Mayo Super League

By Patrick Hennelly

Snugboro United 3 Ballinrobe Town 1

HIGH-FLYING Snugboro United maintained their impressive form when they overcame a brave Ballinrobe Town effort on Saturday evening, at Conway Park.

Ballinrobe played with a lot of purpose and diligence in this joust and if they can repeat similar performances, then vital league points could well follow.

In Sean Curry, Snugboro had the match-winner and his impressive second half hat-trick proved vital in the end, as it turned around a one goal half-time deficit for Johan Collins’ charges.

Dave Roughneen had a decent opportunity on nine minutes but his long-range effort flew harmlessly wide of the mark.

On 17 minutes, a defensive mistake from Ballinrobe almost allowed United the opportunity to pinch the advantage. However, Wally Flynn’s speculative dipping strike was expertly tipped over the crossbar by the retreating Damien Fitzpatrick, who atoned for his earlier punched clearance, which led to the United chance.

Ballinrobe, led by some impressive defending from Shane O’Malley and Dave McDonnell, and midfielders Brian Conroy and Pat Delaney, who both worked tirelessly throughout, were coping admirably with the hosts attacking forays.

Snugboro were left ruing their luck on 45 minutes, when a Steven Gavin corner-kick found Roughneen who was most unfortunate to see his close-range header flash inches wide.

Then, just before the break, Ballinrobe found the back of the United net. J. P. O’Gorman won possession and after a quick run he unleashed a spectacular 35 yard strike which nestled in the back of Leo Coyne’s net, much to the delight of his team-mates.

It was imperative that Ballinrobe maintain their watertight defending for the opening quarter of the second period, if they hoped to cause an upset. However, on 49 minutes parity was restored. The experienced Russell Gibbons cut inside the area and he set-up Sean Curry, who applied a simple close-range finish, much to the delight of the home faithful.

On 52 and 59 minutes respectively, Fitzpatrick thwarted efforts from Paul Curry as the Ballinrobe custodian expertly turned the drives behind his posts.

On 61 minutes though, Fitzpatrick was powerless to prevent Snugboro from taking the lead. A dangerous cross from Barry McLoughlin flew across the face of the Ballinrobe goal and the poaching Sean Curry was on hand to gleefully tap the ball to the back of the net.

Ballinrobe were dealt a blow soon after, as Fitzpatrick had to be substituted due to an injury and he was replaced by Kevin Connolly.

On 81 minutes, Connolly was called into action as he advanced from his goal-line to smother Sean Curry’s attempt at netting a third Snugboro goal.

However, two minutes later the hosts netted their third goal of the evening, which helped secure the vital three points. A superb right-wing cross from Gavin, fell kindly for Sean Curry and from close-range; the latter collected his memorable hat-trick.

The players to the fore for Snugboro on the day were, Paul Walsh, Steven Gavin and Sean Curry. Whilst for Ballinrobe, Brain Conroy, Pat Delaney and James McTigue all impressed.  

Snugboro United: L. Coyne, E. Conway, A. Healy, P. Walsh, W. Flynn, B. McLoughlin, R. Gibbons, S. Gavin, D. Roughneen, S. Curry, P. Curry.

Subs: D. Duffy for Flynn, J. McCarthy for Gibbons, J. McConnell for P. Curry.

Ballinrobe Town: D. Fitzpatrick, S. Donnellan, B. Grimes, S. O’Malley, D. McDonnell, B. Conroy, P. Delaney, J. McTigue, P. Sweeney, J. P. O’Gorman, P. McDonald.

Subs: K. Connolly for Fitzpatrick (inj), B. Gibbons for McDonald.

Referee: M. Regan.