Match Reports

Senior League Div 1 v Ballaghadereen

by Brian Murphy
28th September 2019
Mayo Senior League Division 1
Ballintubber 1-12 Ballaghaderreen 1-9
Our Seniors survived a late rally from Ballaghaderreen in Ballintubber this evening to claim both points in this Mayo Senior League fixture. Although we were certainly the better for most of the game, Ballaghaderreen rallied late in the game and very nearly equalized right at the death. However, Sharoize Akram miscued a volley with the goal at his mercy and the ball went out for a ’45 before the final whistle was blown.
The tempo of this game and the team selection of both sides indicated that both teams had one eye on their respective Championship Semi-Finals. We lined out without the injured Alan Dillon while Cathal Hallinan started at wing-back for the first time since last year’s Connacht club final. Diarmuid O’Connor and Damien Coleman made substitute appearances for while Ballagh’ were without the likes of Seamus Cunniffe, Cian Hanley, David Drake and Owen Jordan.
It was the Red and White who were definitely the better team in the first half. Mayo star Cillian O’Connor didn’t get on the scoreboard but was heavily involved in many scores. The most crucial of these was our only goal which came when O’Connor caught a long ball from Jason Gibbons before assisting Stephen O’Malley who palmed it into an empty net. We strung together some nice moves which resulted in six points being shared between Stephen O’Malley, Ciaran Gavin, Brian Walsh and Alan Plunkett. Meanwhile, Ballaghaderreen only managed three points, with Cormac Doohan landing a solitary score from play from close range.
 
Mayo legend Andy Moran landed two frees in the first half but was closely watched by Gary Loftus, who kept the Ballagh’ Bomber scoreless from play while he was on him. Kuba Callaghan showed well for the visitors with his direct running, but Ballagh' lacked a clear attacking outlet outside of Moran early on.
Leading 1-6 to 0-3 at half-time, we looked to be in control early on in the second half. Jason Gibbons had a stormer around the middle and kicked the half’s opening point before Stephen O’Malley cancelled out an Andy Moran free. Cillian O’Connor was rested after ten minutes after Noel Geraghty pointed to put the Abbeysiders seven points ahead. Andy Moran (who finished with seven points) then kicked two frees before Jason Gibbons pointed his second.
Ballaghaderreen hit their stride in the 40th minute when Cormac Doohan set up Kuba Callaghan to finish a goal which was almost identical to Ballintubber’s earlier one. Having played well within themselves up to this point, the East Mayo side really began to play ball, with Andy Moran pointing his only score from play from a fair distance.
Ballagh’ nearly hit the net a second time but for Brian Murphy, who palmed a piledriver from Ryan Lynch up and over the bar. We had certainly slipped back a few gears in the second half and were wasteful at times. However, Jason Gibbons and Michael Plunkett played impressively and we eventually worked a score when Stephen O’Malley swung over a crucial free to put us three ahead.
Ballagh’ were not finished though. A late goal chance went astray when the newly-introduced Stephen Drake won a ball at full-forward before blasting it high and wide. The visitors nearly snatched a last-gasp equaliser when Kuba Callaghan’s shot was stopped by Tom McGing before Shoroize Akram scoffed the rebound. Time ran out for Ballagh’ and we left with both points.
Ballintubber team that lined out: (1)Brendan Walsh (2)Gary Loftus (3)Brian Murphy (4)Joe Geraghty (5)Cathal Hallinan (6)Michael Plunkett (7)Myles Kelly (8)Jason Gibbons (0-2) (9)Ciaran Gavin (0-2, 1f) (10)Noel Geraghty (0-1) (11)Brian Walsh (0-1) (12)Keelan McDonnell (13)Alan Plunkett (0-1) (14)Cillian O’Connor (15)Stephen O’Malley (1-5, 1f)
Substitutions used: Diarmuid O’Connor for Keelan McDonnell, Damien Coleman for Cathal Hallinan, Finian Bourke for Gary Loftus, Jamsie Finnerty for Cillian O’Connor, Hugh Geraghty for Brian Walsh.

