Fallon finds his range as spoils are shared in Claremorris
Breaffy’s Aidan Cunningham feels the pain after contact with Claremorris midfielder Matthew Macken during Saturday evening's Mayo SFL Division 1 encounter. Pictures: David Farrell Photography
A dramatic finale in Claremorris on Saturday evening saw the home side snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat, with goalkeeper Darragh Fallon landing a sensational last-second two-point free to cap a remarkable comeback.
Claremorris appeared out of contention as the game ticked into injury time, trailing by five points after a strong final-quarter surge from Breaffy. However, they refused to wilt. A pointed free from Niall Hurley steadied the ship before Adam Beirne raised hopes with an excellent two-pointer from distance. When Breaffy conceded a late free that was advanced for dissent, Fallon stepped up and showed nerves of steel to split the posts from beyond the arc and rescue a share of the spoils.
A draw was a bit flattering to Claremorris who struggled to find rhythm at times but have to be credited for a never say die attitude and worked as a side tirelessly in the second half. Breaffy had the majority of the ball but failed to take chances throughout.
The visitors did, however, have the outstanding player on the field in the shape of Davitt Neary, who was at his brilliant busy best, bringing a savage intensity to his play both on and off the ball and oozing class in posession.
There was little to separate the sides in a tightly contested opening half. Claremorris struggled to create and failed to score from play at all during the opening half but remained in touch thanks to Niall Hurley’s accuracy from placed balls, with Hurley hitting five impressive frees, while goalkeeper Darragh Fallon nailed an excellent ’45. Breaffy worked well as a unit and had points in the opening quarter from Aidan Cunningham, two, Joe Mellett and Pierce Deane.
As the interval approached, Claremorris had a narrow advantage, but Breaffy finished the half strongly. Mellett curled over a superb outside-of-the-boot point before Pierce Deane struck for a well-taken goal to leave the visitors 1-5 to 0-6 ahead at the break.
The goal was the highlight of an incisive attacking move, with Davitt Neary bursting through the middle and picking out Deane, who showed great composure to finish to the net. Neary’s relentless running and energy was causing persistent problems for the Claremorris defence.
Neither side scored in the opening fifteen minutes of the second-half in a cagey affair, but Claremorris gradually worked their way back into contention. A well-taken punched point from Cathal Joyce brought the sides level by the 45th minute, and the contest remained finely poised as points were exchanged between an excellent Paul McDermott score and Adam Beirne’s opener for the day, after good work from Harry Smyth.
Breaffy then seized control with an impressive burst of scoring. Deane converted a free, wing-back Ross Connolly surged forward to land a fine point, and substitute Liam Irwin showed that class is permanent with two excellent efforts.
Although Hurley was clicking into gear and fired over his best of the day soon after, Breaffy continued to press. Conor O'Shea was influential around midfield, while Neary again featured prominently in a move that set up Tommy O’Reilly for a point before Deane added another to stretch the lead to five.
At that stage, Breaffy looked set for victory and deserved credit for their control and attacking efficiency during that spell. But Claremorris showed admirable resilience. Hurley and Beirne reduced the deficit, and Breaffy were trying to work the clock but a fantastic turnover from Darragh Joyce gave the homeside possession before Fallon’s unforgettable late intervention ensured a dramatic and unlikely draw.
Scorers – Claremorris: Niall Hurley 0-0-8 (6f), Adam Beirne and Darragh Fallon (0-1 ’45) 0-1-1 each, Cathal Joyce and Darragh Joyce 0-0-1 each.
Breaffy: Pierce Deane 1-0-3 (2f), Liam Irwin, Joe Mellett and Aidan Cunningham 0-0-2 each, Ross Connolly, Paul McDermott, Tommy Reilly and Davitt Neary 0-0-1 each.
Claremorris: Darragh Fallon; Paul Gilmore, Darragh Fitzpatrick, David Slattery; David Hurley, David O’Reilly, Johnny Cummins; Darragh Joyce, Matthew Macken; Padraig Cummins, Niall Hurley, Harry Smyth; Cathal Joyce, Dara Hurley, Adam Beirne. Subs: James Stretton (for O’Reilly ht, inj), Sean O’Connell (for Smyth 40), Smyth (for J Cummins 50).
Breaffy: Luca Meldrum; Mark Ward, Mark Dervan, Daire Morrin; Ross Connolly, Paul McDermott, Gavin McManamon; Robbie Fadden, Conor O’Shea; Aidan Cunningham, Davitt Neary, Jude Lavin; Joe Mellett, Pierce Deane, Gareth Dunne. Subs: Tommy O’Reilly (for Mellett 44), Liam Irwin (for Dunne 50).
REF: Shane Corcoran (Islandeady)
