Conn punish wasteful Ballyheane for the perfect league start
Conn Rangers and Ballyheane players battle for possession in the Rangers’ goal area during the Mayo Super League tie at Mount Falcon last Sunday. Pictures: David Farrell Photography
Conn Rangers got their season off to the perfect start at Mount Falcon on Sunday afternoon last as they put Ballyheane to the sword with an at times swashbuckling display.
Set against the background noise of the nearby Mayo Stages Rally it was the home side who sped their way through the Ballyheane defence on numerous occasions and arguably should have been much more comfortable by the final whistle.
But for a fantastic display of goalkeeping by John Vahey the North Mayo men wouldn’t have been flattered with six or seven goals on the scoreboard.
It took Rangers just six minutes to open the scoring when Cian McHale whipped in a corner which evaded everyone in the penalty area and nestled in the back of Vahey’s net.
Ballyheane had a chance to get back on level terms immediately after the restart when Shea McAtamney found himself in possession in front of goal and as he tried to get around Brian McMahon he was fouled by the keeper and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
The visitors captain, Jack Tuffy, stepped up to take the spot kick but it was weakly hit and close to McMahon who easily saved.
McMahon was called into action again in the 21st minute as Rory Morris hit the target when a corner was not properly cleared but the keeper was equal to the shot.
Sean Holmes had two good chances for the home side to extend their lead before the break. His first chance was blocked as it looked to be heading goalward and in the 42nd minute he fired inches wide from the edge of the box.
The second-half began as the first had ended with Rangers in the ascendancy. Sustained pressure on the Ballyheane goal right from kick-off, including a great chance from Holmes which saw an excellent close range save by Vahey, eventually yielded a goal in the 53rd minute.
Cian McHale, despite lying injured on the ground, played an excellent through ball which found Eoin Prendergast near goal and the striker made no mistake hitting the net from close range.
It took the visitors just two minutes to get back in the game when Jack Rochford kept a loose ball alive before rounding McMahon in the Rangers goal and teeing up Morris to fire to an empty net.
Despite getting themselves back into contention Ballyheane never looked like hitting an equaliser.
Conn Rangers took complete control of the game as they went in search of restoring their two goal cushion and but for some heroics from Vahey and a last ditch tackle by Tuffy in the 65th minute the home side would have been out of sight.
The highlight of Vahey’s performance was keeping out a 20 yard attempt from Cian McHale in the 66th minute which seemed destined for the top corner. Somehow the keeper saw the shot coming through a crowd of bodies and pushed it away for a corner.
Just a minute later, however, the home side wrapped up the points when Prendergast squared the ball towards Liam Durkan in front of goal but Dara Ludden saw the ball bounce off his heel and into the net.
Rangers pushed for a fourth goal but with Vahey in the form he was it was always going to be difficult and the keeper kept out further chances from Prendergast and David McHale.
The home side couldn’t add to their tally before the final whistle but will be happy with their opening day and could prove a challenge for any team this season.
REF: Eric Eaton.
