Ballina’s belief carries the day
In real terms, however, victory for Ballina Stephenites was fashioned over the course of the entire second half with much improved form and an admirable show of self-belief rare enough from Mayo teams. And, while they were undoubtedly lucky in the end not to lose the lead secured in the 58th minute by Liam Brady's superbly kicked 55 yards free, a steely determination to avenge their 1999 defeat was richly rewarded.
Certainly, Ballina needed be convinced of their ability to win a first title, because their form in the semi-final against Kilmurry-Ibrickane had been anything but impressive and Portlaoise came into the game with impressive credentials.
And, the Connacht champions (who were assisted in their preparations by ex-Galway manager John O'Mahony) had to overcome the blow of conceding a 15th minute penalty at a stage when they were beginning to take over. However, their luck changed when Stephen Hughes goaled five minutes after the resumption and it set the scene for a fascinating duel which had the effect of redeeming the game as a contest after a dull opening half.
Assisted by the breeze from the throw-in, Ballina made the better start, going two points clear after five minutes and staying in front until Kevin Fitzpatrick's penalty gave the Laois champions the lead for the first time ten minutes later.
In that opening quarter, it was notable that the Portlaoise attack never really clicked and were dependant on the free-taking of Peter McNulty. Specifically, team captain Colm Parkinson was rarely involved in the play at full-forward, while Ian Fitzgerald (who might have been limited after a muscle injury) wasn't making much progress either in the centre. The fact that Parkinson was never to make the type of impact expected of him over the hour due as much to the lack of rhythm in the Portlaoise play as to the excellent man-marking of full-back Martin Wynne was to have a crucial bearing on the outcome.
The penalty award was well-merited, except that the initial foul by corner-back James Devenney appeared to be made just outside the square. It meant that Stephenites trailed all the way to the interval in spite of the fact that they had plenty of possession in attack. This resulted from strong play in their half-back line where team captain Brian Ruane was a key figure and the dominance of Ronan McGarrity and David Brady at midfield. The fact that they were limited to just six points over the half was partly explained by an obsession with hand-passing.
Portlaoise were more direct, with McNulty and Craig Rogers both getting through a lot of good work in the corners and they fully deserved to finish the half ahead, 1-5 to 0-6.
The second half was a mere 20 seconds in motion when Parkinson scored with a fisted pass after running onto a long clearance. However, that promise was never to be fulfilled, with Wynne continuing to track him relentlessly and being able to clear a lot of ball in the process. And, when two good points kicked from play were followed by a 35th minute goal from Stephen Hughes (made by substitute Patrick McHale), Ballina were back in front. In another two minutes Brian McCormack narrowed the deficit to a point with a marvellous kick from the left and, during the game's most competitive phase, there wasn't another score for eight minutes.
That came from Ballina, from Ruane, and it could have disheartened Portlaoise but for the fact that Kevin Fitzpatrick goaled with a powerful shot immediately afterwards to restore their advantage. Entering the last ten minutes and only a point in it, serious questions were being asked of both teams and particularly Ballina because of the matter of their defeat by this margin to Crossmaglen six years ago.
As Portlaoise supporters waited forlornly for a touch of Parkinson magic, the initiative moved to Ballina when Patrick Harte, now heavily influential on the wing, kicked a levelling score.
That was in the 51st minute and after Liam Brady made a poor effort at kicking over a fifty, he more than made amends with a perfectly judged kick from slightly longer, with two minutes of normal time remaining.
It turned out to be the winning score because Portlaoise failed to capitalise on a McNulty-inspired move shortly afterwards, which ended with replacement defender Aidan Tighe stopping a weak shot on the goal-line. After that Harte made a marvellous high catch in his own goalmouth from an angled Fitzpatrick free out on the left wing. A jubilant Ballina, by now assured of the title, held possession for the last minute and there was just no way back for Portlaoise.
Brian Crowe did a very good job of refereeing. He was firm, decisive and always in control.
Scorers: Ballina L. Brady 0-5 (0-3 frees); S. Hughes 1-0; P. Harte 0-2; B. Ruane, D. Brady, P. McHale, E. Casey and G. Brady 0-1 each.
Portlaoise: K. Fitzpatrick 2-0 (1-0 pen); P. McNulty 0-4 (0-3 frees); C. Rogers, C. Parkinson, B. McCormack and B. Fitzgerald 0-1 each.
BALLINA: J. Healy; J. Devenney, M. Wynne, C. Leonard; B. Ruane (capt.), S. Sweeney, S. Melia; R. McGarrity, D. Brady; P. Harte, G. Brady, E. Casey; P. McGarry, L. Brady, S. Hughes. Subs: P. McHale for Melia (27th minute); E. Devenney for McGarry (42nd); A. Tighe for Leonard (54th).
PORTLAOISE: M. Nolan; T. Fitzgerald, C. Byrne, E. Bland; B. Mulligan, C. Healy, A. Fennelly; M. Delaney, B. Fitzgerald; B. McCormack, I. Fitzgerald, K. Fitzpatrick; P. McNulty, C. Parkinson (capt.), C. Rogers. Sub: M. Fennelly for Delaney (43rd).
Referee: B. Crowe (Cavan).
+Attendance 31,236 (last year 38,500).
