Ballintubber claim narrow victory over relentless Charlestown

MAYO SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 3

Ballintubber 0-12

Charlestown 0-10

In Clogher

Damien Coleman’s Ballintubber side registered a crucial win over a relentless Charlestown side who made the hosts work extremely hard for the match points.

In front of a large crowd in Clogher, the game started at a rapid speed as Diamuid O’Connor and Paul Towey both hit the posts with their respective efforts in the opening two minutes. 

Ben Crean opened the scoring for the visitors but from there the West Mayo side kicked into gear with Cillian O’Connor kicking five across the opening half. A two pointer from Stephen O’Malley had the boys from the ‘Tubber in the lead as they led 0-7 to 0-3 at the break.

The impressive Paul Towey hit a fine two pointer for the visitors from a placed ball to reduce the gap early on in the second period. As the occasion became more tense for the raging hot favourites they tagged on crucial points with veteran midfielder Jason Gibbons to the fore. With Ruairi Cullen and Jack Mahon showing prominently, Ginger Tiernan’s Charlestown side fought back with Towey leading the way in the scoring department. 

With the game in the dying stages, Charlestown went in search of a two pointer which would’ve levelled it but Thomas Holton’s effort sailed wide much to the relief of the 2019 county champions.

A full match report plus reaction will be carried in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.

READ MORE: Late comeback earns Breaffy a draw in championship opener in Aghamore