Battling Sarsfields leave it late in thrilling Balla draw

GAA - MAYO SENIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION TWO

Charlestown Sarsfields 1-11

Balla 1-11

In Father O’Hara Park

Charlestown Sarsfields left it late to secure a draw against Balla in the opening round on Saturday evening.

A two-point free from Matthew Lenehan deep into injury time earned the home side a share of the spoils.

Balla made the brighter start, with Conor Walsh opening the scoring, but Charlestown responded through Ruairi Cullen and Lenehan to edge in front.

Scores were hard to come by early on, with both sides guilty of missed chances, before Luke Flatley and Liam Glynn helped Balla regain control.

Glynn added a free as Balla pushed 0-6 to 0-2 ahead, but the Sarsfields finished the half well with points from Ben Crean and Gareth O’Donnell to trail by two at the break.

Charlestown were quickest out of the blocks in the second half, with Lenehan converting early, but Balla responded through Flatley and Glynn to maintain their advantage.

The hosts then hit a purple patch, with Cullen contributing three points, including a two-pointer, to level matters.

The visitors again pushed ahead through Flatley and substitute Jude Clarke, but Charlestown struck for goal when Jack Corley found the net on 21 minutes.

Lenehan edged the hosts in front late on, but Clarke’s goal looked to have won it for Balla. However, Lenehan had the final say, converting a two-point free deep into injury time to secure a draw.

Charlestown travel to Parke Keelogues Crimlin next, while Balla host Moy Davitts.

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