Ballyhaunis fall to superb Bish display in Connacht Schools semi

GAA – CONNACHT PPS B FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

St Joseph's (The Bish) 4-12

Ballyhaunis Secondary School 1-13

In Claregalway

Red-hot starts to either half proved to be fatal for Ballyhaunis Secondary School as they exited the Connacht B Championship at the hands of a powerful Bish side.

Two goals early doors from Bish dangermen David Kilraine and Conor Langan-Monaghan lit the touchpaper, and things were looking grim for the Mayo schoolboys.

However, a stream of stupendous scores mere moments from the changeover, including a booming two-pointer from Adam Kelly, as well as a goal and an orange flag from John Jennings, had the scoreboard showing a much nicer complexion at the break.

With two to go to the half-time, Ballyhaunis were six down. At the whistle, they were two up and too hot to handle.

However, after the changing of ends, the Bish extinguished that flame.

By 90 seconds, a goal and a two-pointer re-established superiority.

Big scores were the name of Act Two, and Marc Beatty’s incredulous effort outside the arc, and a tap-in for Michael Mitchell helped to take the game away.

John Jennings put in an exemplary display, while Adam Kelly also dictated play from midfield, but they were unable to breathe life back into the tie.

Ballyhaunis, to their credit, never threw in the towel, and Tom Donnellan almost cracked the crossbar in two as he and his side went for net-shakers to drag them back into contention.

Alas, the major moment never came. An imperious Bish side marched on, while Ballyhaunis’ season ends here.

A full report will be available in Tuesday's edition of The Mayo News.