Ballinrobe too good for Islandeady

Mayo Intermediate Club Championship

Quarter-Final
Ballinrobe 3-10
Islandeady 1-6

THE old adage that goals win games certainly rang true at a wet and windy Mayo Abbey on Saturday afternoon, as a hat-trick of Ballinrobe green flags in the space of three minutes during the first half proved decisive in the end.
Peter Ford’s troops raced into an early three points to no score lead, courtesy of scores from Evan O’Brien, Darren McDonnell and Ewan Duffy.
The Robesiders hit their first goal on 11 minutes, when Diarmuid Duffy struck home the rebound after his brother, Ewan, saw his fisted effort come back off the post.
Former Mayo minor captain Diarmuid Duffy was in sparkling form and he latched on to a breaking ball on 12 minutes before firing home a brilliant close-range effort past Bryan O’Flaherty.
The avalanche of Ballinrobe goals continued on 13 minutes, when a raking delivery found Kevin Quinn and his top corner finish was fit to grace any stage.
Islandeady’s game-plan was at sixes and sevens, but a smashing goal by Brendan Gibbons after 20 minutes offered hope that all was not lost.
But Ballinrobe led by 3-4 to 1-2 at the break.
The winners crucially notched three frees from the 41st to the 45th minute, courtesy of the O’Brien brothers, Conor (2) and Evan.
Islandeady were then temporarily reduced to 14 men, when Brendan Gibbons picked up a black card after 50 minutes.
Ballinrobe closed out proceedings impressively to march into the semi-finals.