subs used: N. Lydon, F. Durkan, B. Moran, D. Stenson, D. Kirby.

Referee: V. Neary (Bonniconlon).

 

Champions Ballintubber ease past Ballina

 

Ballintubber .............. 1-10

Ballina Stephenities ... 0-6

DESPITE a brave bid, Ballina’s inexperience was shown up in the first of the two county senior football championship semi-finals at the weekend, writes JOHN MELVIN.

Champions Ballintubber always looked composed, winning in the end by 1-10 to 0-6, although the Ballintubber goal from Ciaran Gavin came just before the full-time whistle.

In what was a cagey affair, Ballintubber built a defensive wall in front of their goalmouth, resulting in just two Ciaran Treacy frees in the first half for the Stephenites, although the best goal chance was created by Ballina’s Sean Regan, who saw his cracking drive come back off the crossbar.

All of Ballintubber’s five first half points came from play, three from Cillian O’Connor and one each from Alan Plunkett and Noel Geraghty.

Two early second half points from Alan Plunkett saw Ballintubber move five clear before Mikey Murray finally got Ballina’s first point from play six minutes into the second half, but it was Ballina’s only point from play for the evening.

A controversial free, which was flagged as a point, but most pundits believed to be wide, had Ballina within striking distance - 0-8 to 0-5 - as the game turned for home and another Treacy free had it down to two points.

But the O’Connor brothers, Cillian (free) and Diarmuid stepped up to the mark with a point each to secure a win for a Ballintubber team who always looked in control,

Ballina failing to reach the same heights in terms of scoring power which saw them dispatch Breaffy from the championship in the quarter-final.

Ballintubber scorers: C. Gavin 1-1, Cillian O’Connor (0-4, 1f), A. Plunkett (0-3), J. Geraghty and D. O’Connor 0-1 each.

Ballina scorers: K. Treacy 0-5 (4f), M. Murray 0-1