Last-gasp stroke of magic hands Mayo glory to The Neale
The Neale ......1-12
Ballyhaunis .....1-11
THE Neale produced one last gasp effort which yielded the winning point to see them crowned Mayo intermediate football champions for 2019.
In a highly entertaining final, The Neale, who found themselves four points down at the interval, produced a brilliant second-half display before man of the match Tommy Conroy fired over the winning point three minutes into injury time.
Ballyhaunis, who had wind advantage in the first half, opened the scoring after five minutes with a point from Jason Coyne.
They failed to add to their tall,y despite having some fine chances, before The Neale got back on level terms in the 10th minute with a great point from Tommy Conroy.
However, the crucial score of the half arrived two minutes into the second quarter, a goal for Ballyhaunis.
It came after a quick free by Jason Coyne which found the unmarked John Cunnane, who had made a great run upfield from his full-back position.
Cunnane made the most of his opportunity by sliding the ball to the back of the net.
The east Mayo sides followed this goal up by adding four more points to their tally while The Neale kept in touch with two points from Sean Cosgrove and one from Stephen Morrin, which left them trailing by four at the break, 1-5 to 0-4.
Although Ballyhaunis increased their lead to five points within a minute of the resumption, it was The Neale who went on a scoring spree.
They registered an unanswered 1-6 to turn a five-point deficit into a three-point lead by the 48th minute. Their goal, which arrived in the 43rd minute, was a real gem from Tommy Conroy.
But Ballyhaunis hit back to draw level after scoring some brilliant points and, just when it looked as if these two sides would have to meet again to decide the outcome, upped popped Tommy Controy to land the winning point, three minutes into added-on time, sparking memorable celebrations by The Neale faithful.
The Neale: P. Hopkins, D. Morrin, M. Varley, P. McGrath, B. O'Halloran (0-1), S. Conroy, S. Morrin (0-1), D. Moran, A. O'Sullivan, J. Duffy, F. Sweeney, S. Cosgrove (0-7), O. Coburn, P. Walsh (0-1), T. Conroy (1-2).
Subs used: A.Varley, D. Keane.
Ballyhaunis: A. Phillips, B. Hunt, J. Cunnane (1-0), Jack Coyne, C. Freeley, K. Higgins (0-1), J. Sutton, K. Kirby, K. Byrne, C. Gardiner (0-1), E. Collins, P. Kiely (0-1), L.Herr, E. Phillips (0-4), Jason Coyne (0-3).
Subs used: B. O'Neill (0-1), M. Lyons, D.Cunnane, K. Gallagher.
Referee: J.Walker (Cill Chomain).