Ballagh’ lose their way in Sligo
Sean Rice
WE had greater expectations for Ballaghaderreen in the All-Ireland club championship than the calamity that befell them in the first round on Sunday against Eastern Harps.Having dominated the first half at Markievicz Park, they fell prey to the grittier performance of the Sligo champions after the break. They lost their lead in the final quarter, and then lost their nerve.
They were outscored in the second half by eight points to two. Six of those eight points came from the boot of Paul Taylor, five of them from frees. The full-forward¹s tally for the game amounted to eight. Only two were from play which underlines the folly of Ballaghaderreen’s fouling.
But then they had no other way of stopping Harps’ livelier attacking force and especially the county’s former star Taylor who has lost none of his cuteness or accuracy. He was the key player in Sligo’s victory and Ballagh’ had no one to match him.
Ten years ago Taylor scored six points in Eastern Harps’ defeat by one point at the hands of Ballina Stephenites at a similar stage in the championship, also at Markievicz Park. He will have relished Sunday¹s redress against Mayo’s new champions even if it took a decade to achieve it.
Mind you Ballagh’ laid genuine claims to a penalty in injury time when Ross Donovan scooped the dead ball off the line as the Ballagh’ forwards bore down on him. But for all that, Harps’s deserved their win for the manner in which they recovered from a listless first half to take almost complete charge after the break.
It was a disappointing end to the season for the Mayo champions. But Sligo’s newly appointed manager Kevin Walsh will be encouraged by what he saw on Sunday as he surveys his stock for the coming season.
When they recover from the shock of their dimissal, Ballagh’ might take heart from Ballina’s experience in 2003. They travelled to Markievicz Park at unbackable odds to beat Sligo champs Curry in the Connacht semi-final. They came away with a blushing ten-point defeat.
The following year they won the All-Ireland final at Croke Park.
West Mayo rivals serve up a thrilling u-21 semi-final encounter
THIS old rivalry still thrives. Great moments of historic struggles between them were recalled on Sunday as Breaffy and Ballintubber battled out their under 21 ‘A’ county championship semi-final.
In conditions fit only for fireside indulgence, the two provided their supporters with a reason for making the journey. It was nail-biting entertainment. They did not spare themselves. The exchanges were bone shaking. You could only imagine what a classic it might have been on a dry surface.
Ballintubber had the edge with a better spread of talent, and deserved their win. It took a long time to bring that superiority to bear on the game because of tight defending by both sides. Myles Kelly’s tenacity transmitted itself to the rest of the Ballintubber defence, while the great heart of Breaffy’s Michael Jennings stood between them and victory up to the final minutes.
But the duel at midfield between Jason Gibbons and Aiden O’Shea was the main highlight. Each was excellent until O’Shea ran out of steam in the second half. Gibbons lasted the pace longer. More importantly, he scored the decisive goal nine minutes into the first half. It was a score worth defending and Ballintubber spared no effort in holding onto that lead to the end.
Martin McMenamon passes away after battle with illness
WITH regret we learned at the weekend of the death of Martin McMenamon at his home in Kilfea, Islandeady, following a long battle with illness.
Martin was born in Castlebar, but moved to Islandeady with his wife Phil and family several years ago where he became a prominent and popular member of the local community.
Although settled well in the parish of his adoption he never lost his ties with his native town and in particular with Castlebar Mitchels GAA Club of which he was lifelong member and a staunch advocate of the club’s values.
He played in all grades of football with the Mitchels having been nurtured by the Emmets in the town leagues organised by the De La Salle Brothers. And when his playing career came to an end he hurtled himself into the work of running the club. He was a willing worker.
Nothing was too menial a task. Whatever had to be done was tackled with singular enthusiasm. Pride in a great club was his motivation.
He was a trustee of An Sportlann and a member of the board of directors. He helped out in the maintenance of MacHale Park. He played a leading role in organising weekly bingo sessions which were one of the main sources of funding.
Martin was there in the valley periods, a symbol of solidarity.
He was proud of Castlebar’s underage achievements and if senior success had eluded them in recent times he was confident that the proper foundations had been set for a return to the glories of the past.
His contribution to the running of the Mitchels over the decades was recognised when he was presented with the Hall of Fame Award some years ago. He was currently the club¹s president.
Martin was a former member of Islandeady Community Council, a lifelong pioneer, a staunch member of the PTAA and president of the Islandeady branch. He was also a member of Fianna Fail and canvassed diligently for the party during general elections.
Last February he and Phil celebrated forty years of marriage at a function in An Sportlann. He had already been receiving treatment for cancer and he was hopeful he could survive the rigours of the disease.
He danced to his heart’s content that night and we were hopeful for him.
He fought that insidious illness with characteristic courage and continually updated us with news about his treatment and his condition. We missed him at Mass recently and guessed the worst. News of his death was not entirely unexpected, but the sadness at his passing is no less profound.
The huge crowds at his removal to St Patrick¹s Church, Islandeady and his funeral to the local cemetery are testimony of the esteem in which he was held in the hearts of those who knew him.
To Phil and his family go our deepest sympathy.
County Secretary solves the kick-out conundrum
IS the kickout from the tee in Gaelic football confined to the goalkeeper? In other words if any player other than the goalkeeper is taking the kick-out is he prohibited from using the tee?
Good question. And it came from the rational brain of Anthony O’Connor during the under 21 ‘A’ county semi-final between Breaffy and Ballintubber on Sunday.
We sought expert opinion from county secretary Sean Feeney. He recalled a blazing row in a match between Ballintubber and Tourmakeady when it was thought that a ‘45’ by Tourmakeady had been taken from a tee.
It turned out the tee was in fact a tuft of grass wedged under the ball.
But the answer from Sean is no. Any back, and one time most full-backs took the kicks-out, may use the tee for that purpose only.
Our Best wishes go to Mick Ruane
This column sends best wishes to former Mayo footballer Mick Ruane who is recovering from illness in a Galway hospital.
