Ballyhaunis blow championship group wide open with impressive win over Charlestown

In Charlestown

An excellent second-half display saw Ballyhaunis saw take the spoils in an entertaining East Mayo derby at Fr O’Hara Park.

Despite conceding two first-half goals, Pete Warren’s side were transformed after the half-time break and didn’t give their hosts a sniff of increasing what had been a three point half-time lead.

Charlestown would only score once in the second period as a masterful display in sweeping from Keith Higgins and a brilliant performance from Kevin Byrne and Cormac Phillips in midfield prevented Charlestown from creating any real attacking platform.

Paul Towey, from the penalty spot, and Jack Mahon got the goals for the home side in the first half, turning a three-point deficit into a four-point lead in the blink of an eye, but that was as good as it got for Charlestown.

Eamon Phillips was almost unerring from place ball, finishing with six points and he was ably supported by Jack and Jason Coyne, who both chipped in with a brace each.

It was a real team display from Ballyhaunis and everyone from Adrian Phillips through to the substitutes played their part in a famous victory.

It’s a result which blows the group wide open and sets up two intriguing third round games in a fortnight when Charlestown face Garrymore and Ballyhaunis take on Castlebar Mitchels.

A full report will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News Sport.