Charlestown break through quarter-final ceiling

Football Mayo senior club championship

Round 3
Charlestown 0-9
Ballaghaderreen 0-7

THE name of Charlestown will be in the Mayo SFC quarter-final draw for the first time since 2014 after the Sarsfields edged out neighbours Ballaghaderreen in this third round match in Ballyhaunis on Sunday afternoon.
Late points from Paul Towey (free) and Ben Conway turned out to the decisive scores as Stephen Healy’s team beat their fierce rivals for the first time in nine attempts.
The result means that Charlestown finish as group runners-up behind Westport while Ballagh’s season is over, with their senior championship status assured for 2024.
Played in difficult conditions — with a constant drizzle making handling and skill execution something of a lottery — the match itself never caught fire.
Charlestown led at the end of an evenly-matched first half by 0-6 to 0-5, despite falling three points behind early on after Ballagh’ scores from Sharoize Akram, Adam Philips and Paddy Callaghan.
The Sarsfields gradually found their feet though and four points without reply from Conor O’Donoghue, Paddy Goldrick and Paul Towey (two frees) pushed the pre-match outsiders ahead for the first time after 20 minutes.
The sides exchanged points twice between there and the interval to maintain the status quo.
The second half played out along similar lines, with both defences proving hard to break down.
The sides were level on two further occasions during the third quarter and deadlock prevailed heading into the home straight.
But Charlestown managed to create and finish a few chances with the finish line in sight, with Paul Towey clipping a free on 54 minutes before Ben Conway popped over the insurance score a minute into added time to spark great scenes of celebration.