Brilliant Ballinrobe Community School girls win All-Ireland after stunning display

NEW footballing queens have been crowned in South Mayo after Ballinrobe Community School won their first All-Ireland ladies title in 29 years in stunning fashion. 

A 23-point victory saw Eimear Gorman and Ruth Donnellan's girls win the All-Ireland Junior C title over an opposition that simply weren't allowed to play. 

A haul of 4-8 from Mayo stars Kate Brennan and Emma Stagg were the highlights of an awesome display from the finest Ballinrobe Community School team in a generation - who held their opponents to just one point from play. 

From their unrelenting middle eight right up to their shark-like full-forward line, Ballinrobe gave an almost flawless display that was a credit to ladies football in their school. 

They went point down from in the first minute but went onto completely dominate the game.

Inspired by a barnstorming display from team captain Kate Brennan, Ballinrobe crept into the lead before St Mary’s wing-forward Orla O’Brien was yellow-carded in the 12th minute.

Ballinrobe used that time to clinical effect to score 2-1, with the goals coming within a minute of each other.

Kate Brennan got the first when she drove it low into the corner after being fed by Emily Jennings.

Jennings turned executioner a minute later with an absolutely stunning shot that flew into the top left corner from roughly 20 yards out.

Brennan was at the heart and soul of Ballinrobe’s superb half-back line, who snuffed out the few attacks that St Mary’s Macroom had before half-time.

All Ireland winning Mayo U-14 captain Emma Stagg contributed two points before the break and was influential from play while Brennan, Jennings and Ali Hughes all had a point each.

The Munster champions trailed 2-5 to 0-2 at half-time after Róisín Ní Liatháin kicked an easy free late in injury time.

The second half brought even more shock and awe for St Mary’s.

Ballinrobe’s very own 'Terrible Twins' Brennan and Stagg hit two impressive goals within a minute of each other early in the second half.

A pair of frees either side of an Ursula Shaughnessy point were all the St Mary's managed in the second half, by which time their hopes had all but vanished.

Ballinrobe continued to dominate throughout the field, hitting seven unanswered points before substitute Isabella Hughes lobbed in their final goal near full-time. 

South Mayo will now glow with the bonfires' light to herald the arrival of Mayo's new All-Ireland champions.

A full report plus reaction from the Ballinrobe camp will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.