High drama as derby goes down to the wire
The footballers of Burrishoole who were crowned U16 'B' champions of West Mayo after their one point win against visiting Kilmeena last Thursday evening. Pictures: John Moylette
In the context of a game that finished with just one point separating the teams, home advantage was probably the critical factor in Burrishoole’s annexing of the West Mayo U16 ‘B’ football championship title, after a thrilling final played in Newport’s McGovern Park last Thursday evening.
Both sets of supporters were kept on tenterhooks right until the final whistle, with the visiting Kilmeena team playing its part in a cracking contest between neighbouring clubs. Goals would ultimately prove the difference, with Burrishoole scoring three of them compared to Kilmeena’s one.
Adding to the drama was that both sides would also miss penalties.
This local derby drew a large attendance to McGovern Park and while it was Kilmeena who were first on the scoreboard, a ninth minute goal by Ruairí Ginnelly sent hosts Burrishoole into the lead.
There was a great pace to the early exchanges and after that goal, the teams matched each other scorer for score until the 20th minute, with Burrishoole points by Finn McHale and Finn McDonnacha negated by Jason Feehan and Finn Mulchrone for the visitors. Things got even better for Kilmeena when Darragh Mulchrone found the back of the Burrishoole net in the 29th minute to put the Black and White ahead, however, enough time remained before half-time for the home side to restore parity and leave the scoreboard reading 1-5 apiece at the change of ends.
The winning of this game was effectively in the opening seven minutes of the second-half when Burrishoole hit their opponents for a goal and two points without reply, the major scored by Finn McHale. Indeed a third Burrishoole goal, again scored by McHale, would strengthen the home side’s position further, albeit points by Tadhg Daly and the Mulchrone boys, Finn and Darragh, helped keep the visitors in touch.
Both sides were to fail to convert penalties in a second-half that provided plenty of entertainment for the spectators but while Kilmeena were to finish the game particularly strong, it was Burrishoole’s goals which made the difference on the evening and saw them pick up the coveted West Mayo title.
Burrishoole: Harry McManamon; John O’Sullivan Irwin, Kian O’Malley, Sean Nevin; Charlie Coyle, Jake Barrett, Cianan Keane; Dylan Sheridan, Eoin O’Malley; Shane Kelly, Finn McHale, Feidhim Guilfoyle; Ruairí Ginnelly, Finn McDonnacha, Kyle McManamon. Subs: Eoin O’Malley, Joey McNally, Daire McDonnacha, Mikey Kilroy, Daithí McGreevy.
Kilmeena: Tom Cox; Donnacha McGauley, Robbie Murphy, Lorcan Holland; Jack Ivan, Cian Moran, Jamie Quinn; Alan Heanue, Tadhg Daly; Jason Feehan, Kevin Hastings, Finn Mulchrone; Eoghan Smyth, Jason Lawless, Darragh Mulchrone. Subs: Luke O’Donnell, Noah Coghlan, Billy Lane, Lorcan Lane, Ryan Cannon, Liam Quinn, Jamie Durkan, Charlie McLoughlin, Paul Joyce.
