Stephenites secure one-point win after Breaffy battle

An impressive display from Mikey Murray was one of the reasons Ballina Stephenites left Breaffy with a one-point win at the end of a hard-fought senior championship encounter played in competing weather sessions of driving rain and bright sunshine.

The Moysiders were pushed all the way by the home side who were a point clear five minutes from the end before a late surge pushed Niall Heffernan's men to victory.

Breaffy were the better team in the first half and four points from Aidan O'Shea who was planted on the edge of the square, two more from his Mayo colleague Mattie Ruane and a single from Davitt Neary left them with a 0-7 to 0-3 lead after 27 minutes. However, Ballina eventually shook themselves into life and closed out the half with three critical scores. Frank Irwin, Murray and Evan Regan all split the sticks to cut the gap to the minimum at the short whistle.

Ballina were much improved after the resumption and took charge around the middle of the field. This allowed them reel off three points in succession and Breaffy had to wait until the 51st minute to raise their first flag of the second half when O'Shea converted a free from distance.

Tommy O'Reilly balanced matters soon after and another O'Shea point had the home side in front with time ticking away. However, Ballina are serious championship battlers and swept forward for wing-back Ciaran Boland to level matters before Evan Regan clipped over two late points.

Breaffy refused to give up and Ruane kicked a point deep in injury time but time ran out on the home side and Ballina went home with two very precious championship points.

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