Senior Championship Q-Final 2019

by Brian Murphy
September 21st 2019
Mayo Senior Football Championship Quarter-Final
Ballintubber 1-12 Belmullet 1-8
Our seniors were made to work in Ballina today as they advanced to the semi-finals of the Mayo Senior Football Championship for the sixth consecutive season. A hard-fought display was given by Kevin Johnson’s charges who will face Ballina Stephenites in a fortnight’s time. Despite falling behind early on, a crucial goal by Cillian O’Connor before half-time gave us a lead which we never let slip. A Trojan display from Diarmuid O’Connor and Jason Gibbons at midfield, coupled with the accuracy of Cillian O’Connor and Stephen O’Malley, ensured we remained at least three points in front until the end.
Played out in a wet and windy James Stephen’s Park, Intermediate champions Belmullet asked plenty of questions of our team and threatened to cause an upset in the opening stages. Belmullet landed the first score before Brian Walsh and Cillian O’Connor shared three unanswered points. With the wind at their backs, the Erris men cancelled out these scores when corner-forward Ryan O’Donoghue soloed through our defence to fire in a superb goal. Belmullet then took a three-point lead when O’Donoghue and Gary Boylan pointed.
The North Mayo men were making life hard for our lads, forcing numerous turnovers in the slippery conditions. Diarmuid O’Connor helped launch a Ballintubber comeback when he landed a point before sending a long-range free into brother Cillian, who turned and sent the ball to the back of the net. Not long after the game’s most crucial score, Stephen O’Malley landed a fine score to ensure we lead 1-6 to 1-4 at the break
With the wind and the rain dying down somewhat after half-time, we upped our performance notably in the second half. With the injured Alan Dillon having withdrawn in the first half, scores from Stephen O’Malley, Cillian O’Connor and the tireless Jason Gibbons gave us a convincing five-point lead.
The Erris men kept up the pressure with the likes of Gary Boylan, Ryan O’Donoghue and Shane Nallen giving us plenty to think about. However, we played the better football as Jason Gibbons and Diarmuid O’Connor ran themselves to a standstill while Bryan Walsh had numerous possessions and linked the play well. Despite Belmullet’s efforts, our defence tightened up and kept Ryan O’Donoghue scoreless in the second half while Cillian O’Connor kept Chris Barrett occupied for most of the time. Our main marksmen in Stephen O’Malley and Cillian O’Connor shared a point each before full-time, meaning we prevailed by a relatively comfortable four-point margin.
Ballintubber team that lined out: (1)Brendan Walsh (2)Gary Loftus (19)Ruaidhri O’Connor (4)Brian Murphy (5)Damien Coleman (6)Michael Plunkett (7)Myles Kelly (8)Jason Gibbons (0-1) (9)Diarmuid O’Connor (0-1) (10)Ciarán Gavin (11)Alan Dillon (12)Bryan Walsh (0-1) (20)Noel Geraghty (14)Cillian O’Connor (1-6, 3f, 1 ’45) (15)Stephen O’Malley (0-3)
Substitutions used: Keelan McDonnell for Alan Dillon (injured), Alan Plunkett for Ciarán Gavin, Joe Geraghty for Ruaidhri O’Connor, Padraic O’Connor for Noel Geraghty, Jamsie Finnerty for Bryan Walsh (Black Card)

League Div 1 Ballintubber v Hollymont/Carramore

by Brian Murphy
September 15th 2019
Mayo Senior League Division 1

Ballintubber 1-13 Hollymount/Carramore 2-8
The score-line may have suggested a tighter affair, but our Seniors looked well on their way to claiming both points for most of this League fixture
Facing into next weekend’s vital Championship games, both teams gave a good account of themselves and looked fit and sharp. However, it was Ballintubber who had that bit extra, with the home side relying a bit too much on the Darren Coen and Conor Keane for scores. Hollymount’s dynamic duo were kept on a short lead throughout by Brian Murphy and Gary Loftus who played a big part in curtailing their influence. We also created more chances and kicked fewer wides than our opponents and had the better of our neighbours around the middle of the field.
We were nearly always five or six points ahead and were able to withdraw the likes of Alan Dillon, Cillian O’Connor and Diarmuid O’Connor at relatively early stages. But for a stunning goal from Darren Coen in the final minute, we would’ve won by a more convincing margin.
 
