Holly-Carra come good when it counts

Mayo SFL Division 1B – Round 9 

Hollymount-Carramore 3-14 

Balla 0-12 

John Paul Heaney at St Coman’s Park, Hollymount 

The situation was clear for both teams heading into Saturday’s clash at the Saucer. A victory for Hollymount-Carramore was guaranteed to stave off relegation, a victory for Balla was guaranteed to secure Division 1 football next season. And as the half-time whistle was sounded by referee Ronan Gurren, both sides were tied on 0-8 apiece, and it was extremely hard to predict the winner. However, once Robert Molloy struck the back of the Balla net just two minutes after the resumption, the wheels fell off for the visitors and Hollymount-Carramore ran out comfortable winners, outscoring their opponents 3-6 to 0-4 in the second-half.

Whether that was a true reflection of the actual second-half itself is another debate, as Balla had a lot of possession, but their shooting in front of the goal became the biggest talking point. It was not good to say the least, and the Balla management team were infuriated with their side’s shot selection throughout.

For the home side, it was job done and a place in Division 2 of the restructured league for 2026 was assured, which was the biggest target of Hollymount-Carramore manager, Mark Concannon.

“We didn’t think there would be much in at the end, but we got a couple of goals, a couple of breaks went our way in the second-half, and we just pulled away rather easily in the end.” All the attention now turns to the championship, and speaking to the Western People afterwards, Concannon said he was well aware about the challenges that lie ahead.

“Championship is what it’s all about. That’s been the focus for us since the start of the year. We only came back in March, and with the age profile of our team and just the situation some of our lads were in, we knew it would be late enough in the year that we’d be coming together fully.

“Division 1B is a tough campaign with strong teams. We only came up last year. 2019 was the last time Hollymount-Carramore were up in Division 1, so you’re getting tested all the time, and once you're down in numbers and not having each and every player available for selection, you will always be under pressure,” explained the manager.

“We weren’t really happy with our performances early on in the league. We have started to get it all together with a couple of challenge matches over the last two, three weeks, so we kick on. Louisburgh away in championship is all the focus now for mid-August. It’s a tough start having to make the journey back there. Then we have Moy Davitts here in Hollymount. It’s a really tough group, but it’s all about that Louisburgh game. I wouldn’t be under any illusions about them and what they are doing, they will be so hard to beat in that opening contest,” he concluded.

As already mentioned, the teams were deadlocked at half-time last Saturday evening. Darren Coen, who kicked two two-pointers throughout the game, was Hollymount-Carramore’s main score-getter in the first-half, with three in total, while Matthew Morris also added two points. For Balla, Val Roughneen kicked a two-pointer, Oisin Cronin added two points, and full-forward Gary McHale did likewise, one from a free and one from play, with Conor Nolan also getting off the mark to keep them right in touch. But that’s as good as it got for Balla, as their challenge faded badly after the break.

Two goals for the home side shortly after the resumption from Robert Molloy and Tom Morris opened up daylight that would never be threatened. Balla only hit three points throughout the entire second-half, including a two-pointer from Gary McHale. Matthew Morris, Darren Coen and midfielder Michael Sheridan all added points for the winners who ended the day with a third goal three minutes from time by substitute Conor Heneghan.

Considering the home side was without Stephen Coen, who watched on, there is no doubt that maybe the pieces are just falling together at the right time for the boys from South Mayo to mount a serious challenge for the much sought-after Sweeney Cup later this year.

Scorers – Hollymount-Carramore: Darren Coen 0-2-3 (2tpf, 2f), Matthew Morris 0-0-4, Thomas Morris 1-0-1, Robert Molloy and Conor Heneghan 1-0-0 each, Michael Sheridan 0-0-2.

Balla: Gary McHale 0-1-3 (1tpf, 2f), Val Roughneen 0-1-0, Conor Nolan and Oisin Cronin 0-0-2 each, Patrick McHale 0-0-1.

Hollymount-Carramore: Nathan Moran; Stephen Conroy, Dylan Jennings, John Walsh; Barry Sheridan, Oisin Duffy, Enda Maloney; Michael Sheridan, Nathan Moran; Jack Keane, Thomas Morris, Tiernan Egan; Matthew Morris, Robert Molloy, Darren Coen. Subs: Kevin Costello (for Maloney ht), Conor Heneghan (for T Morris 43, inj), Padraig Feerick (for Walsh 55), Oisin Gill (for M Sheridan 56), Finian Walsh (for Coen 60+1).

Balla: Matthew Flanagan; Sean Brohan, Conor Dunleavy, Brian O’Donovan; Jude Clarke, Patrick McLoughlin, Aaron Dunleavy; Cillian Golding, Val Roughneen; Colm Murphy, Conor Walsh, Conor Nolan; Patrick McHale, Gary McHale, Oisin Cronin. Subs: Ryan Fadden (for Roughneen 46), Liam Glynn (for McHale 51), Iarlaith Golding (for Dunleavy 56), Nathan Kenny and Pierce Dunne (for O’Donovan and Brohan 60+1).

REF: Ronan Gurren (Aghamore)