Long wait over as Aghamore turn the tables on ‘Tubber
Aghamore midfielder Sean Og Tigue puts himself between the Ballintubber duo of Jack Diffley and Jason Gibbons in an attempt to win possession in last Sunday's dramatic championship encounter in Claremorris. Picture: Conor McKeown
For the first time since 2008, Ballintubber have failed to reach the Mayo SFC quarter-finals. Their long-standing run of at least emerging from their group was finally brought to an end on a manic, windswept, rain-soaked afternoon in Claremorris. An Aghamore side that for years has hovered on the edge of a breakthrough finally came of age, producing a display of belief, physicality and clinical finishing to secure a historic last-eight berth.
It was a game that twisted and turned, a contest that looked to be slipping away from Aghamore at half-time before igniting in a second-half defined by two goals, towering midfield displays and a defensive effort that held firm against one of Mayo’s most decorated club sides.
Early on, it seemed like business as usual for Ballintubber. Ruthlessly efficient in front of goal and controlled without being spectacular, they dictated tempo and territory through a combination of smart ball retention and direct attacking play. By the end of the first quarter they led 1-5 to 0-3, Ciarán Gavin in serious form as he slotted a two-point free before scoring his side’s only goal with a composed finish past Adam Byrne. Gavin added another score, while Jason Gibbons and Stephen O’Malley also pointed, leaving the West Mayo side firmly in control.
Aghamore, wearing navy and gold, were nervy in these early stages, their attack restricted largely to three points from Tom O’Flaherty, yet the half finished tit-for-tat, both sides trading scores to leave Ballintubber ahead at the break by 1-8 to 0-6. The score of the half – and perhaps the match – came on the stroke of time, as Mayo hurler Liam Lavin curled over an outrageous two-point free to keep Aghamore’s hopes alive. The wind, swirling and blowing sideways, made clean striking a luxury neither team could consistently achieve, while handling errors and misplaced kicks were commonplace in the conditions.
Aghamore began the second-half like a team possessed, Fergal Boland showing his class with an early settler before Seán Óg Tigue rose highest to turn in an effort from close range after Jack O’Connor’s initial shot dropped dangerously into the square. It was a huge moment, shifting momentum and giving Paul Hickey’s side a belief they had not shown in the opening 35 minutes.
Tigue was totemic on the day, forcing the midfield battle in his favour on a horrid day and driving his side on all day long.
Ballintubber steadied briefly, going three points up again through scores from Stephen O’Malley and Ciarán Gavin, a free, but Aghamore drove on regardless. Tom O’Flaherty and Liam Lavin added points, and then came the second goal that effectively turned the tie, as Jack O’Connor, one of Mayo’s most natural finishers, stepped up and clinically slotted home from 13 yards to underline his reputation in front of goal. Remarkably, with 15 minutes remaining, Ballintubber would register only two more points, a Diarmuid O’Connor ’45 and a late Jason Gibbons score, while Aghamore dominated proceedings, controlling restarts, winning second balls and forcing Ballintubber into rushed, low-percentage attempts.
Seán Óg Tigue was destroying the Ballintubber kick-out, winning virtually all of Aghamore’s own restarts and providing the platform for his team to play through the middle despite the conditions. His influence was the single biggest factor in Aghamore’s second-half ascendancy. At the other end, Oisín Greally delivered a very impressive individual display, keeping Cillian O’Connor scoreless from play, while Brendan Harrison, Conor Hunt and Conall Breslin anchored a very solid Aghamore defence, standing firm when Ballintubber tried to force the issue late.
Liam Lavin, Tom O’Flaherty, Fergal Boland and Jack O’Connor all worked extremely hard and were busy throughout, contributing crucial scores when they were needed and showing huge maturity in possession. All four kicked big points at key moments as well, Boland finishing with three scores and Lavin’s early second-half free helping swing the momentum.
Points from Boland, three in total, and an insurance score from substitute Ross Egan sealed the deal, Egan cupping his ears to the crowd deep into injury time after he fisted over to put Aghamore four points clear. It was a gesture that captured the emotion of a long-awaited breakthrough.
As the final whistle went, word came through from Charlestown that Crossmolina had been held to a draw by Mayo Gaels, that result meaning Aghamore were not only through but guaranteed a home quarter-final, making the celebrations in Claremorris all the sweeter for a club that has been so close for so long.
Scorers – Aghamore: Fergal Boland and Tom O’Flaherty (1f) 0-0-5 each, Jack O’Connor and Sean Og Tigue 1-0-0 each, Liam Lavin 0-1-1 (1tpf), Ross Egan 0-0-1.
Ballintubber: Ciaran Gavin 1-1-3 (1tpf, 0-2f), Stephen O’Malley and Jason Gibbons 0-0-2 each, Cillian O’Connor (m), Diarmuid O’Connor (’45) and Michael Plunkett 0-0-1 each.
Aghamore: Adam Byrne; Conall Breslin, Oisin Greally, Conall Hession; James Lyons, David Kenny, Conor Hunt; Sean Óg Tigue, Michael McNeive; Brendan Harrison, Liam Lavin, Jack O’Connor; Tom O’Flaherty, Cillian Mooney, Fergal Boland. Subs: Keith Cassidy (for Kenny ht), Derry Óg Cox (for McNieve 44), Ross Egan (for Mooney 48).
Ballintubber: Brendan Walsh; Jack Prendergast, Brian Murphy, Ethan Lyons; Michael Plunkett, Diarmuid O’Connor, Bryan Walsh; Jason Gibbons, Finian Burke; Keelan McDonnell, Cillian O’Connor, Tiernan Brady; Ciaran Gavin, Stephen O’Malley, Josh Mahon. Subs: Joe Geraghty (for Walsh 7, inj), Jack Diffley and Stephen Burke (for Prendergast and Geraghty 49), David McHale (for Brady 57).
REF: Kevin Connelly (Hollymount-Carramore)
