13-men Kil’ title hopes of their South Mayo rivals
The Kilmaine team celebrate their against-the-odds win against Ballinrobe in last Sunday's Division 4 final in Hollymount. The winners had two players sent-off in the first-half. Pictures: Andy Walsh
Mayo SFL Division 4 – Final
Kilmaine ‘B’ 1-10
Ballinrobe ‘B’ 0-8
Patrick Hennelly in St Coman’s Park, Hollymount
Despite playing the majority of this game with just 13 men, Kilmaine staged a Lazarus-style second-half comeback to edge their South Mayo rivals in unseasonal conditions at Hollymount last Sunday afternoon.
The weather consisted of heavy mist and a swirling wind which hampered what was expected to be a high octane showdown between these great rivals at the ‘Saucer’.
Ballinrobe made a positive start when James Marrey popped over the opening score of the afternoon inside the first minute.
Kilmaine then had to rejig their game plan after only four minutes when former Mayo senior attacker Brian Maloney was forced to retire early through injury. The Green and Red knuckled down though, and they levelled matters after 11 minutes courtesy of a well-placed free by the reliable Ruairi Barrett.
The first-half was certainly a feisty affair, however, tempers frayed on 16 and 28 minutes when both Kilmaine’s Darren Munroe and Evan Heraty were dismissed by referee Kenny Durcan.
Ballinrobe did their utmost to utilise their numerical playing advantage and they tagged on points courtesy of Dean Shaughnessy, a free, and Conor Jennings, a brilliantly executed point, on 19 and 20 minutes respectively.
The chasers badly needed a boost and it arrived when the effervescent Brendan Sheridan slotted over a neat effort on 23 minutes. However, when Kilmaine were reduced to 13 men, the Green and Red had to circle the wagons for the remainder of the half and during the nine minutes of stoppage-time, the Robesiders garnered points courtesy of Darren McDonnell (two perfectly placed long-range frees) and Tom Quinn. Indeed, the latter’s effort could just as easily have been a goal were it not for the fine reflexes of Kilmaine goalkeeper Dylan Walsh who tipped the leather over the crossbar.
Leading 0-6 to 0-2 and a two man advantage, everything seemed rosy for Ballinrobe at the break. However, the chasers showed their second-half intent early on when Brendan Sheridan pilfered possession and bisected the posts inside the opening minute.
The Ballinrobe game-plan then suffered a major set-back when their talisman and free-taker Darren McDonnell was stretchered off on 37 minutes, which is also a big worry for Peter Ford ahead of the upcoming intermediate championship.
McDonnell’s replacement, Seamus Langan, then picked up a black card after just one minute on the pitch, and once again the Robesiders had to reshuffle their deck.
A resurgent Kilmaine were fired up for the second period and they very nearly plundered a goal on 43 minutes when Mikey McDonagh’s free fell short and into the path of Sheridan. Liam Lynch came to the rescue for Ballinrobe and produced a fine blocked save.
Barrett then reduced the deficit to just two points on 47 minutes, and when his teammate Kevin Mullin landed a monstrous pointed free from distance on 50 minutes, a grandstand finish was in store for both sets of rival supporters in the packed stand.
Ballinrobe were desperately trying to halt their opponent’s new found momentum, but they suffered another major set-back when Joseph Burke was dismissed on 52 minutes.
Kilmaine’s Sheridan very nearly struck a goal with seven minutes left to play, but once again he found Liam Lynch in top form as a combination of the custodian and his defence thwarted the effort. But from the recycled possession, Sheridan found himself in possession of the leather and this time he landed a superlative long-range point, much to the delight of the raucous Kilmaine supporters.
The final quarter belonged to Kilmaine and they took full advantage of a Ballinrobe game-plan that seemed out of kilter – as the Robesiders made too many misplaced passes and basic mistakes.
Kilmaine nudged in front for the first time in this contest on 56 minutes when Mullin guided over an inspirational ’45 and their lead was soon enhanced courtesy of a fine point by Sheridan.
Ballinrobe tried their level best to launch an attacking foray on 58 minutes, however, Kilmaine’s Finn O’Loughlin snaffled up the loose ball and fed a superb pass into the path of Sheridan whose bullet finish rustled the back of the net, to muster a 1-8 to 0-6 lead for his side.
Kilmaine put the icing on the cake courtesy of a brace of scores from Kyle Munroe and Barrett, a free, as their supporters couldn’t believe the turnaround in fortunes.
Ballinrobe tried to launch a late flurry, with the busy Jonathan Lawrence landing two frees during the six minutes of stoppage-time, however, the day belonged to Kilmaine and they were the ones singing in the rain at the full-time whistle.
Scorers – Kilmaine: Brendan Sheridan 1-4, Ruairi Barrett 0-3f, Kevin Mullin 0-2 (1 ’45, 1f), Kyle Munroe 0-1.
Ballinrobe: Darren McDonnell and Jonathan Lawrence 0-2f each, Conor Jennings, James Marrey, Dean Shaughnessy (f) and Tom Quinn 0-1 each.
Kilmaine: Dylan Walsh; Darragh Acton, David Hughes, Connor Ryan; Darren Munroe, Evan Heraty, Michael Kelly; Finn O’Loughlin, Kyle Munroe; Ruairi Barrett, Kevin Mullin, Brian Maloney; Mikey McDonagh, Brendan Sheridan, Tom Lynagh. Subs: John Heraty (for Maloney 4, inj), Naoise Burke (for Lynagh 21), Ciaran Burke (for McDonagh 44, inj).
Ballinrobe: Liam Lynch; Conor Keane, David Murphy, Sean Coyne; Jason Butler, Garry Mellett Connolly, Sean Flannery; Conor Jennings, Joseph Burke; James Marrey, Dean Shaughnessy, Adam Flannery; Simon Boyle, Darren McDonnell, Tom Quinn. Subs: Seamus Langan (for McDonnell 37, inj), Darragh Lynch (for Butler 41), Jonathan Lawrence (for Boyle 47), Gerard Lynagh (for Quinn 51).
REF: Kenny Durcan (Bonniconlon)
