Mountbellew/Moylough (Galway) 0-16 Ballinamore/Sean O’Heslins (Leitrim) 2-8
A last minute goal chance denied Ballinamore/Sean O’Heslin’s a shock victory over fancied Mountbellew/Moylough in a hugely enjoyable game played in ideal conditions at Carrick-on-Shannon.
However, the Galway champions were deserving winners following an early second half surge that saw them wipe out Ballinamore’s six-point first half lead, going on to dominate proceedings as the Leitrim champions’ challenge faded.
In a game of contrasting halves, Ballinamore took the game to the Galway men in a way that belied their underdog status, with a seventh minute goal by Niall McGovern setting the tone as Mountbellew/Moylough struggled, relying on the free taking accuracy of Barry McHugh to keep them in touch.
A second Ballinamore goal by Tom Prior in the 26th minute and a point three minutes later extended the Leitrim champions’ lead and they deservedly led 2-5 to 0-5 at the interval.
However, it was a transformed Mountbellew/Moylough who restarted proceedings and in a 10 minute purple patch they overhauled the hosts to lead by a point going into the final quarter with the pointed frees by Barry McHugh and the increasingly influential Michel Daly adding three points from play.
Ballinamore failed to replicate their first half performance as the Galway champions dominated possession, confining their opponents to a pointed free for the entirety of the second half. As the game entered six minutes of added time a late revival by Ballinamore reduced the arrears to two points and, in their best move of the half, Tom Prior was put through on goal only to lose possession to ensure a Moutbellew/Moylough victory.
Ballinamore/Sean O'Heslins: D Maxwell, L Ferguson, O McCaffrey, M Murphy, P Connaughton, K McHugh, W McKeon (0-3, 2f), S Moran (0-2), D McGovern, S Harte, B Banks, M McKiernan (0-1), L Murphy (0-1, 1f), N McGovern (1-0), T Prior (1-1).
Subs: M McCrory for S Harte 39m, C McHugh for P Connaughton 45m, P Reynolds for M McKiernan 56m.
Mountbellew/Moylough: D Boyle, C Murray, B Mannion, M Mannion, C Ryan, J Daly (0-1), J Foley, M Daly (0-3), M Barrett (0-1), S Moran, P Donnellan, G Donohue, A McHugh, E Finnerty (0-1), B McHugh (0-10, 8f, 1mark).
Subs: G Sweeney for C Ryan 31m, S Miland for A McHugh 33m.
Referee: B Judge (Sligo)
Tourlestrane (Sligo) 0-9 St Kiernan’s (London) 0-4
Tourlestrane were far from spectacular when getting past the determined challenge of St Kiernan’s of London, relying on a better second-half to win this Connacht Club SFC quarter-final by five points, 0-9 to 0-4, at Markievicz Park.
The Sligo champions for the past six seasons ought to have been further in front at the break, but were only 0-3 to 0-2 ahead.
Their class finally showed during a 12-minute second half spell when they shot four points without reply to go 0-7 to 0-3 in front.
Inside forwards Liam Gaughan, Brian Egan and Gary Gaughan each scored during this authoritative phase, with James Leonard also chipping in with a big point.
A fine 47th minute point for St Kiernan’s from corner-forward William Brazil made it a three-point game, 0-7 to 0-4, but this was the visitors’ final score.
Tourlestrane were able to absorb late pressure, which included goal shots from Chris Farley and David Carrabine, and John Kelly’s second booking in stoppage time made no difference.
Tourlestrane (Sligo): A Broe; JF Carr, B Walsh, N Gaughan; O Kennedy, A McIntyre, C Surlis; C Marren, C Henry (0-1); K Gavigan, J Kelly, J Leonard (0-1); L Gaughan (0-2, one mark), B Egan (0-3, three frees), G Gaughan (0-2).
Subs: K O'Hara for O Kennedy (43); S Henry for C Marren (54), R Kennedy for Egan (58), R Bailey for G Gaughan (60+2).
St Kiernan's (London): M Roche; G Kingston, P O'Farrell, K Curran; M Mulholland, E Walsh, D Carrabine; S McManus, J Moran; T Waters, C Farley (0-2, two frees), C Carthy; W Brazil (0-2), K O'Connor, M Mangan.
Subs: P O'Shea for K O'Connor (44); A Gervin for J Moran (50); B Rutledge for P O'Farrell (57); D Rogers for K Curran (60+2).
Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon).
