Balla ladies make history by winning Mayo Junior B title at the expense of Kiltane

MAYO LGFA JUNIOR B CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Balla 2-9 Kiltane 4-2

In Bekan

A club only founded a few years ago won their first-ever adult county title when Balla captured the Mayo LGFA Junior B Championship in a goal-filled thriller this evening. 

Though they sweated right until the end, it was Balla's never-say-die attitude and the contribution of several key players that made the difference against a battling Kiltane outfit. 

The barony girls put up a great fight, but their inability to point from play came back to haunt them in a game that went right down the wire when they were correctly denied a goal because of a square ball in the dying minutes. 

The goals kept the Erris side in it in the first half, which finished 4-0 1-4 in their favour after Leah McDonagh, Maria Sweeney Kahlifa, Ellis Conway and Maria Carey all raised green flags. 

Driven by former Mayo Minor and player of the match Riona Jordan, Balla scored from various angles and saw Shauna Dunleavy net an all-important goal in the 19th minute. 

It took Balla until the 52nd minute to level when the brilliant Jordan darted for goal and blasted it into the net. 

Aoibhe Walsh put them in front before Ciara Ginty levelled for Kiltane with her second converted free.

Yet again, Riona Jordan was instrumental in a decisive score as she set up Shauna Dunleavy for the winning point in the early seconds of injury time. 

Ellis Conway appeared to have snatched a dramatic late winner when she fisted Maria Reilly's kick-pass into the net. However, her effort was ruled out for a square ball, leaving Kiltane devastated while Balla made history.

A full report, plus reaction from Balla manager David Monaghan will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.