Maree left merry as ‘Heane suffer penalty heartache

Connacht Cup Quarter-Final 

Ballyheane 1 

Maree/Oranmore 1 

(Maree/Oranmore won 3-2 on penalties after extra-time) 

Patrick Hennelly at Pat Quigley Park 

Maree/Oranmore held their nerve during a tense penalty shoot-out to dramatically book their ticket into the Connacht Junior Cup semi-final, with Ballyheane crestfallen at the end of proceedings.

The atrocious weather conditions on Sunday were more akin to a day in January than spring, however, both sides were full of endeavor throughout this keenly-contested joust and gave it their all.

Having played 14 games in the Galway FA’s Premier Division, Maree/Oranmore currently sit third in the top flight, eight points behind table toppers Salthill Devon, and the in-form visitors crafted the first noteworthy effort. A tidy move saw Liam McDonagh latch on to possession and his two close-range headers in quick succession forced a brace of fine reflex saves from the alert John Vahey.

Relieved at the let-off, Ashley Stevenson’s charges fashioned the lead goal on 12 minutes. A rampaging run from Ben Edeh saw the striker force a fine parried save from Galius Babonas, with the custodian also displaying cat-like reflexes to parry Nathan Reilly Doyle’s follow-up effort. But the Galway custodian was powerless to prevent a third strike in as many seconds, as Edeh’s drive nestled in the bottom corner of the net.

Edeh was on song and very nearly added a second for the hosts towards the end of the opening quarter, but this time his chance drifted narrowly wide, much to the relief of the away bench.

Maree/Oranmore, managed by former Galway United defender Brendan O’Connor, were under the cosh, however, the promptings of their playmaker Colm Whelan proved a vital outlet for the guests as they sought to gain some vital possession in the midfield sector.

But it was the Mayo Super League outfit who went close to scoring again on 25 minutes, when a chance was conjured up for the raiding Liam Morrin but he found Babonas in fine fettle.

Indeed, the visiting ‘keeper definitely earned his post-match soup and sandwiches when he brilliantly tipped Dylan Stevenson’s dipping drive over his crossbar a minute later.

Just when the Green and Black had the momentum, there was a four minute hold up to proceedings as Babonas’ goal had to receive some running repairs as the top of the net had come loose from its rigging.

When the action resumed, the delay seemed to have an adverse effect on the home side and Maree/Oranmore very nearly fashioned the leveller on 36 minutes, as a neat swivel and volleyed strike from McDonagh forced John Vahey into an excellent save.

The Pat Quigley Park outfit could well have enjoyed a two goal cushion at the break, but Reilly Doyle’s chance flew inches over the crossbar.

Just three minutes into the new period, the visitors restored parity. Malachy Black pounced on possession and despite his fizzing drive being parried by Vahey, the poaching McDonagh was on hand to ram home the equaliser, much to the delight of the vocal away supporters.

Despite the weather conditions deteriorating even further, Brendan O’Connor’s troops had found some new energy and the Blue and White very nearly edged in front on 59 minutes but somehow the retreating Jack Tuffy managed to block Ethan McCauley’s goal-bound strike.

Tuffy then very nearly belied his defensive berth by snatching the lead for the locals on 63 minutes, but his decent chance in the box was blocked by a swarm of Maree/Oranmore bodies.

At the other end, McCauley could well have edged his team in front on 74 minutes, but he spurned a gilt-edged chance before seconds later Ballyheane’s Edeh was thwarted by the vigilant Babonas.

During the dying embers, Ben Costelloe could well have been the match winning hero for the Galway side when skipping past the home defence and bearing down on Vahey’s goal, but his effort flashed agonisingly wide.

Both periods of extra-time lacked clear-cut opportunities and the outcome of this tie was going to be decided by the lottery that is the penalty shoot-out, with the rain remarkably stopping for the cliffhanger of a finale.

Ballyheane were first up and over the course of the spot-kicks, Sean Kilcoyne and Stevenson found the back of the net, with Dara Ludden (wide) and Niall Vahey (saved) left to rue their luck. Maree/Oranmore’s first three spot-kicks were clinically dispatched by Kacper Zatonski, Luke Smith and Whelan. Maree/Oranmore’s fourth penalty taker, Darragh Cleary, saw his fine effort saved by Vahey, however, Babonas brilliantly thwarted Ryan Meldrum’s fifth spot-kick for Ballyheane, thus securing a dramatic semi-final ticket for the guests.

Ballyheane: John Vahey, Niall Vahey, Alan Hegarty, Ryan Meldrum, Jack Tuffy, Dara Ludden, Sean Kilcoyne, Dylan Stevenson, Nathan Reilly Doyle, Ben Edeh, Liam Morrin. Subs: Robbie Fadden (for Morrin 59), Rory Morris (for Edeh 108).

Maree/Oranmore: Galius Babonas, Jack Morrissey, Shane Cox, Keelan Eyers, Conor Keady, Kacper Zatonski, Ethan McCauley, Liam McDonagh, Ben Costelloe, Colm Whelan, Malachy Black. Subs: Luke Smith (for Black 73), Ciaran Black (for McDonagh 76), Josep Planella O’Keefe (for McCauley 92), Rory Carberry (for Eyers 103), Darragh Cleary (for Costelloe 110, inj).

REF: Jimmy Cawley