THE momentum built up by Mayo hurling in the last couple of years was exemplified by Ballyhaunis as they knocked Four Roads off their perch on Sunday last.

There was a confidence in the East Mayo camp that they could make up for last year’s elimination against the same opposition. Back then, tiredness after playing in the Mayo senior hurling final only 24 hours earlier caught up with them.

Proceedings on Sunday didn’t start too brightly for the Mayo champions. Playing with the wind in the opening half, they found themselves with a three-point interval deficit.

Questions were being asked of the Red and Black and within 12 seconds of the restart they answered them. An explosive start to the new half wiped out the home side’s advantage.

Keith Higgins tore the Four Roads defence to shreds, something that was to become a familiar sight as the game progressed. He passed to the unmarked Fergal Walsh who planted the sliothar beyond a helpless Enda Rogerson in the Four Roads goal.

That score restored belief to a Ballyhaunis side that had looked decidedly edgy during the opening exchanges. With the Higgins brothers, Pierce and Keith, now controlling the game, it took a mighty effort from Four Roads to send the game into extra-time.

The Roscommon men simply couldn’t cope with the class of Keith Higgins. Eleven points was a lucrative haul for the centre-forward, but he was also the pivotal player in many of the visitors’ scores. He was still bouncing around challenges in extra-time, with a zest and energy that defied logic at times.

Ballyhaunis opened the scoring, through wing-forward Christopher McCrudden. Kelly replied for Four Roads after a sublime piece of control and first-time shot over the bar.

A free from the stick of Ballyhaunis corner-forward Stephen Hoban was followed by a neat reply from John Moran. Shane Curley edged the home side back in front from a ‘65 before Higgins accounted for the first of his 11 points from a 68 metre free.

Four Roads gained the upper-hand in the 18th minute. Brendan Kelly’s long delivery was batted down by Ballyhaunis netminder Michael Walsh into the path of Johnny Coyne and the corner-forward emphatically blasted the sliothar to the net.

The sides traded three points apiece for the remainder of the half. Coyle and Moran were on target for the Roscommon champions, while Higgins and McCrudden found the range for Ballyhaunis.

Having played below par in the opening half, Ballyhaunis fired their first warning shot inside 12 seconds as Walsh took advantage of Higgins’ defence-splitting run. The score ignited the game’s quality and the attendance was treated to a spectacular half hour of honest championship hurling.

Four Roads responded with a brace of Coyne frees and an effort from Ray Mulry. Lyons set up Niall Murphy to erode the deficit to two points before Coyne and Higgins swapped frees.

Ballyhaunis were level by the 44th minute with two quick points from Murphy and Hoban. At this stage, they were mopping up the breaking ball, mainly through veteran Pierce Higgins who was providing immense leadership for his side.

Brendan Mannion pushed Four Roads back in front with a cracking point under pressure from the right wing. Coyne added a free as Four Roads looked to have weathered the storm.

A free from Higgins was soon followed by a goal from Niall Murphy as the game ended in a welter of excitement. Mulry responded with the equaliser for Four Roads, but Higgins looked to have won it for Ballyhaunis when he pointed a minute from time. However, Curley held his nerve from a difficult free to send the game into extra-time.

A feature of the last 10 minutes was two spectacular saves by both goalkeepers, an added ingredient to an absorbing contest.

Ballyhaunis were far superior in the additional period. Three Higgins frees and an inspirational effort by captain Derek McConn put them four points to the good. Within eight seconds of the restart, Higgins had landed his 11th point before Liam Lyons wrapped up proceedings for his side with a fine goal.

Shane Curley’s late goal from a free failed to knock Ballyhaunis off course and they held out and celebrated as if they had won the Connacht final.

Scorers BALLYHAUNIS: K Higgins 0-11 (7f), N Murphy 1-2, F Walsh and L Lyons 1-0 each, S Hoban (1f) and C McCrudden 0-2 each, D McConn and P Higgins 0-1 each.

Four Roads: D Dolan 0-7 (6f), S Curley 1-2 (1-1f, 0-1 '65), J Coyne 1-0, J Moran and R Mulry 0-2 each, M Kelly, B Mannion and E Mulry 0-1 each.

BALLYHAUNIS: M Walsh; D Walsh, P Healy, A Lyons; P McConn, D McConn, H McKermitt; P Higgins, T Buckley; C McCrudden, K Higgins, F Walsh; S Hoban, L Lyons, N Murphy.

Subs: P Lynch (for McKermitt 36), B Hunt (for Walsh 51), L McDermott (for McCrudden 60).

FOUR ROADS: E Rogerson; S Curley, P Connolly, M McLoughlin; N Cunniffe, B Kelly, P Kelly; M Kelly, L Gately; J Moran, D Lohan, B Mannion; D Dolan, R Mulry, J Coyne. Subs: E Mulry (for Lohan 42), J Rogerson (for Cunniffe 45), J Lawlor (for Coyne 67), K Dowd (for Gately 75).

Referee: A Kelly (Galway)

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