Sport

Holders earn a replay with late goal

Mayo SFC Final/Crossmolina 2-8 Ballaghadereen 1-11 :  Holders Crossmolina came within a whisker of losing their crown at rain…

Mon Oct 30 2006 - 00:00

Mayo SFC Final/Crossmolina 2-8 Ballaghadereen 1-11:  Holders Crossmolina came within a whisker of losing their crown at rain-soaked McHale Park, Castlebar, yesterday. Watched by a crowd of 5,000, a thrilling final seemed poised to end with a surprise win for Ballaghadereen who were holding a three-point lead with five minutes of injury-time played.

But, not for the first time, Ciarán McDonald shot for a match-saving goal, his effort deflected to the net by Peadar Gardiner to send the game to a replay next Sunday at the same venue.

The former All-Ireland club champions showed all their guile and experience by coming from five points behind at one stage in testing conditions and with just 14 men. Henry McLoughlin was sent off with 15 minutes remaining on a straight red card.

Ballaghadereen seemed poised to claim their first title since 1972 when they led at half-time by 1-5 to 0-4.

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They were by far the better side in that half and were given a terrific boost in the sixth minute when Andy Moran scored a superb goal.

A string of excellent points from Derek Moran and Barry Regan saw Ballaghadereen in command of the half, but just when Crossmolina seemed to be losing touch an early second-half goal from Joe Keane rocked the challengers and saw the game burst to life as the rain poured down.

Some excellent free-taking from McDonald kept Crossmolina hanging in but they looked a beaten side when Barry Regan pointed in injury-time to restore a three-point lead and put Ballaghadereen on course for what seemed certain victory.

The last kick of the game proved a a disaster for Ballaghadereen as McDonald sent a free towards the goalmouth where Gardiner got a fist to it and sent it to the net.

CROSSMOLINA: P O'Donnell; R Rochford, D Syron, J O'Boyle; D Keating, D Mulligan, P Gardiner (1-0); J Nallen, G Walsh; P McGuinness, C McDonald (0-5, frees), M Leonard, S Rochford, J Keane (1-3), B Benson. Subs: H McLoughlin for Walsh, Lavelle for Leonard.

BALLAGHADEREEN: O Flanagan; J McCann, D McGarry, T Regan; S Drake (0-1), D Kilcullen, G Conway; B Kelly, J Kilcullen; A Hanley, J Dillon, D Moran (0-4); A Moran (1-0), B Regan (0-5, four frees), M Solan (0-1). Subs: D Loftus for McGarry, B Solan for Loftus, P Hanley for A. Hanley, M O'Gara for Dillon.

Referee M Kenny (Westport).