Bonniconlon bounce into junior county final after second-half stormer

MAYO JFC A SEMI-FINAL

Bonniconlon 0-16 Eastern Gaels 0-11

In Parke

THE team that were synonymous with the Mayo Intermediate Football Championship for a generation may soon regain their place in the competition after a gallant second-half display saw them end Eastern Gael’s season.

Bonniconlon outscored their fellow East Mayo men 0-13 to 0-4 with a storming second half where leaders emerged in every line of the field for the men in blue. 

Man of the match, Jonathan Lavelle, began that second half with a statement of intent when he pointed after just 15 seconds. 

From then on, Nobby McLoughlin’s men were unstoppable, retaking the lead after 39 minutes and blunting Gaels’ formidable attack. 

The first half was a totally different story. 

With Senan Guilfoyle, Evan Godfrey and Michael McGarry in flying form, Eastern Gaels led 0-7 0-3 - and could have led by more - at the end of the first half. They occasionally threatened the goal, but were thwarted by Bunniconlon’s sturdy stopper, Aidan Doherty. 

Conor Igoe ploughed a lone furrow for Bonni’ before half-time, but he was aided by big second-half displays from Jonathon Lavelle, Brian O’Malley, Ciaran Gaughan, Sean Neary and Eoghan Greavy, who were all pivotal in securing their victory. 

Bonniconlon will now face Cill Chomáin in the 2024 Mayo Junior A Football Championship final. 

A full report plus reaction from both camps will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.