Breaffy survive Ardnaree comeback to make it two wins from two

MAYO SENIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1A ROUND 2

BREAFFY 2-7

ARDNAREE SARSFIELDS 0-10

In Breaffy

Breaffy withstood a resilient Ardnaree comeback to make it two league wins from two and escape to victory.

It seemed like Breaffy were home and hosed after goals in quick succession from Rory Martin and Pierce Deane in the second half put them in charge, especially given the fact that Ardnaree seemed toothless in attack for much of the second half.

However, Ardnaree dug deep with mere minutes of normal time to go, and had it not been for an exceptional block from Robbie Fadden in the dying moments, the Moysiders may have salvaged something from a tie that looked dead with four to go.

Jonathan Doherty’s audacious curling two-pointer late on put the fat in the fire and set Ardnaree pulses racing for all the right reasons, and all the wrong ones for the home support.

Had there been more time on the clock, they probably would have even got closer.

However, Breaffy just about kept their opponents at arms’ length.

Breaffy led by the minimum at the changeover and would’ve been cursing a glut of missed opportunities as they headed for the changing rooms, which could have left Ardnaree further in arrears.

If they weren’t kicking themselves then, they were when Ardnaree were snapping at their heels.

There’ll be plenty to work on for both Ardnaree manager Rory Clarke and Breaffy báinisteoir Seán Deane in advance of Round Three, with the wide count not making for particularly pretty reading.

However, at the end of the day for the hosts, ensuring that Ardnaree head north empty-handed was the goal.

Job done.

A full report, plus reaction, will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.