Late Hurley winner keeps Claremorris back-to-back hopes alive
Niall Hurley stuck 0-11 and the winner for Claremorris in their U21 quarter-final win over Ballina Stephenites.
Reigning under-21 champions Claremorris fell over the line in what was a proper battle in Claremorris on Sunday afternoon.
Played on the recently renovated pitch in Alan Feeley Park, which is in great shape, David Hurley was the hero, kicking the winning score in injury-time after the sides were deadlocked in the 61st minute.
Claremorris never really played their trademark free flowing football at this level, and it was a struggle at times for Kevin Beirne’s men. While they were missing All-Star forward Darragh Beirne, Niall Hurley continued his strong form with elven points, with eight of those from play, but in general Claremorris were wasteful in attack. Paul Gilmore was very busy in midfield, while Rio Mortimer made his return from injury in the second half, and battled well.
Ballina Stephenites were very competitive and had numerous strong performances. Patrick Carr was top class from dead balls and his striking from the ground was a joy to watch, and while Ballina weren’t really free flowing, they stayed in the game throughout. Carr kicked a beautiful two-point free entering injury-time to level the game, and with the momentum the Stephenites easily could’ve gotten the win had they won the resulting kickout.
Ballina only had three substitutes with them and gave it a great effort in what was their first campaign at this level in years due to not entering the competition after winning three senior titles in a row. Conor Jordan and Luke Feeney formed a formidable partnership in midfield, and the pair battled extremely well throughout. Jordan kicked two excellent two-pointers in the first half and was impressive.
Ballina started the game extremely well and Claremorris barely entered the Stephenites’ half for the opening ten minutes, with Carr landing a free and a 45’, while their press on Claremorris causing numerous issues.
The visitors raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead, with Jordan’s two-pointer and a point from Oisin McCann giving them a super start. Claremorris were slow out of the blocks but got going through Dara Hurley and Aiden Brogan, before Niall Hurley kicked three in a row to level things up after twenty minutes.
Ballina played in fits and starts and led leading up to half-time, Jordan with another excellent two-pointer, combined with a free from Carr. The sides went in level at the break at 0-8 apiece, Paul Gilmore and Niall Hurley (two) with points for Claremorris, in what was a weird half given that Ballina were much more efficient and would have been happier of the two with their performance, but Claremorris were still level having not played that well.
Claremorris raced out of the blocks in the second half and led 0-13 to 0-9 after 41 minutes. Mayo under-17 Aidan Brogan kicked his second of the day, with Gilmore and Niall Hurley beginning to really fire with a two-pointer and a free. Ballina were hanging in there though, Carr remaining excellent with a superb two-point free, combined with two other points.
Rio Mortimer was operating at centre-forward for Claremorris and had a very good impact on the game, kicking in great ball and dictating play. Claremorris were clicking into gear and led 0-15 to 0-12 entering the third quarter, with the Hurley twins with a point from play each, and it looked like they were going to turn for home and run away with it.
Ballina Stephenites scored the games only goal minutes later, a sideline kicked into the square, with substitute Matthew Leonard winning out in front and firing home. The sides were level again and with ten to play, it was all to play for.
Niall Hurley hit two in a row and the home side looked to have won it, but Ballina were still fighting very hard and a foul outside the arc gave Carr the chance to level it up in injury time, which he did with aplomb. It truly could have gone either way, but Dara Hurley made a spectacular catch from the resulting kickout, leading to his younger brother David firing over the winning score off his left boot in injury-time. It was a very good game and Claremorris are still in the hunt to win their second under-21 title in a row. Crossmolina Deel Rovers now await in the semi-final.
Scorers - Claremorris: Niall Hurley 0-2-7 (3f), Dara Hurley, Paul Gilmore and Aidan Brogan 0-0-2 each, David Hurley 0-0-1.
Ballina Stephenites: Patrick Carr 0-2-5 (2tpf, 3f, 1 ’45), Conor Jordan 0-2-0, Matthew Leonard 1-0-0 Oisin McCann 0-0-1.
Claremorris: Evan Campbell; Stefan Petkovic, David Slattery, Conor O’Brien; Matthew Gilligan, David Hurley, Eoghan O’Hare; Harry Smyth, Paul Gilmore; David Heaney, Craig Cassidy, Jack Noone; Dara Hurley, Niall Hurley, Aidan Brogan. Subs: Rio Mortimer (for Heaney ht), Sean O’Connell (for Gilligan 35), Jack Comer (for O’Hare 58).
Ballina Stephenites: Daniel Cowen; Diarmuid Duggan, Daniel Feeney, Michael McDermott; Sean Fleming, Andrew Barrett, James Ruane; Conor Jordan, Luke Feeney; Michael Carolan, Jack Clarke, Mark Hession; Patrick Carr, Oisin McCann, Matthew Jordan. Subs: Sean Fitzpatrick (for Clarke ht), Matthew Leonard and Niall Peoples (for Ruane and Jordan 35).
REF: Garryowen McMahon (Davitts)
