A Super feeling for Ballina Town after tough preparation as experience wins out 

To say Ballina Town have not had ideal preparation for the Calor Gas Super Cup Final would be putting it mildly.

Defensive trio Chris Moore, Chris Maughan and Matty Hamilton were missing – the latter two through suspension – while Niall Casey has gone travelling. Coupled with a first round exit from the FAI Junior Cup last month and one of the club’s heaviest defeats in their modern history at the hands of Salthill Devon in the Connacht Champions Cup, supporters could be forgiven for making the trip to Milebush more with hope than expectation.

Yet Ballina Town would form behind to beat old rivals Westport United, with a team that still consisted of Emmet Peyton, Dylan McKee, Dan Gorman, Jamie Cawley and club captain Lavelle and the Super League’s top scorer was confident coming into he final despite far from ideal preparation.

“When you come in on the pitch today, we were probably up against a little bit. But, you know, we knew we had a squad good enough within ourselves to put it up for them today, there's no doubt about it. The experience we have on the team, it speaks for itself, you can see it out there. That starting 11 would put up to any team in the league, so we're delighted,” said Lavelle.

The captain’s game ended prematurely due to injury midway through the second half but his replacement Matthew Cowan had a big impact as well to score the equaliser and Lavelle beamed about he 19-year-old’s display.

“Mattie was brilliant to be honest. I was delighted for him to get the opportunity and lovely to score a goal like that in the cup final, he’ll remember it. So, delighted from Mattie.” United had their chances to win but failed to take them, with their final one denied by a great save by Emmet Peyton, who recalled the words of manager Alan Henry in the week leading up to the final. 

“I think when you're playing Westport in a cup final it's always difficult. You're just hoping to do your little bit for the team. I suppose we had a tough season all year. I suppose we fell a little bit short ourselves and we were disappointed that we didn't get a bit closer to Castlebar Celtic. 

"So it was important for us as a team, as a squad, to leave with a bit of silverware here today. Throughout the week, (the manager) said ‘we have to go and earn it’. And I think we went and earned it and you could see that when we went 2-1 down, that we were still in the game. We thought we were never out of it and thought the lads put in a great shift to dig us out there today.” 

Peyton added: “We were players down, but there's great belief in the squad. We made a mistake with the first goal to let Westport back in it.

“The second half, we regrouped, we gathered again. I thought the lads, you know, went two-one down early in the second half which was a bit of a surprise because we thought we were on the front foot at that stage so that was a bit of a gut punch at the time. But like I said, we were, you know, always willing to put in the shift today. We're just delighted to get over the line.” One man who put in the work was man of the match Raff Cretaro, playing in a deeper role than he is accustomed to. But the former Sligo Rovers was happy to do what was needed and was delighted that the Town’s commitment throughout the season be rewarded.

“If I’m asked to play anywhere, I’ll do it. The team is what it's about and for me, more than anything, I'm just delighted for the group of lads because we know the work that's been put in all year, you know, the trainings. twice a week, weeks we’re off, we'd have friendly stuff like that. So there's been a lot of, you know, lads putting their kids second to an extent. They're with us, so we know the commitment that's been put in all year. So I'm just delighted for all the lads to finish off the season the way we have with some silverware, but not only with the silverware, but with a performance like that today.” 

Lavelle said the Super Cup is a tribute to the work that Alan Henry, Hugh Cunningham and Raff Cretaro have done with the team this year and hopes this can be the platform for Town to have a Connacht Cup run as well as push on next season in the Super League. 

“After a good performance throughout the league, it would have been a shame to come away with nothing today and have no silverware at the end of the season. So, to the likes of Alan, Hugh and Raff, they put in so much work all year. The effort they put in in analysing teams, preparation for games. It's great to have that now to kick on and I'm just delighted for them to be honest, especially because I think they deserve it more than anyone on the team. 

"Winning trophies, you never get sick of it and it's a habit. Winning trophies is never a bad thing. Hopefully it kicks us off for next season and the Connacht Cup to come.”