Hard luck to our gallant Senior team on a terrific performance in the final played in a dry but windswept St Croan’s Roscommon Thursday 23rd April. Having finished second in our group to Carrigallen VS, having recorded victories over Drumshanbo VS, Lough Allen Drumkeerin and Mohill CC we then accounted for St Brendan’s Belmullet and St Joseph’s Charlestown to get to the final against more Mayo opposition in the form of a very strong St Joseph’s Castlebar.
Ballinamore played against the breeze in the first half and got off to a brilliant start with a fabulous solo run goal from midfielder Kate Conefrey. Our good start continued with a free from full forward Aoife Donohue . St Joseph’s gradually grew into the game and clawed 2 points and added a further 2 goals to lead by 4. However Ballinamore recovered and a brilliant solo goal by Lucy Maguire from the sideline and a point from playing gave Ballinamore real hope against a strong but diagonal wind. Ballinamore had a few wides before St Joseph’s added two more points to lead by 3 until the last minute of the half when once again Lucy Maguire planted a goal from a low well placed shot to see the teams all square at half time.
Ballinamore defence and all round hard work gave them a serious opportunity for the second half. HT Score Ballinamore 3:3 St Joseph’s 2:6
In the second half St Joseph’s got an early grip of things and added 3 points but found Ballinamore very hard to break down although they did hit the crossbar with an attempted goal chance. Lucy Maguire responded with a fine free from the left hand side and both teams traded scores with points from Lucy again and 2 from Aoife Donohue.
Going into the final 5: minutes with Ballinamore 2 points down they chased a goal and there was plenty of scary moments for St Joseph’s but ultimately they held out and got the insurance point to lead by 3 going into injury time. From the next kick out a rare failure by Ballinamore to retain possession saw St Joseph’s seal the victory with a goal that goalkeeper Romy McAlister had no chance to save. St Joseph’s won by 7 at the end.
Ballinamore battled to the end and had chances to win it over the game but overall St Joseph’s deserved the victory and congratulations to them.
