Extra-time epic as Mayo decides its finalists
Mike Murray of Ballina Stephenites is caught in a trap set by Knockmore players in Saturday's Mayo SFC semi-final, but Murray and his teammates escaped to victory. Picture: Michael Donnelly
Despite an inspirational display by teenager Kobe McDonald, the fairytale of Crossmolina Deel Rovers hit a rocky chapter on Saturday evening, as the North Mayo side’s hopes of winning intermediate and senior county championships in consecutive seasons was ended in dramatic circumstances at Fr O’Hara Park, Charlestown.
McDonald scored ten points for the Deelsiders but Westport fought back from the brink to secure a four points win after extra-time, with a late brace of points by substitute Kevin Keane and a two-pointer by goalkeeper Paddy O’Malley sealing a 1-24 to 1-20 win for the Coveys.
It sets up a repeat of the 2022 Mayo SFC Final, as Westport, who lifted the Moclair Cup for the first time on that occasion, will take on Ballina Stephenites in next weekend’s 2025 final, the Stephenites having won both finals since.
Niall Heffernan’s team had a much more comfortable afternoon when overcoming their neighbours Knockmore by 1-12 to 0-8 in the first of the day's semi-finals.
Ballina had led by 1-8 to 0-2 after 50 minutes in front of a subdued attendance at St Tiernan’s Park in Crossmolina, with Luke Doherty burying home the goal after Conor McStay's intercept of a Knockmore kick-out. In contrast, the atmosphere was electric in Charlestown where Crossmolina had led by one point at half-time in normal time and again at half-time in extra-time, before Pat Holmes’ side hit a purple streak down the stretch to book their place in the 2025 Mayo SFC final, to be played on Sunday, October 19.
Conor Loftus had struck the crossbar from a second-half penalty for Crossmolina after which Killian Kilkelly converted from the spot for Westport.
Elsewhere, the Mayo JFC final will be an all-East Mayo affair after Eastern Gaels and Kiltimagh got the better of the North Mayo duo of Bonniconlon and Ardagh respectively in Saturday afternoon’s semi-finals.
Gaels overcame last season’s finalists Bonniconlon 1-11 to 0-11 while Kiltimagh fought back from four points behind at half-time to eventually see off Ardagh by two points, 1-18 to 2-13.
The intermediate finalists will become known on Sunday afternoon as the semi-finals see Kiltane face Kilmeena and Moy Davitts tackle Ardnaree, in Knockmore and Ballina.
