Bragging rights goes Ballina's way in north Mayo derby
Action from last Sunday's north Mayo derby between Ballina Town and Conn Rangers.
Elverys Sports Super League
Conn Rangers 2
Ballina Town 3
At Mount Falcon
Ballina Town bounced back from last week’s defeat against Castlebar Celtic to claim the bragging rights over Conn Rangers in the first north Mayo derby of the season between the two sides.
Town were the better side in the opening half hour, although they were susceptible to the lightning quick Conn counter attack. It was from one of those counters, however, that was the launching pad for Ballina’s opening goal. After Eoin Prendergast’s touch saw the ball go over the end line, Chris Maughan gave it out to Jamie Cawley down the left wing and cut it back to the edge of the box, before Oisin Tighe took a touch and hit a looping shot into the back of the net.
Led by the outstanding Dylan McKee, Ballina piled the pressure on Conn and they got a second when Conor Gorman got the ball at the back post. He took a touch and cut inside Ajay McGrath to fire a left-footed strike inside the near post to make it two-nil.
Conn needed some inspiration at it came through the introduction of Cian McHale, who pulled one back within a minute of coming on as a substitute in the second half. Colm Rutledge got down the line and cut it back to McHale to fire an unstoppable strike into the top-right corner on 48 minutes.
Three minutes later, however, Ballina’s two-goal advantage was restored. A Ballina cross was cleared away by the head of McGrath landed at Eoin Prendergast’s feet 30 yards from goal, but his touch took him away from him and the onrushing Dan Gorman thundered a first-time shot into the bottom corner.
The goal was a killer blow for Conn, but they were not without chances to rescue a draw. Evan Reape saw a golden opportunity go over the bar from 10 yards and while Conor Flynn hit a brilliant strike into the top corner in injury time, Ballina hung on for the three points.
Conn Rangers: Brian McMahon, Brian Durkan, Ajay McGrath, Tuan O’Horo, Owen McNamara, Darragh Jordan, Colm Rutledge, Oisín McDonagh, Evan Reape, PJ Gilmartin, Eoin Prendergast. Subs: Cian McHale (for Gilmartin 46); Conor Flynn (for Jordan 65); Liam Durkan (for Prendergast 68); Ciaran Brogan (for McGrath 74); Shane Farrell (for McHale 98).
Ballina Town: Emmet Peyton, Conor Quinn, Stephen Melvin, Chris Moore, Chris Maughan, Dan Gorman, Conor Gorman, Oisin Tighe, Tiernan Tighe, Dylan McKee, Jamie Cawley. Subs: Jack Casey (for Moore 59); Matthew Cowan (for C Gorman 60); Ryan Moran (for T Tighe 73); Lee Corcoran (for D Gorman 83); Jamie Moyles (for Cawley 89).
REF: Damien McGrath.
