Mayo Super League

By Patrick Hennelly

Ballyheane 1

Ballinrobe Town 0

BALLINROBE TOWN’S disappointing form continued at Pat Quigley Park on Sunday afternoon, as the red and white suffered their third defeat of the league campaign, against an in-form Ballyheane.

In a game which was decided by a solitary strike, Ballyheane will realise that they were fortuitous in securing the victory, as Ballinrobe deserved a share of the spoils. Still, it is only a matter of time before lady luck smiles upon Martin McDonald’s troops, and if they can maintain their work-rate and commitment during matches, then a valuable three points could be around the corner.

Ballyheane were determined to make home advantage count and on 14 minutes, Matthew Conroy tested the alertness of Damien Fitzpatrick, as the Ballinrobe custodian was forced to make a tidy save.

Four minutes later, it was the turn of the visitors to create a decent opportunity. The industrious Shane Donnellan released Damien Walsh and the midfielder was unlucky to see his sizzling strike expertly turned behind for a corner-kick by Sean Fahy. Nicky Moran took the resultant corner, with J. P. O’Gorman causing the hosts defence to worry momentarily, but his close-range header flew narrowly over the bar.

Ballinrobe played with some purpose during the remainder of the half and their best chance of the aforementioned period occurred on 29 minutes; however Kevin Keane’s long-range strike fizzed inches wide of the mark.

Eleven minutes into the second half, the green and black rustled the back of the Ballinrobe net. An in-swinging corner-kick from Alan McHugh, found Ashley Stephenson and the experienced striker splendidly guided the ball to the back of Fitzpatrick’s net.

Ballinrobe could well have restored parity though on 59 minutes, but after impressively winning possession, Nicky Moran saw his angled drive sizzle narrowly wide.

Things took a turn for the worst for the hosts on 79 minutes, as Ballyheane were reduced to 10 men, as David Sheridan and Town’s Shane O’Malley had an off the ball tussle, with the former receiving a second yellow followed by a red card, as the latter picked up a booking.

With the numerical advantage, Ballinrobe upped it a notch and second half substitute Pawel Kurleto, along with fellow substitute Padraig Feerick, caused consternation for their West Mayo opponents.

A delightful ball from Kurleto on 84 minutes, was won by Ryan but the winger saw his effort go the wrong side of Fahy’s posts.

With full-time looming, the red and white almost filched a share of the spoils. The hard-working Ryan released O’Gorman but after cutting inside the area, the latter’s delicate chip tailed agonisingly off target, much to the dismay of the away bench.

In the end, Ballyheane hung on to collect another valuable three points, as the Pat Quigley Park outfit maintained their impressive form of late. 

Ballyheane: Sean Fahy, Greg Flynn, Alan McKenna, Padraig Munroe, Peter Burke, John Kelly, Theorin Coghill, Matthew Conroy, Ashley Stephenson, David Sheridan, Alan McHugh.

Subs: Mark McLoughlin for McHugh (inj, 66), Johnny Ooston for McKenna (76).

Ballinrobe Town: Damien Fitzpatrick, Shane Donnellan, Maurice Walsh, Dave McDonnell, Shane O’Malley, Kevin Keane, J. P. O’Gorman, Damien Walsh, James McTigue, Nicky Moran, Shane Ryan.

Subs: Pawel Kurleto for Moran (69), Padraig Feerick for Donnellan (83).

Referee: Tony Cosgrove.