Mayo champions win thrilling Connacht quarter-final in Breaffy

CONNACHT LGFA JUNIOR CLUB QUARTER-FINAL

Breaffy 2-12

Four Roads 3-7

In Breaffy

THIS was a thriller! The healthy gathering of spectators basking in the Saturday morning sunshine were treated to a memorable encounter as the home side held off the Roscommon champions to seal their ticket to next weekend's provincial semi-final.

There were times when Breaffy seemed to be strolling to victory as they built up healthy leads, but on every occasion the Four Roads women refused to fade away and almost won it at the end. The first 25 minutes belonged to the home side. They were dominant in every area of the pitch and built up a seven-point lead as Aisling Flanagan, Sophie Moran, Emily Moran, Katie Moran and Vivienne Ward found the target.

Chloe Fahey was making great runs through the middle while Ava Flynn was spreading the play with some excellent kick passing. At the back, Katelyn McManamon was given an exhibition at full-back while Tara Concannon and Kate McConway were fearless. Breaffy created a number of goal chances, but the closest they came to taking one was when Amy Golden's effort was somehow kept out by the butt of the post.

Then, in the closing stages of the half, Four Roads found their sparkle and poured forward for teenage star Clodagh Finneran to slam home a goal and a point before the interval. The Roscommon women were even better in the third quarter and Breaffy were being tested all around the pitch as Elizabeth Coyle, Donna Kelly, Sally Bolger and Finneran kept the scoreboard ticking for the guests.

Substitute Maria Walsh made an impact for the home side and points from herself and Ward kept the chasers at bay. However, the pressure was building and when Coyle knocked over two frees in quick succession the gap was back to a single point after 52 minutes.

Breaffy needed to draw a line in the sand and did so when Flanagan pointed after a mighty surge from Fahey. That sent a huge cheer around the ground and when Sophie Moran blazed the ball into the top corner of the net and Katie Moran clipped over a point they were closing in on victory.

At the other end, Niamh Flanagan produced a great save to deny Maria Lohan a goal. However, Breaffy seemed to have sealed the deal in the first minute of injury-time when Sophie Moran got on the end of a flowing move involving Ella Fallon, Ward and Aisling Flanagan to plant the ball in the net.

That left the women in blue nine points up with five added minutes to play, but Four Roads never took a backward step. They powered forward and when Donna Kelly and Síofra Finneran cashed home goals there was just a kick of a ball between them. The chasers sensed glory and Kelly burst through only to see her drive fly inches over the crossbar as Breaffy breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, in the dying seconds, Clodagh Finneran found room and shot for the roof of the net, but Niamh Flanagan produced a fantastic save and the Mayo champions were safe. Breaffy will travel to play Sligo champions Shamrock Gaels in the Connacht semi-final next Saturday at 1pm.

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