Ballintubber's experience tells in gripping title triumph
Ballintubber ........... 1-14
Ballaghaderreen .....1-11
BALLINTUBBER retained the Moclair Cup after carving out a well deserved victory over Ballaghaderreen in the Mayo senior football championship final at Elvery's MacHale Park, Castlebar, tonight.
In what was a very tense and close decider, it was Ballintubber's greater experience that proved the difference in the end.
Although Ballaghaderreen had the wind advantage in the opening half they found it difficult to break down the solid Ballintubber defence.
Indeed, for the opening 25 minutes points were exchanged on five occasions before the game burst into life in the closing stages of the half.
It was the Ballaghaderreen supporters who were in full voice after Cormac Doohan scored a brilliant goal in the 26th minute after receiving a great pass from Darragh Kelly.
When Andy Moran followed with a pointed free moments later it looked as if the east Mayo side would go in at the break with a nice advantage.
However, in the final minute of normal time, Ballintubber struck back with a great goal of their own.
It came after a great upfield movement before Jason Gibbons placed Michael Plunkett, who had joined the attack, with an inch perfect pass before the centre back rounded the Ballaghaderreen goalkeeper Patrick Sharkey and planted the ball in the back of the net.
Within a minute of this goal Ballintubber got back on level terms with a fine point from Stephen O'Malley which left the sides deadlocked at 1-6 each as they trotted off for the interval break.
On the resumption the sides went toe to toe with each other in the rain, and again points were exchanged on five occasions to leave it all to play for with six minutes remaining.
However, with the game there to be won, it was Ballintubber's great experience that came into play.
Points from Cillian O'Connor and a second from substitute Keelan McDonnell had Ballintubber two in front with five minutes remaining.
Although an Andy Moran pointed free left just a point between the sides again, it was Ballintubber who made the game safe with two more points from Cillian O'Connor in the closing stages after his side's defence had closed out some persistent late Ballaghaderreen attacks.
Ballintubber: B. Walsh, G. Loftus, B. Murphy, R. O'Connor, D. Coleman, M. Plunkett, M. Kelly, J. Gibbons, D.O'Connor (0-1), C. Gavin (0-1), C. O'Connor (0-7), B. Walsh, N. Geraghty, A.Plunkewtt, S. O'Malley (0-3).
Subs used: K. McDonnell (0-2), A. Dillon, J. Geraghty, P. O'Connor.
Ballaghaderreen: P. Sharkey, D. Drake, S. Cunniffe, P. Kelly, D. McBrien (0-1), O. Jordan (0-1), S. Akram, D. Kelly, R. Lynch, D. Feeney, C. Hanley (0-1), L. O'Grady (0-1), C. Doohan (1-1), A. Moran (0-6), K. Callaghan.
Subs used: A. Lynch, T. Carmody.
Referee: J. Henry (Castlebar).