Stephenites to do enough to win in London

CONNACHT SENIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINAL

North London Shamrocks 0-9

Ballina Stephenites 0-15

LONDON

A hard-working display from Ballina Stephenites saw them power past impressive London champions, North London Shamrocks in Ruislip this afternoon. Ballina ruled the roost for long periods thanks to their almost total dominance of kick-outs in the middle third. 

The London champions were powered by a large contingent of Donegal men and gave Ballina very little room in which to operate up front. Therefore, the Mayo champions created few goal chances, but they didn't require any net-shakers given their high-percentage return from point efforts when the result was in the balance.

The home side gave as good as they got for long periods, and if former Donegal inter-county player Michael Carroll had found the net with a penalty after 13 minutes they'd have been right on the shoulder of the guests, but his effort flew wide.

Evan Regan, Luke Doherty, Padraig O'Hora, Frank Irwin and Niall Feeney all troubled the umpires in the opening half and the Mayo men were five clear at the break, 0-9 to 0-4. The Londoners had replied with Convoy clubman Joe McGill to the fore. He kicked two points while Ciaran Diver sent a goal chance inches over the bar and raised another white flag just before the break.

Thomas Linehan was added from the sub's bench at half time and he helped the home side close the gap to four after 40 minutes but Ballina were never really in trouble and that was as tight as things got.

The Stephenites kept working hard with Brendan Collins, Sam Callinan, O'Hora, David Tighe and Mikey Murray to the fore and Niall Heffernan's men were well worth their six-point winning margin at the final whistle.

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