As a soft rain made for very slippery playing conditions, a real contest unfolded in the early stages. Noel Geraghty landed the Abbeysiders’ opening score before Alan Dillon launched a long ball towards Cillian O’Connor who fielded before firing a goal past Cian Ferriter. The home side quickly set out to cancel out this score as Darren Coen hit the side netting with a goal attempt. The South Mayo men made no mistake second time around when Kevin Feerick teed up Conor Keane who sent his shot between the posts and into the net. Stephen O’Malley then pointed from an acute angle before Hollymount/Carramore’s dynamic duo of Keane and Coen forced two excellent saves from Brendan Walsh on two separate occasions.
When the ball going into Keane and Coen dried up, we proceeded to pull ahead. Five successive scores from Brian Walsh, Ciaran Gavin, Cillian O’Connor, Jason Gibbons and Stephen O’Malley pushed the Abbeysiders into a six-point lead. Points from Robert Molloy and Dylan Jennings were promptly cancelled out by a pair of scores from Cillian O’Connor, meaning we lead 1-9 to 1-3 at half time.
The tempo of the game dropped a few gears in the second half, with both teams defending and attacking in big numbers. Substitute Padraic O’Connor landed our first point before Conor Keane pointed for Holly’ after some good work by Stephen Coen. Stephen’s cousin Darren added his first point from play while Keane landed a fine point later on. Despite big shifts from likes of Kevin Feerick, Robert Molloy and Stephen Coen, the home side lacked a cutting edge upfront and were too dependent on Darren Coen and Conor Keane for scores.
Frees from Ciaran Gavin and Cillian O’Connor kept the Abbeysiders comfortably in front before Hollymount/Carrmore’s Nathan Moran was red-carded.
Despite being a man down, the home side managed to land points from Darren Coen and wing-back Dylan Jennings. With a minute remaining and the result settled, Coen gave spectators a reminder of why he is in James Horan’s plans when he somehow threaded a shot into the net past through two Ballintubber defenders and goalkeeper Brendan Walsh.
This coming Saturday sees us travel to Ballina to take on Belmullet in the Quarter-Final of the Mayo Senior Football Championship. Ar aghaidh linn le chéile!
Ballintubber team: Brendan Walsh, Gary Loftus, Brian Murphy, Myles Kelly, Damien Coleman, Michael Plunkett, Ruaidhri O’Connor, Jason Gibbons (0-1), Diarmuid O’Connor, Ciarán Gavin (0-2, 2f), Alan Dillon, Brian Walsh (0-1), Noel Geraghty (0-1), Cillian O’Connor (1-4, 2f), Stephen O’Malley (0-3)
Substitutions used: Padraic O’Connor (0-1) for Noel Geraghty, Joe Geraghty for Gary Loftus, Alan Plunkett for Diarmuid O’Connor, Keelan McDonnell for Alan Dillon, Noel Geraghty for Cillian O’Connor

Junior A Championship Q/Final

by Brian Murphy
September 8th 2019
Mayo Junior Football Championship
Ballintubber 0-8 Ardagh 1-8
Despite a brave effort, it just wasn’t to be for our Juniors as we fell just short against Ardagh in Swinford today. With both teams finishing with 14 players each, this was a proper winner-take-all affair, played in a full-blooded and physical manner. In the end, we couldn’t cancel out Ardagh’s only goal which came when Mayo forward James Carr nearly burst the net with a penalty kick before half-time.
Regardless, this has undoubtedly been our Juniors’ best campaign for many years. A number of our younger players have come on leaps and bounds, with some lads almost certain to become staples of the Senior team in years to come. Similarly, our more experienced players rolled back the years on several occasions and provided enormous leadership throughout the league and championship campaign. In the white heat of championship, it was a day on which boys became men, with youngsters like Finian Bourke, Jack Walsh, Matthew Fox and Alan McHale all giving fine accounts of themselves. The experienced heads of Tom Earley, Stephen Broderick and Paul Earley certainly weren’t found wanting either and provided steadying hands throughout.
Having been arguably the better team in the first half, we let ourselves down somewhat in the second half with inaccuracy and poor decision-making at crucial moments. Were it not for some occasional mistakes and poor shot selection, we had the winning of this game throughout. We had started brightly with three successive scores from Alan McHale and Matthew Fox. Ardagh’s Kevin Moran had just pointed their opening score before their wing-back Declan Kelly was sent-off for receiving two yellow cards in the space of two minutes.
With the Red and White now a man up, we added a fourth point through a Matthew Fox free before Kevin Moran and James Carr shared a point each. The aforementioned Carr caused trouble with his direct running whenever he got possession, but a well-organised Ballintubber defence would hold him to two scores from play.
We went two ahead once more when Minor panellist Alan McHale converted a tidy ’45. However, disaster struck when Alan Larkin was black-carded and then subsequently red-carded for dissent three minutes before half-time. We were dealt a second blow when Ardagh’s Dean Martin was fouled in the box, with James Carr proceeding to blast the resulting penalty past Niall Staunton.
Now leading for the first time, the half-time score read 1-3 to 0-5 in Ardagh’s favour. The North Mayo men went two in front when the lively Kevin Moran pointed the first score of the second half with a free. As tough tackling was dealt and received by both teams, the Abbeysiders found scores hard to come by. Hugh Geraghty pointed what would be our only point from play in the second half as we begin to let ourselves down with some poor shooting.
While a number of yellow cards were flashed, Ballintubber’s Alan McHale was then black-carded quite harshly heading into the final quarter. Neither team managed to really throw off the shackles, but Ardagh kept their noses in front with a well-taken free from the ground by James Carr. Matthew Fox added two frees for us, but a free from Kevin Moran at the other end ensured that we remained a single point adrift.
With victory there for the taking, Ardagh punished us ruthlessly when a wayward hand-pass was intercepted by substitute Enda Flanagan, who proceeded to land a crucial score from the right-hand side. Brendan Carr then capped an excellent display with when he pointed the insurance score to send Ardagh through to the semi-finals with three to spare.
Ballintubber team that lined out: (1)Niall Staunton (2)Jack Walsh (3)Kevin Shannon (4)Finian Bourke (5)Jarlath Staunton (6)Paul Earley (7)John Kerrigan (8)David McHale (9)Tom Earley (10)Stephen Broderick (11)Hugh Geraghty (0-1) (12)Seanie Larkin (13)Matthew Fox (0-5, 3f) (14)Alan Larkin (15)Alan McHale (0-2, 1 ’45)
Substitutions used: Gavin Roache for Alan McHale (Black Card), Dean Loftus for Hugh Geraghty

