Douglas goal sinks brave Ballyhaunis into relegation play-off

Castlebar Mitchels 1-9

Ballyhaunis 0-10

AN opportunistic Neil Douglas goal scuppered a fine second half  display from Ballyhaunis, who are now facing into a Mayo SFC relegation play-off.

Eamon Phillips kicked some outstanding scores, but it wasn’t enough for the 2022 Intermediate champions to close a gap that stretched to six points at one stage.

Ultimately, ‘Haunis were left to rue a kick-out from Adrian Phillips that went straight to Douglas, who finished flawlessly to the net in the 45th minute.

Ballyhaunis did not score from play until Cathal Carney’s 32nd minute effort, but went on to score nine more points – five in the last quarter.

Castlebar Mitchels faced a defensive Ballyhaunis set-up, but led by 0-6 to 0-1 at the break thanks to frees from Ethan Gibbons (3), Rory Byrne and Paddy Heneghan, plus a lovely one from play by Conor Stenson.

Ballyhaunis resurfaced with three points in the first 13 minutes of the second half but were then flattened by Douglas’ goal.

The underdogs eventually worked it back to a two-point game before Gavin Durcan put it back to three.

Derek Walsh’s men responded with a lovely outside-of-the-boot injury-time effort from substitute Joe Sutton, but time ran out for ‘Haunis to mount a daring comeback.

Castlebar Mitchels finish second in Group 4 while Ballyhaunis now go into a relegation play-off due to having a lower scoring difference than Aghamore, who finish third after their defeat to Knockmore. 

There will be a full report, plus reaction from Ballyhaunis star Keith Higgins, in Tuesday’s print edition of The Mayo News.