Mortimer stars as two-goal Claremorris shade local derby
Rio Mortimer (left) was outstanding for Claremorris in their derby win over Balla.
Introduced as early as the 11th minute as a result of an injury to corner-back Darragh Fitzpatrick, teenage defender Rio Mortimer went on to deliver a Man-of-the-Match performance for Claremorris as they won Friday night’s local derby with Ballina in Division 1B of the Mayo Senior Football League.
There were great showings from Aiden Butler and Matthew McCormack for the winners too, but Mortimer was consistently the best on display in what ended as a three points victory for the visitors.
The game was far from a classic but it was a professional and clinical performance from Kevin Beirne’s Claremorris that secured their second league win of the season.
As with all local derbies, there were numerous big hits, flashpoints and dogged determination from both sides, but two goals just 60 seconds apart early in the second-half gave the South Mayo side a lead they would never relinquish.
Claremorris went from one cagey point ahead to seven points clear and comfortable, in front of a raucous Nally Park atmosphere. They were able to park the bus and see the game out by scoring only two more points in the remaining 20 minutes.
U20 starlet Rio Mortimer was outstanding, with the St Colman’s student’s consistent ball carrying and passing catching the eye. But Claremorris were well rounded overall and Matthew McCormack (1-2) and Stephen McGreal (0-3) both stood out in attack, while Aiden Butler marshalled the defence expertly while also grabbing one of the crucial goals after a marauding attacking run.
After the Mayo U20s recent championship exit, Mortimer and Darragh Beirne gave Claremorris a youthful injection, while David Dolan and Oisin Cronin both featured for Balla. Cronin’s cameo in the last 15 minutes was a joy to behold, with the silky corner-forward’s two points coming from audacious range and angle, inspiring a fightback that just petered out.
It was tit-for-tat in the first-half and the sides were level at the break. McCormack and Stephen McGreal were outstanding for Claremorris, the duo racking up all but one of Claremorris’ five points, McGreal’s efforts coming from range and with style off his cultured left boot.
Balla were well in it though, and Colm Murphy was well serviced by the likes of Matty Flanagan and Conor Walsh, and the tall full-forward helped himself to three first-half points. Shaun Dempsey and Cillian Golding both added scores for the hosts too, while James Shaughnessy ensured the sides would be level at the break.
Balla would be playing with a big breeze in the second-half but it was Claremorris who made all the early running. It began with a James Shaughnessy free before Balla goalkeeper Dolan didn’t deal properly with an aimless ball into the square, spilling it to Aiden Butler who cooly slotted home.
It would soon get better for Claremorris. Conor Diskin, in his first senior game since a devastating knee injury last year, made a brilliant run to find McCormack who lashed past Dolan to land a second Claremorris goal in mere minutes.
Balla were now seven points adrift but would battle back, with quick scores from Gary McHale, Cronin, two, the first which almost had to be seen to be believed, from outside the ’45 off his ‘weaker’ left boot.
A Maroon comeback was on and McHale struck again with another point, but Butler and McCormack added further points for Claremorris and the goal Balla needed simply never came.