Senior Championship Game 3

by Brian Murphy

August 7th 2019

Mayo Senior Football Championship Round 3

Ballintubber 1-12 Garrymore 2-12

It was a case of “two steps forward and one step back” for our Seniors today as we progressed to the Quarter Finals of the Mayo Senior Football Championship despite losing to Garrymore. With progression to the knockout stages already assured beforehand, Kevin Johnson’s men have topped the group while Knockmore’s defeat of Hollymount/Carramore gave them safe passage to the next round.

The final score may have suggested a tighter game but this was certainly not the case. With our lads lining out without Alan Dillon and Diarmuid O’Connor, Garrymore dominated this game from the start. To their credit, ‘Garry’ gave a fine performance and will undoubtedly feel unlucky that their 2019 Championship journey is at an end. Their forwards clicked well as a unit while the likes of Shane Nally, Gary Golden, Caolan Crowe and a number of other players gave fine individual displays.

Two key first-half goals from Gary Golden and Shane Nally proved key for the South Mayo men as we frequently struggled to create chances and win primary possession. Although our lads kept within a few points of them for the entire game, we never looked like clawing back the lead. We found Garrymore’s defensive system difficult to break down while our opponents controlled possession well and created many more scoring chances.

Garry’ started both halves brightly with three unanswered scores from an even spread of players. Our first and only goal came against the run of play when a point attempt from Damien Coleman fell short to Ciarán Gavin who fisted to the net to level the game. The Mayo U20 panellist then landed two quick points to give us a very short-lived lead. Our opponents fought back ruthlessly and it wasn’t long before Gary Golden shook the net with a rebound after Gary Loftus had valiantly blocked Paul Deely’s effort on the line.

Our best spell of the game followed shortly as Keelan McDonnell, Bryan Walsh and Stephen O’Malley landed three unanswered scores. A Cillian O’Connor free briefly gave us the lead before the excellent Shane Nally drove up the middle before blasting an absolute rocket to the net past Brendan Walsh. A single point from Darren Quinn saw Garry’ run in at half-time with a deserved 2-6 to 1-6 lead.

As they had done in the first half, our opponents burst out of the traps from the throw-in. Brendan Cunningham fisted a point before Shane Nally added two more scores, including an outrageous over-the-shoulder effort from the left-hand side.

Certainly not found wanting for effort, we had our only genuine goal chance of the second half when Michael Plunkett drove a goal attempt up and over the bar. Ciaran Gavin and Bryan Walsh added two points from close range, but we still trailed by four.

