’Tubber still on course for title

AN outstanding display from Mayo sharpshooter Cillian O’Connor helped ease defending champions Ballintubber through to the Mayo SFC semi-finals yesterday.

The 19-year-old landed 0-7 as the holders overcame Shrule/Glencorrib by 0-13 to 1-7 in an entertaining quarter-final at MacHale Park, Castlebar. Ballintubber started well, and five points from the aforementioned O’Connor provided the backbone to their 0-7 to 0-2 lead at the change of ends.

Anthony McGarry’s side had pulled eight points clear after 49 minutes. However, Conor Mortimer, who ended the match with six points, inspired a late rally from Shrule/Glencorrib which also included a late goal flicked to the net by Eoin Ronaldson.

This purple patch came too late to affect the final outcome though, and Ballintubber ran out deserving winners.

“We have a lot of improving to do,” remarked Anthony McGarry afterwards.

“We gave away a lot of ball at crucial times and Shrule made life very difficult for us all through. But we’re on a good run of results at the moment and it’s always easier to go back to training after winning a game like this.”

Things were just as interesting in the fourth quarter-final as last year’s beaten finalists, Castlebar Mitchels, came with a late burst to beat Crossmolina.

A Danny Kirby goal in the 54th minute proved decisive in the end as the Mitchels ran out 2-10 to 1-9 winners after a hard-fought, tactical battle.

Former Mayo managers Pat Holmes (Castlebar) and John Maughan (Crossmolina) were pitting their wits against each other in the sideline, and there was very little between the teams all through.

A brilliant goal from Ciarán McDonald gave Crossmolina an early advantage but this was cancelled out by Danny Kirby’s first green flag in the 27th minute. The sides were deadlocked at half-time (1-4 apiece) and the game remained in doubt heading into the final ten minutes.

However, Castlebar engineered a magnificent goal by Kirby to make the decisive break and late points from Niall Lydon and Kevin Filan broke Crossmolina’s resistance.

Meanwhile, Knockmore had to withstand a late rally from Ballaghaderreen before booking their semi-final place on Saturday evening.

Ray Dempsey’s side emerged two-point winners (2-9 to 2-7) but only after surviving a Ballagh’ onslaught in the final quarter.

Knockmore led by nine points after 47 minutes but two goals from Mayo’s Andy Moran set up a dramatic finale. Ballaghaderreen could, and probably should, have drawn level but were left to rue misses from Barry Regan and Moran.

Knockmore, who last won the title in 1997, were very impressive for long spells.

A first-half goal from Jarlath O’Hora, and three excellent points from former Mayo attacker, Aidan Kilcoyne helped the north Mayo side into a half-time lead of 1-4 to 0-5.

They also dominated the third quarter as Kilcoyne (two), Brian Ruttledge (two) and Kevin O’Neill (free) added points before a superb goal from Colm Donnellan pushed them nine points ahead.

It was at this stage that Ballagh’ gave chase but despite the best efforts of Stephen Drake, Barry Kelly and Andy Moran, the 2008 county champions came up just short.

Elsewhere, Ballina Stephenites and Breaffy will have to meet again after their quarter-final finished all-square (1-11 to 0-14) on Saturday evening.

Matthew Conroy was the Breaffy hero as he landed the equaliser with the last kick of an absorbing affair.

Mayo minor Evan Regan netted in the first-half, and also added two points, as Ballina led by 1-7 to 0-6 at the interval.

The Stephenites extended their advantage after the restart with scores from the in-form Regan and Brian Ruane before Breaffy came roaring back into contention. The west Mayo men were on level terms by the 50th minute after Conor O’Shea (two), Seamus O’Shea and Alan Durcan all hit the target.

There was no shortage of drama at both ends in the closing stages, and Ballina looked set to sneak into the last four before Conroy popped up in injury-time.