Controlled display eases ‘Port past West rivals

Connacht Gold Mayo SFC Group 4 - Round 3

Westport 0-15 

Balla 0-11 

Nathan Guilfoyle in Josie Munnelly Park, Castlebar 

After last year’s narrow encounter, where Westport overcame Balla by two points, expectations were high for Sunday’s winner-takes-all clash in Castlebar. Many anticipated a tight, nail-biting affair, but Westport produced a controlled and efficient performance to record a comfortable victory, securing their place in the quarter-finals while leaving Balla to reflect on what might have been.

Westport’s approach was direct and incisive, a route-one style of football that contrasted sharply with Balla’s slower, more laboured build-up. Kevin Keane was a key target in Westport’s attack, though Ger Flanagan did his best to keep him contained. Even so, Westport’s ability to gather the breaking ball and transition quickly into attack allowed Killian Kilkelly to shine throughout the contest. From deep, Eoghan McLoughlin, Lee Keegan, and Conal Dawson provided relentless energy, driving Westport forward and creating constant pressure. Joey Holmes and Luke Tunney also impressed with their sharp movement and accurate scoring.

Balla, with the wind in their favour in the first-half, struggled to capitalise. They raced into the game through a pair of early Westport points from Keegan and Rory Brickenden, before goalkeeper David Dolan produced a superb long-range two-pointer to level the score after ten minutes. Oisin Cronin offered a consistent threat for Balla, but a lack of service meant he often had to drop deep to win possession, preventing the visitors from building sustained momentum in attack.

Dolan struck again with a second two-point free following fine work from Cronin, giving Balla a temporary lead. The teams traded frees in the opening quarter, with Gary McHale’s responded to by Kilkelly, leaving Balla 0-5 to 0-3 ahead. Westport then surged clear, with Kilkelly adding two more points and Holmes also on target. A late half-chance of a goal fell to Balla’s Luke Flatley, but an outstanding save from Patrick O’Malley kept Westport in front.

A ’45 from O’Malley combined with a point at the other end from Oisin Jordan saw Westport lead 0-7 to 0-6 at the break, setting them up nicely with the wind advantage to come for the second-half.

Westport started that half strongly, although Tunney’s early point was met with a fine solo score from Cronin. However, Westport quickly reasserted control, moving three clear thanks to frees from Dawson and Kilkelly. The game remained scrappy at times, with neither side able to settle into a fluent rhythm. McHale’s free reduced the deficit to two midway through the half, but Westport’s dominance in midfield and their sharp counterattacks soon extended their lead to four points. Kilkelly and Dawson both added scores, with Tunney delivering a final insurance point in injury time to ensure a five-point margin.

Balla added a late Dolan two-pointer, but with a win required and Westport already assured of progression with a draw, the contest was effectively decided. A late free awarded for dissent saw Kilkelly wrap up a comprehensive Westport victory, which set up a quarter-final clash with Breaffy.

Westport’s performance was never flashy but thoroughly effective, demonstrating the value of precision, teamwork and composure under pressure.

Scorers – Westport: Killian Kilkelly 0-0-7 (5f), Luke Tunney and Conal Dawson (2f) 0-0-2 each, Lee Keegan, Rory Brickenden, Joey Holmes and Paddy O’Malley (’45) 0-0-1 each.

Balla: David Dolan 0-3-0 (3tpf), Gary McHale 0-0-2f, Oisin Cronin, Oisin Jordan and Colm Murphy (f) 0-0-1 each.

Westport: Paddy O’Malley; Ben Doyle, Niall McManamon, Brian McDermott; Conal Dawson, Eoghan McLoughlin, Tom Lambert; Rory Brickenden, Lee Keegan; Brian O’Malley, Joey Holmes, Luke Tunney; Ray Walsh, Killian Kilkelly, Kevin Keane. Subs: Conor Calvey (for Lambert ht), Colm Moran (for Keane 55).

Balla: David Dolan; Jude Clarke, Ger Flanagan, Brian O’Donovan; Conor Dunleavy, Oisin Jordan, Patrick McLoughlin; Cillian Golding, Odhran O’Connor; Colm Murphy, Luke Flatley, Ryan Fadden; Gary McHale, Conor Walsh, Oisin Cronin. Subs: Shaun Dempsey (for McLoughlin 21-25, blood), Dempsey (for Dunleavy ht), Val Roughneen (for Fadden 48), Patrick McHale and Jamie Moran (for Flatley and McHale 49), Aaron Dunleavy (for Golding 59).

REF: Jerome Henry (Castlebar Mitchels)