Robesiders down 'Hest for first league win this season
Connor McCarthy of Glenhest Rovers shields the ball from Ballinrobe Town captain Oisin Connolly. Picture: John Corless
Ballinrobe Town picked up their first points of the season and lifted themselves off the bottom of the Super League table with a 2-0 win over Glenhest Rovers at home on Sunday morning.
It was the south Mayo sides first win in the competition in 12 games - a run dating back to June of last year and it will be a huge lift to the club after a tricky start to the season.
It had been a cagey sort of game up until Connor Ryan’s breakthrough goal in the 67th minute with neither side creating major chances of note or dominating the game. Glenhest’s efforts were thwarted by a solid Ballinrobe defensive display with Jonathan Lawrence the pick of the players in their back four.
“It was a very tough battle as we knew it would be, we knew what Glenhest would be about. It was nip and tuck in the first half but we regrouped at half time and were able to step it up a gear or two in the second half,” said Lawrence at full time.
“We handled them very well, our back four was really solid and we have been in the first three games and were unlucky to concede a few goals but we held Glenhest out well today.” Garry Mellet Connolly came closest for the home side in the first half with a hit and hope volley from outside the area. Glenhest sharpshooter Conor McCarthy, starting his first game of the season after scoring 31 in all competitions last season, had a brilliant effort well blocked by Lawrence in the 39th minute.
It would be two Ballinrobe substitutes who would come to the fore as they found the opener. Peter Finnerty entered the fray in midfield and immediately got involved, drawing a free kick just inside the Glenhest half. Lawrence stepped up and floated it into the area and keeper Nathan Barrett failed to clear and Connor Ryan pounced to score. Ryan was unfortunate to go off with an injury shortly after scoring but it proved to a memorable cameo for the winger.
Glenhest pushed forward looking for an equalizer and they got a free kick from a good position. Levi Barrett smacked it low and straight into the wall. It came out to Adrian Rowland but Ballinrobe pressed and Oisin Hanlon robbed possession from Rowland and raced through. He went around Nathan Barrett and dinked it towards the open net but it smacked the post. His blushes were saved by Peter Butler, who had joined him on the canter upfield and tapped in Ballinrobe’s second of the game.
