Ballina Stephenites advance to Connacht semi-final
Ballina Stephenites' Evan Regan was top scorer with 0-5 as the Mayo senior champions defeated North London Shamrocks. Picture: INPHO/Tom Maher
Mayo senior champions Ballina Stephenites are through to the AIB Connacht club SFC semi-final after disposing of North London Shamrocks (NLS) 0-15 to 0-9 in Ruislip this afternoon.
Evan Regan and Frank Irwin led the line for Niall Heffernan's side in the first half but the London champions should have been much closer at the break. Michael Carroll missed a penalty for the hosts while Ciaran Diver, who gave county star Sam Callinan a tough time of things, blasted over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
A pair of points each by Ciaran Diver and Joe McGill gave the Londoners hope but each time they raised a white flag, Ballina popped up with one of their own as the Stephenites efficiency in front of the posts, with only two wides in the first half, saw them lead 0-9 to 0-4 at the break.
Thomas Lenihan and Joe McGill reduced to the gap to four but an improved defensive display saw Ballina snuff out any goal threat. Ballina saw out the remainder of the half with relative ease as a brace from Luke Doherty, coupled with further efforts by Regan, Ciaran Treacy and Brendan Collins saw the Stephenites set up a semi-final with Sligo champions Coolera/Strandhill next Sunday, November 17, at 1.30pm.
