Claremorris and Ballinrobe Town share the points after thrilling South Mayo soccer derby

Mayo Super League Round 3

Claremorris 2

Maloney 2 Butler 46 

Ballinrobe Town 2

Poblaciones 7 O’Gorman 56                                                           

In Claremorris                                   

If both sides had taken their chances, this South Mayo derby would have ended with a basketball scoreline.

As it was, a 2-2 draw was probably a fair result. 

Mark Maloney, who had an excellent first half put the home side in front two minutes in when he got on the end of a Brandon Walsh pass.

The chance began with Claremorris captain, Calvin Joyce, winning possession from a Ballinrobe throw.

Five minutes later the sides were level.

The inability to close out a lead has been a feature of Claremorris teams in the past few seasons, and they were punished at sunny Concannon Park when Ballinrobe’s best player, Jose Poblaciones, was gifted a few opportunities before he eventually fired past Keith Saunders. 

Shane Ryan had a free header for Ballinrobe, but he didn’t hit the target, and up at the other end, Maloney and Simon Butler had chances.

Saunders made a great save from Garry Mellet-Connolly and Oisín Connolly came close in a melee after a corner.

Even the usually reliable JP O’Gorman inexplicably fired wide with an open goal staring him.

The second half was much more exciting for the neutral. Claremorris went back in front through Butler, but again, they let Ballinrobe back in when the unmarked O’Gorman’s finished well after fifty-six minutes.

The remainder of the game was competitive with both sides creating and missing, chances. A draw was probably the fairest outcome.

Full report, reaction and images will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.