Ballyhaunis hurlers enjoy convincing win in Mayo championship opener
Keith Higgins, Ballyhaunis, attempts to clear his lines despite the close attention of Castlebar Mitchels’ Kevin Keena during the Mayo SHC Round 1 game at Castlebar last Sunday. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Ballyhaunis got their 2026 Connacht Gold Mayo Senior Hurling Championship campaign off to a winning start on Sunday afternoon, running out 16-point winners over Castlebar Mitchels in difficult conditions in Josie Munnelly Park.
Persistent rain made for a tricky afternoon, with the wet surface making it difficult for both sides to keep possession and find their range in front of the posts.
Castlebar Mitchels made the brighter start as Barry Lane opened the scoring inside the first minute with a point from play.
Ballyhaunis were level soon after, with Cormac Phillips opening his account in the third minute before adding another score three minutes later.
The East Mayo side then began to take control, hitting three points in quick succession through Adrian Phillips, Michael Farrell and Kieran Kiely.
Cormac Phillips converted a free in the 12th minute for his third point of the afternoon before Adrian Phillips added another from play to leave Ballyhaunis six points ahead.
Ronan Treacy reduced the deficit to five points for Mitchels when he sent the sliotar over the bar from play.
Both sides struggled to find their range at times, with a number of efforts dropping short or going wide as the difficult conditions continued to have an impact.
Ballyhaunis were more clinical when opportunities came their way, with Cormac Phillips converting another free before adding a point from a 65 three minutes later.
Michael Farrell then added another score before Cormac Phillips struck once more as Ballyhaunis went into the interval with a 0-11 to 0-1 advantage.
Mitchels needed a strong start to the second half, and they got one when Paul Mongey found the target from play just 30 seconds after the restart.
Kevin Rowland followed with another score shortly afterwards, cutting the Ballyhaunis lead to eight points.
The visitors responded well to the early pressure, with Kieran Kiely pointing from play before Cormac Phillips converted a 65 to restore their 10-point advantage.
Adrian Phillips added another point before Ronan Treacy responded for Castlebar, but Ballyhaunis continued to hold the upper hand.
Cormac Phillips remained a constant threat from placed balls and added another point in the 48th minute to bring his personal tally to seven.
The Ballyhaunis full-forward added another score shortly afterwards before Adrian Phillips also got his name on the scoresheet.
Mitchels continued to battle despite the growing deficit and Lucas Kenny converted a free for their final score of the afternoon.
Ballyhaunis finished the scoring with two late points, Ryan Kilbane and Eoin Ryan both finding the target in the 58th and 59th minutes respectively.
The result sees Ballyhaunis make an impressive start to their championship campaign, while Mitchels will have to regroup ahead of their next outing.
Ballyhaunis' greater accuracy in front of goal proved decisive on an afternoon when the conditions made scoring opportunities difficult to come by.
Cormac Phillips led the way with nine points, while Adrian Phillips, Michael Farrell and Kieran Kiely also made important contributions as Ballyhaunis secured a convincing opening-round victory.
Scorers – Ballyhaunis: Cormac Phillips 0-9 (3f, 2 65’), Adrian Phillips 0-6 (1f), Michael Farrell and Kieran Kiely 0-2 each, Ryan Kilbane 0-1.
Castlebar Mitchels: Barry Lane, Ronan Treacy, Paul Mongey, Kevin Rowland, and Lucas Kenny (f) 0-1 each.
Castlebar Mitchels: Martin Parsons; Ciaran Treacy, James Lowe, Anthony Rowland; Eoin Enright, James Lyons, Conor Murray; Corey Scahill, Lucas Kenny; Pearce Murray, Paul Mongey, Kevin Rowland; Kevin Keena, Ronan Treacy, Barry Lane. Subs: Conor Donaldson (for Kenny), James Curran (for Rowland), Aaron Harcourt (for Keena), John Cotter (for Lane).
Ballyhaunis: Donal O’Brien; Mark Phillips, Danny Hill, Eoghan Collins; Diarmuid Phillips, Keith Higgins, Liam Herr; Kieran McDermott, Jason Coyne; Kieran Kiely, James Lyons, Adrian Phillips; Michael Farrell, Cormac Phillips, Eamon Phillips. Subs: Sean Gildea (for Hill), Eoin Ryan (for Farrell), Sean Morley (for Higgins), Joe Flynn (for E Phillips), Ryan Kilbane (for Lyons).
