Ballina Stephenites hold on to go top of Division 1
Mike Murray on the ball for Ballina Stephenites during their AbbVie Mayo SFL Division 1 encounter against Belmullet last Saturday evening at James Stephens Park. Picture: Ballina Stephenites GAA Club
There were perfect conditions for a game of football on Saturday evening as Ballina Stephenites and Belmullet battled it out in an extremely tight contest. Stephenites came into Saturday evening as favourites, yet this match was anything but simple for the Ballina boys.
The home side started out on the front foot holding a large majority of the possession in the first five minutes and after two early wides, Brendan Collins put the hosts in front after Luke Feeney impressively claimed the Belmullet kickout.
Belmullet's early kickouts proved ineffective, with Ballina dominating the midfield battle. The hosts converted these turnovers into two quick scores from Mike Murray.
Belmullet got a hold of the ball for seemingly the first time after around 10 minutes but with no success. Ballina regained possession and moved fluidly inside the Belmullet half leading to a free kick just inside the arc. Patrick Carr slotted the free over confidently with the kick looking like it would have been good from 50 metres.
The four-point deficit seemed to shock the away team into life as two minutes later, Colin Barett put the men from Blacksod Bay on the board.
The away team did not give Ballina a chance to regain their control and after a few minutes, the pacey James O’Maolabhail combined with Evan O’Iomhair to have the latter man bearing down on goal. O’Iomhair got his shot away but was pulled back in the process leading to the referee pointing to the spot. Diarmuid Fionn O’Donoghue dispatched the spot kick with power and Ballina’s early lead was wiped off after 15 minutes.
Mike Murray followed with a lovely score off his left boot to regain the lead for Ballina. After a period of continuous pressure, Patrick Carr lofted a high ball into the box, which was caught by the towering Luke Feeney. The ball was laid off to the oncoming Sean Treacy who poked the ball into the back of the Belmullet net.
Belmullet surged forward forcing a brilliant close range save from David Clarke, and the following 45 was knocked over by Belmullet shotstopper Leon Reuland.
The last 10 minutes of the half were characterized by missed chances for Belmullet who were wasteful with their free kicks, while Ballina added on two more points through Ben Thornton and Patrick Carr, leaving the hosts five points up at the half, 1-7 to 1-2.
Just as it was in the first half, Ballina started on the front foot. The freshly introduced Barry Walsh claimed a subpar Belmullet kick out and popped the ball to Ciaran Treacy who slotted the ball over.
Belmullet’s corner forward Eamon Mac Aindriu answered with a smart score cutting in from the right-hand side and suddenly, Belmullet tails seemed up and the away side looked rejuvenated.
Ballina’s Brendan Collins soon received a booking for a body check, giving Belmullet a free from just inside the arc which was cooly placed over by Reuland. The Belmullet goalkeeper was called on again a few minutes later when they received a free just outside the arc giving, them the opportunity to cut the home side's lead to two points. Reuland provided a sweet strike with incredible technique, sending the ball soaring over the black spot.
Belmullet’s attractive scoring did not stop there as five minutes later, Eoin O’Donnchu made his way forward. He received the ball on the right-hand side outside the arc and sliced across it beautifully, drawing Belmullet level with a kick you knew was over as soon as it left his boot.
The two teams exchanged quick points leaving both teams at 1-9 apiece, before Ballina’s Matthew Leonard was booked to the dismay of the home crowd for an off the ball collision.
Ciaran Treacy produced a great score in a high-pressure moment to give Ballina the lead back while Ben Thornton capped a great midfield display, claiming the ball of the following kickout. Ballina squandered two chances to extend their lead from free kicks leaving the game on a knife's edge as Belmullet rushed forward looking for an equaliser.
The visitors were given a golden chance in the dying moments as a free was awarded to them just inside the arc. The goalkeeper who was flawless with his free kicking all day was called up once more. Reuland's connection was good, but his aim was not on point this time, as Ballina came away with a slim home victory in a game that could've gone either way.