Caolan Crowe added his second score of the day and would outscore Cillian O’Connor from play by the finish. A score from the lively Enda Hession put Garry’ five in front, and it became all the more obvious that they had this one wrapped up. In the face of a very tight Garrymore defence, we managed to land three scores through Ciarán Gavin, Noel Geraghty and Cillian O’Connor, leaving three between us at full-time.

 On a day in which Garrymore’s big players stood up to be counted, their three-point winning margin was arguably an unfair reflection of their dominance. Nonetheless, despite today’s setback, the Quarter Finals  beckon once more for Kevin Johnson’s men. An Tobair Abú!

 

Ballintubber team that lined out: (1)Brendan Walsh (2)Gary Loftus (3)Joe Geraghty (4)Brian Murphy (5)Damien Coleman (19)Ruaidhri O’Connor (7)Myles Kelly (8)Jason Gibbons (6)Michael Plunkett (0-1) (10)Ciaran Gavin (1-3, 1f) (21)Keelan McDonnell (0-1) (12)Bryan Walsh (0-2) (13)Padraig O’Connor (14)Cillian O’Connor (0-3, 3f) (15)Stephen O’Malley (0-1)

Substitutions used: Noel Geraghty (0-1) for Padraig O’Connor

 

U16 A West Mayo Championship

by Brian Murphy
U16 A West Mayo Championship

August 25th 2019

U16 ‘A’ West Mayo Championship

Ballintubber 2-12 Castlebar Mitchels 4-13

Our U16s lost out to Castlebar Mitchels in an entertaining clash in pleasant conditions in Clogher this evening. The gap between the two sides was arguably narrower than the final score suggests, but Mitchels were undoubtedly the better team. They made far better use of the ball in possession and would kill the game with three second half goals from Mark Cunningham and Peter Basquel.

Despite a number of fine displays, we did ourselves no favours at times with some poor passing and inaccuracy from placed balls. Josh Mahon excelled for the Red and White at full-forward and midfield while Stephen Burke was superb throughout the entire game. However, their efforts weren’t enough as Mitchels were simply too strong for us in the end.

A fairly even first half saw us match Mitchels’ tally of 1-5 before the break. Caoibhlinn Flatley pointed the opening score before Josh Mahon goaled when he sent a looping shot into the top corner of the net. Mitchels soon responded with a point from play before the excellent Eoin Hughes landed their first goal, reducing the deficit to one.

The remainder of the half saw both sides trade scores with neither gaining a notable foothold. The similarity between the two sets of jerseys’ led to a few occasional misplaced passes on our part. Stephen Burke clocked up two points before half-time, including one superb solo effort. Wing-back Luke Biggins also raised a white flag while a fine Josh Mahon from a tight angle levelled the game before half-time.

The introduction of Mark Cunningham and Peter Basquel for Castlebar Mitchels made a huge difference in the second half. Five minutes had elapsed when Cunningham ran through the middle before firing home his sides second goal, putting Mitchels three in front. As our opponents began to hit their stride, we hampered our own efforts with some poor passing and decision-making. We also failed to make any significant headway from any of the free kicks which we were awarded.

Despite a warrior-like display from Stephen Burke at midfield, Mitchels continued to nose ahead. ‘Tubber goalkeeper Matthew Coyne produced two excellent saves in less than five seconds at one point as Mitchels really hit their stride. A badly-needed Josh Mahon point pulled us back to within four points mid-way through the second half while we still very much in contention. Mitchels’ star man Eoin Hughes then pointed a free before substitute Peter Basquel got on the end of a flowing move to soccer-style the ball past Matthew Coyne.

Although this had dealt us a considerable blow, Ballintubber’s dynamic duo of Burke and Mahon stood up to the plate. The two of them gave the opposition the perfect response when they combined for Burke to drive through a number of Mitchels bodies before rifling home our second goal. Another point from the outstanding Burke brought the gap back to four. However, Peter Basquel’s second goal minutes from the end meant victory for the Mitchels was all but assured. Substitute Jamsie Lally and Josh Mahon added a point each before the finish, but it was the lads from Castlebar who ran out winners with seven points to spare.

