Mayo school lose Connacht semi-final on penalties

CONNACHT PPS SENIOR B SEMI-FINAL

Strokestown 1-12

Ballyhaunis CS 1-12

(After extra-time, Strokestown won 4-3 on penalties)

TO put it simply - Ballyhaunis should have won this epic semi-final in St Croans GAA Grounds in Roscommon today. The boys in red and black were two points up as injury time arrived at the end of normal time and three clear in the final moments of extra-time, but lost!

They will regret chances not taken and also the awarding of an exceptionally soft free against them in the dying seconds of normal time, but Strokestown won't care. The boys in blue advanced to the final at the end of a penalty shoot-out where they again came from behind after Eamon Monaghan saved the first Strokestown spot-kick.

The Roscommon side enjoyed a two point lead, 0-4 to 0-2, at half time in normal time. However, Ballyhuanis were much the better team in the second half with Jarlath Concannon, Derry Óg Cox, Charlie Johnston, Mark Feeney and their colleagues putting themselves in a winning position. 

As normal time came to an end and injury time arrived the Mayo students led 0-9 to 0-7, before an excellent long-range pointed free from Tristan Hoey cut the gap to one. However, a minute later, Ballyhaunis had a golden opportunity to seal the deal at the other end. However, the chance wasn't taken and when Strokestown went on one last sally forward they were awarded a close-range equalising free that was soft in the extreme.

Ballyhaunis put that frustration behind them in extra-time and a goal from Shane Gallagher helped them into a commanding four point lead, 1-11 to 0-10, at the half-way mark. Strokestown threw everything at the leaders as time ticked towards a conclusion but were still a goal adrift three minutes into added time at the end. Then, a drive from Jamie Connellan ended up in the net and the never-say-die Roscommon boys were level again.

A penalty shoot-out was needed to decide the winner and Ballyhaunis began well when Eamon Monaghan saved the first effort but, once again, Strokestown refused to be beaten and emerged victorious 4-3 at the end of a thrilling afternoon when one journey continued and another ended.

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