Ballina Town blast their way into cup final
Ballina Town’s Leon Geraghty, (13), taps the ball into an empty net for his side’s third goal during the Westaro Cup semifinal last Sunday. Watching on is Jamie Cawley, scorer of Ballina Town’s second goal. Picture: David Farrell Photography
A game played in perfect conditions in Concannon Park served up an intense battle and it was the Moysiders who prevailed through for another shot at gaining their hands on cup glory.
The first opportunity arose with 11 minutes on the clock with Matthew Cowan sending a delicious cross to Conor Gorman who was unable to direct his header goalwards.
Daniel Gorman was the heartbeat in the Town midfield and crashed a driving effort wide of the target from the edge of the box on 17 minutes.
The Claremorris press was causing problems in the Town backline which almost saw John Heneghan intercept a pass from goalkeeper Emmet Peyton with the netminders pass going out for a throw.
Town were tidy in and out of possession and the slick passing almost paid off on 32 minutes. Tiernan Tighe was played in perfectly and timed his run well to beat the offside trap but fluffed his lines and sent his shot wide of Keith Saunders post.
Gorman littered the box in the second half with heavy crosses which both Andrew Shally and Chris Maughan failed to find the back of the net.
Town were now beginning to sense that a goal was just around the corner and it deservedly came on 60 minutes. Gorman yet again proved to be a menace for the home side and unleashed a stinging effort from 25 yards which arrowed into the top corner leaving Saunders helpless.
Town smelt blood and continued to pepper the Claremorris backline and Dylan McKee found the target but was kept out by Saunders on 64 minutes. Cowan got into the act and sent a low effort from 20 yards which seemed destined to ripple the net but was stopped magnificently by the Saunders.
Liam Kearns was introduced from the bench for Claremorris and the striker teed up Ben Smyth on 77 minutes with the latter unable to get the ball out of his feet.
The Town response to the Claremorris opportunity was ruthless. Intricate patient build up play in the middle saw the ball go to McKee who cut down the right flank and sent a teasing cross to the onrushing Cawley who smashed home a dagger to Claremorris hearts on 83 minutes.
That seemed to be clincher for Town but Claremorris had other ideas. James Morley, returning to the Greens fold breathed new life into the home team and picked out Oisin Brady who crossed to Smyth who made no mistake from six yards to set up a grandstand finish with the game entering the final furlong.
Claremorris tails were up and pushed for the equaliser in injury time. A Claremorris corner was sent in with (Saunders also coming up) and was swallowed up by Peyton. The veteran then played an inch perfect long ball to Leon Geraghty who punched Town’s ticket to Milebush by firing into an empty net with no one home.
REF: John Mulroe.