Ballintubber team that lined out: (1)Matthew Coyne (2)Martin Fox (3)Darragh Joyce (4)Jack Prendergast (5)Ciaran Heneghan (6)James King (7)Luke Biggins (0-1) (8)Stephen Burke (1-5) (9)Cillian Joyce (10)Sean Duffy (11)Caoibhlinn Flatley (0-2) (12)Dean O’Malley (13)Cathal Flannery (1-3, 1f) (15)Noah Corbett

Substitutions used: Nathan Gibbons for Dean O’Malley, Jamsie Lally (0-1) for Cathal Flannery, Brendan McNally for Noah Corbett

Senior Championship Round 2

by Brian Murphy
Senior Championship Round 2

August 24th 2019

Mayo Senior Football Championship Round 2

Ballintubber 2-10 Knockmore 1-8

Our seniors have made it two wins from two in the Mayo Senior Football Championship today as we accounted for Knockmore in Ballintubber this afternoon. With another good performance under our belts, Kevin Johnson’s men have all but secured their passage to the knockout stages of the 2019 championship. Our current and former Mayo players all stood out while in a game in which our use of possession, midfield and kicking accuracy were superior.

Although this game was sometimes below championship tempo, we never let the lead slip once. Even when Knockmore levelled the game in the second half through a sudden Darren McHale goal, we managed to keep them at arm’s length. Having played a long-kicking game in the first half, we then switched to a running game which resulted in goals from Damien Coleman and Stephen O’Malley. This gave us breathing room in the face of a plucky Knockmore outfit who arguably failed to get the best out of some of their key men.

With Cillian O’ Connor spearheading the attack impressively we lead 0-7 to 0-4 at half time. In the face of a defensive Knockmore set-up, we didn’t create any serious goal chances but did enough to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Knockmore did level the game at one point early in the second half through Darren McHale. From almost out of nowhere, the Knockmore centre-forward rifled a low shot past Brendan Walsh to equalise for the North Mayo men. However, our experience stood us in good stead as Cillian O’Connor pointed two frees to nudge us back in front.

With both Aidan Kilcoyne and Brendan Walsh constantly kicking long, Jason Gibbons and Diarmuid O’Connor continued to win primary possession around the middle. With Kevin McLoughlin playing a more defensive role, Mayo U-20 Aiden Orme was the main man for the visitors, asking serious questions of our defence. However Brian Murphy and Joe Geraghty successfully nullified their main scoring threats in Keith Ruttledge and Colm Reape.

Our first and most crucial goal came midway through the second half. Cillian O’Connor found himself close to goal before brilliantly picking out Damien Coleman with a hand pass before our captain fisted the ball into the net. O’Connor would add another free before Connell Dempsey and Peter Naughton reduced the deficit to three points.

We made certain of the result with five minutes remaining when Jason Gibbons drove up the middle before passing to Stephen O’Malley. The corner-forward then got himself into position before firing a low shot past Aidan Kilcoyne. Knockmore’s Peter Naughton pointed the last score of the game, but the result was in the bag.

Ballintubber team that line out: (1)Brendan Walsh (2)Gary Loftus (3)Joe Geraghty (4)Brian Murphy (5)Damien Coleman (1-0) (6)Michael Plunkett (0-1) (7)Myles Kelly (8)Jason Gibbons (9)Diarmuid O’Connor (0-1) (10)Ciaran Gavin (11)Alan Dillon (12)Bryan Walsh (0-1) (13)Padraig O’Connor (14)Cillian O’Connor (0-6, 5f) (15)Stephen O’Malley (1-1)

Substitutions used: Noel Geraghty for Padraig O’Connor, Keelan McDonnell for Ciaran Gavin

League Div 1 Ballintubber v Kiltimagh

by Brian Murphy

Mayo Senior League Division 1

Ballintubber 2-15 Kiltimagh 1-3

Our seniors looked primed and ready for the Championship as we  secure an emphatic League win over Kiltimagh yesterday evening. A first-half scoring blitz with the wind at our backs left us 2-11 to 1-1 ahead, with the scores spread across all six of our starting forwards. As a brief but nasty rain shower fell, goals from Ciarán Gavin and Cillian O’Connor left this fixture done and dusted at half-time. Despite our opponents’ unwavering work ethic, two points were all our miserly defence yielded to them in the second half.

Based on this performance, Kevin Johnson’s charges look to be in peak condition as we soon begin Phase 2 of the defence of our county title. The return of Brian Murphy from Canada and Michael Plunkett and Cillian and Diarmuid O’Connor from Mayo duties was a huge boost, but this was an excellent all-round team performance.

