Healy 'phones home' for Ballina

John Healy may not have conceded any goals in last weekend's Mayo SFC quarter-final clash with Breaffy, but the Ballina player-manager was still arguably the busiest goalkeeper in the country.

Healy had to play in goals due to an injury to David Clarke, so while the ball was further up the pitch he used a mobile phone to talk tactics and arrange the side with his selectors.

The County Championship game finished in a 1-11 to 0-14 draw, with Breaffy, who are bidding to reach the semi-finals for the first time, equalising through a late Matthew Conroy point.

Healy's men took a 1-7 to 0-6 half-time lead at McHale Park, aided by young forward Evan Regan's goal. Ballina moved six points up early in the second half and were still two to the good in the dying minutes.

However, Breaffy, with three O'Shea brothers in their team, fought back to set up a replay on Saturday night. Healy did well to keep a clean sheet, as well as communicating with the sideline.

Clarke damaged his knee ligaments in the win over Claremorris early last month and it remains to be seen if he will be fit to play in this weekend's replay.

If not, former county stopper Healy, who is in his second season as the Stephenites boss, will most likely be pressed into action again - along with his mobile phone.