Four-goal Westport lift divisional crown
The Westport team who got the better of Breaffy in the final of the West Mayo U14 'A' football championship which was played in Islandeady. Pictures: John Moylette
Despite not scoring for the majority of the third quarter, Westport served up a treat in the finale as a goal from each of their full-forward line helped them secure the West Mayo U14 ‘A’ title over a gallant Breaffy, on a wet and windy evening in Islandeady on Monday last.
Breaffy started brightly with a great point from Conor Moran followed up by one from Seamus Murphy. Westport would nudge ahead by the seventh minute with three points on the spin through Rian Lally, two, and Ruairí O’Neill.
After the woodwork denied both Jack Ryan and Conor Moran, Breaffy were back level with a point from Rory Brogan but Westport would score four of the next five points. Two apiece from Jamie Holmes, one free, and Rian Lally made it 0-7 to 0-4 after 19 minutes.
Conor Moran brought it back to two before Ethan Canny hit the frame of the goal with a great effort after he was put in by Seamus Murphy. Canny would find the sweet spot when striking between the Westport posts moments later, however, Jamie Holmes found the net down at the other end after his point attempt dropped short and sailed over the head of Breaffy goalkeeper Luke Lavin.
Jack Ryan’s first point of the evening left three between them at the break, 1-7 to 0-7, in Westport’s favour, but Breaffy overturned that and moved into a three-points lead nine minutes into the second-half. Jack Ryan was in all-action mode, scoring two marvellous points, before his attempt for a third from play came back off the crossbar on 35 minutes and Ethan Canny was there to smash the loose ball into the roof of the net.
Ryan then converted a short free that was brought centrally for dissent but Westport were given a golden opportunity to stop the Breaffy momentum. Referee Paddy Chambers signalled for a penalty after full-forward Mark O’Connor was fouled when through on goal and Jamie Holmes calmly sent Luke Lavin the wrong way to level.
Rory Brogan finished off a slick Breaffy move with a point, and Seán Conway and Jack Ryan traded singles, before a crucial moment arrived on 56 minutes as Rian Lally’s diagonal ball picked out Mark O’Connor and he palmed it into the net for a third Westport goal.
Jack Ryan kept Breaffy’s hopes alive with his sixth point but Westport made sure of victory through Rian Lally’s late goal, followed by a point from Fionn Killeen in stoppage-time.