Fielding our strongest team in many months, we took the game to the opposition from the very beginning. We pointed three unanswered scores from Stephen O’Malley and Cillian and Diarmuid O’Connor before Kiltimagh had their best passage of play. Corner-forward Eoin Lavin pointed their opener from the left before stole in behind our defence to put a goal past Brendan Walsh. However, this was as good as it got for the East Mayo side as they failed to score again until the last ten minutes of the game.

In the meantime we sailed in front as our forwards reeled off numerous unanswered scores. Cillian O’Connor acted a menacing target man for our attacks, but a noble display from Kiltimagh’s Kevin Moran curtailed some of his influence. Nonetheless, Mayo’s all-time leading scorer was flawless on the dead balls, finishing with three pointed frees in both halves.

In spite of a heavy shower of rain, we netted two very similar goals in the last five minutes of the first half, leaving victory all but assured. The first came when Ciarán Gavin got a fist to a long ball from Alan Dillon before another high ball from Jason Gibbons man was turned in by Cillian O’Connor.

With us holding commanding sixteen-point lead, Kiltimagh retreated into a more defensive formation. However, our patient build-up play meant we conceded very few turnovers as we remained in total control. Our mean defending ensured that the visitors didn’t score until late in the second half when Eoin Lavin’s ‘Hail Mary’ was tipped over the cross-bar by Brendan Walsh.

Eyes were undoubtedly cast on next week’s Senior and Intermediate Championships, both teams ran their benches. Brian Murphy made a welcome return to the Red and White jersey for his first appearance since the Connacht final last Novemeber.

Kiltimagh’s Eoin Carroll and Cillian Finn showed well after being introduced while veteran Gary Mallee managed their only other score from an acute angle. The sum of our second-half scoring consisted of three Cillian O’Connor frees while the excellent Ciaran Gavin and Jason Gibbons shared a point each.

 

 

Ballintubber team that lined out: (1)Brendan Walsh (2) Gary Loftus (3)Joe Geraghty (4)Finian Bourke (5)Damien Coleman (6)Michael Plunkett (7)Myles Kelly (8)Jason Gibbons (0-1) (9)Ciarán Gavin (1-1) (10)Noel Geraghty (0-2) (11)Alan Dillon (0-1) (12)Diarmuid O’Connor (0-2) (13)Padraic O’Connor (0-1) (14)Cillian O’Connor (1-6, 6f) (15)Stephen O’Malley (0-1)

Substitutions used: Keelan McDonnell for Diarmuid O’Connor, Brian Murphy for Finian Bourke, Jarlath Staunton for Alan Dillon, Hugh Geraghty for Noel Geraghty, John Kerrigan for Damien Coleman,

Kiltimagh team: Michael Schlingermann, Conor Gallagher, Kevin Mulderrig, Sean Moran, Jason Forkan, Conor Heneghan, Liam Kelly, Paul Kelly, Sean Walsh, Sean Forkan, Tomás Keegan, Conor Mallee, Cian Gallagher, Rory Grogan, Eoin Lavin (1-2)

Substitutions used: Dylan Roache for Sean Forkan, Stephen McDonnell for Conor Heneghan, Ronan Mallee (0-1) for Rory Grogan, Cillian Finn for Liam Kelly, Eoin Carroll for Liam Kelly, Gary Regan for Sean Moran

West Mayo U14B Final

by Brian Murphy
West Mayo U14B Final

June 15th 2019 – West Mayo U-14 B Final

Ballintubber 3-6 Breaffy 2-18

They put in a brave effort, but it just wasn’t to be for our U-14s who fell short to a superior Breaffy outfit in the West Mayo B Final in Parke yesterday evening. Our lads never gave in, but Breaffy held a commanding lead for nearly the entire game and were by far the better team. Time and time again, our neighbours forced turnovers high up the field and use this as a springboard for numerous attacks. A number of unforced errors on our part certainly didn’t help our cause, but our opponents were superior up front in any case.

Trailing 1-2 to 0-11 at half-time, two second half goals from Breaffy’s Patrick Hopkins and Robert Callaghan killed any hopes of a Ballintubber revival. Wing-back Darragh Duffy had converted an penalty on the half after Gavin Murphy was fouled in the box. Our only other scores of the entire half came late on when Jamie Gibbons and Sean Hynes shared a point each. We struggled to get the ball up the field and Breaffy capitalised on our many mistakes, pointing 0-11 before the break. Full-forward Patrick Hopkins had also come very close to hitting the Ballintubber net when his low shot rattled of the upright and wide.

