Mayo champions well beaten in Connacht semi-final in Roscommon

CONNACHT SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

St Brigid's 1-21

Ballina Stephenites 3-8

In Roscommon

THERE were seven points between the teams at the end of this provincial semi-final in Hyde Park, and Ballina can count themselves fortunate! In truth, St Brigid's were clear and deserving winners and with a little more composure in front of goal, the gap would have been much larger.

The Stephenites never threw in the towel and kept fighting to the last moment, but they were clearly second best on a day when the pace and power of the Roscommon champions was clear for all to see.

Ballina had the wind behind them in the first half, but the Mayo champions were completely out-played by the Roscommon men. Goals from Dylan Thornton and Regan (a fabulous finish as he was falling backwards) kept them in it for a time, but by the half-time break the guests were in real trouble as they trailed 1-13 to 2-1.

Brigid's were lording it at midfield, winning the vast majority of breaking ball and attacking at pace. Ballina's time on the ball was very limited, but when they did get it forward, their attacking play was very disappointing.

Conor Hand, Ben O'Carroll, Paul McGrath, Brian Derwin and Ruaidhrí Fallon were causing havoc with their pace and movement and the Stephenites were taking water everywhere. Brian Stack was minding the house impressively for the Roscommon men and they looked very comfortable.

Padraig O'Hora had started the game for Ballina, but unusually seemed to take up position in attack with little impact.

The Moysiders were hit with a hammer-blow after nine minutes when Senan Kilbride siezed on a loose ball in front of goal to blaze a shot to the roof of the net.

The Stephenites needed an explosive start to the second period after conceding nine points without reply before the break. O'Hora was repositioned at the back for the restart and the Mayo men got a great boost after three minutes when Ben Thornton crashed home a goal.

However, Brigid's continued to boss matters in the middle of the field and by the end of the third quarter they led 1-18 to 3-2. Mikey Murray, Regan and Sam Callinan kicked points for the Mayo men in the run-in, but Brigid's cruised home and were already preparing for their Connacht final clash with Moycullen.

A full match report, analysis and reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.