A great couple of weeks continued for Ballinamore Community School with today’s Senior victory over Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina in Ballyhaunis. Playing outstanding football and with the aid of a gale force wind, Manager Kevin Nolan’s team raced to a 1-10 to 0-1 lead at half team -the goal coming after a brilliant move upfield involving a six pass interchange before full forward Luke Murphy blasted to the net. Despite the big interval lead little could be taken for granted given the ferocity of the wind. Much was expected from this highly rated Gortnor Abbey team but it was the Ballinamore boys who rose to the occasion and despite the conditions took the battle into the opposition half. With Man of the Match Mark Plunkett dominating midfield and consistently winning primary possession Ballinamore got the opening point of the half after seven minutes from the boot of Conor Gaffney. This seemed to sap the energy of the Mayo side who despite the aid of the breeze could only add another three points in the entire half with Ballinamore out scoring the opposition six points to three in this half to run out comfortable winners 1-16 to 0-4. This was an tremendous team performance with an outstanding defence adding to eight different scorers and an enviable team work ethic which saw them force numerous turnovers and hasty shooting from the much vaunted opposition. They now look forward to an All Ireland Semi Final meeting with Munster champions Ballyvourney from Cork.