With Breaffy in a comfortable position going into the third quarter, Paul Breslin’s charges never lay down. Our U-14s honoured the Red and White jersey with a ferocious work ethic which didn’t translate into sufficient scores. The numerous misplaced passes we executed in our own half were frequently mopped up by a rampant Breaffy side. This meant that players like Mark Ward, Jack Canny and Patrick Hopkins made hay all evening when the ball came their way.

Four second-half points shared between Jamie Gibbons and Rory Cunningham were no match for Breaffy’s superior scoring power. Indeed, but for a number of impressive saves from ‘Tubber’s Shane Malone, our opponents could well have raised one or two more green flags.

With our neighbours having clocked up 2-16 by the 50th minute, it looked like annihilation was on the cards. However a good solo run from centre-forward Jack Prendergast resulted in a penalty which Darren Duffy duly converted. Our best move of the game came right at the death when Michael Donnelly cleverly fed Jamie Gibbons who blasted the ball to the net from close range. It was good honest effort from our lads, but Breaffy had looked like the winners from early on. And so it finished up as our local rivals ran out deserved winners in this latest meeting of the two parishes.

Ballintubber team that lined out: (1)Shane Malone (2)Donal Behan (3)Brendan McNally (0-4)Jamie Igoe (5)Michael Donnelly (6)Rory Cunningham (0-1, 1f) (7)Darragh Duffy (2-0, 2p) (8)Eoghan Breslin (9)Oisín Brady (10)Sean Hynes (0-1) (11)Jack Prendergast (12)Gavin Murphy (13)Jamie Gibbons (1-4, 1f) (14)James Ryan (15)Rhys Jones

Substitutions used: Sean Mannion for Gavin Murphy, Cathal Fahy for James Ryan, Daniel Malone for Jamie Gibbons, Dylan Jordan for Eoghan Breslin

Senior League Div 4

by Brian Murphy

Mayo Senior League Division 4

Ballintubber 2-10 Kilmovee Shamrocks 0-9

Our Juniors claimed two valuable league points at home today with a convincing win over Kilmovee. With a few lads playing their second game in 18 hours, our Juniors mirrored the assured performance given by the Seniors the previous day.

Youngsters Jack Walsh and Finian Bourke and Finian Bourke bore no signs of fatigue from the previous day as they helped man a tough, sturdy Ballintubber defence. Our work rate never wavered throughout as we frequently turned over ball while our scoring tally was spread evenly across seven different players. Well-taken goals in either half from Matthew Fox and Hugh Geraghty kept our noses well ahead for most of the game as Kilmovee trailed for all but the first 10 minutes.

The East Mayo men had gotten off to a good start as Ciaran Sweeney and Darren Dunleavy landed three scores to cancel out a Matthew Fox point. Fox would soon turn provider for a crucial score when his lateral fist pass found Hugh Geraghty who adjusted his feet to fire home a three-pointer. From then on we were well in control of proceedings as Alan McHale and Seanie Larkin shared three scores between them.

While we converted most of our chances, Kilmovee were somewhat wasteful at the other end. A pair of scores from former Mayo Minor Oisín Horan saw the Shamrocks trialing 0-5 to 1-4 at the break.

Kilmovee’s ambitions were then dealt another blow when Matthew Fox got on the end of a loose ball before blasting the ball home to the roof of the net. With the scores now reading 2-5 to 0-5 in our favour, we rattled off four unanswered scores to lead by nine points. Our full-forward line looked lively and  gave the opposition plenty to think about.

The visitors pointed three more scores before the end in spite of some poor shooting on their part. However, a point each from Ray Geraghty and substitute Alan Larkin ensured that we saw off the opposition with seven points to spare.

 

Ballintubber team that lined out: (1)John Noonan (2)Jack Walsh (3)Finian Bourke (4)Liam Feeney (5)Jarlath Staunton (6)Paul Earley (7)John Kerrigan (8)Stephen Broderick (9)David McHale (0-1) (10)Gavin Roache (11)Hugh Geraghty (1-1) (12)Seanie Larkin (0-2) (17)Matthew Fox (1-1) (14)Ray Geraghty (0-2) (15)Alan McHale (0-2)

Substitutions used: Noel Geraghty for Jarlath Staunton, Alan Larkin (0-1) for Seanie Alan McHale, James McGing for Seanie Larkin, Seanie Larkin for James McGing, Seamus Thomas for Gavin Roache

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