Sixty wild seconds seal Ballyheane's fate in Connacht Cup match

CONNACHT CUP ROUND 2

Ballyheane 1

Salthill Devon 5

In Ballyheane

THE Connacht Cup adventure is over, before it really began for Ballyheane. The Mayo men were bested by a Salthill Devon team, that needed a little wake-up call but once they got rolling, there was no stopping them.

Ballyheane took the lead when Gareth Dunne found himself at the end of a low cross that breezed past friend and foe, and tapped the ball gently into the net.

The goal was greeted with huge joy by the home crowd but it was short lived.

Only nine minutes later, Enda Curran equalised in almost a carbon copy of the opener. Salthill Devon then took control, boosted by bringing on the experienced Shane O'Rourke after only 31 minutes for Timmy Molloy. 

Then, early in the second half, 60 wild seconds ultimately decided the game.

First, Ballyheane's Ben Edeh headed the ball into the net. And for a few seconds, the home supporters believed in their chance to advance in the cup.

But referee Jimmy Cawley raised his hand. Decision: Offside. Many couldn't believe the call but the lack of video footage means, there won't be any clear resolution.

Fact of the matter is, while Ballyheane players and management were still shocked in bewilderment, Salthill Devon worked the ball quickly up front, and Colin Kelly hammered it inside the near post.

That strike sucked the life out of the room.

What a tough pill to swallow for Ballyheane. They wouldn't recover from that, and Salthill Devon were firmly in the driver's seat until the final whistle.

Cole Connolly added two goals, and winger Alex Murphy rewarded himself for a spirited performance, for the final score of 5-1.

Apart from the disallowed goal, Ballyheane didn't create any chances in the second half. Ultimately, quality made the difference in this cup tie.

A full match report will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.