Nothing separates Ballina Town and Ballyheane
Ballina Town's Benny Lavelle is beaten by Ballyheane gpalkeeper Luca Meldrum. Picture: John Corless
Ballina Town earned a valuable point away to title rivals Ballyheane after fighting back to claim a 1-1 draw in an intense Super League contest at Pat Quigley Park on Saturday evening.
The result leaves the title race finely balanced, with just two points separating the top four sides. Ballina remain firmly in contention after producing another disciplined display against one of their closest challengers.
This was a cracking match between two quality sides that mixed sporting physicality with smooth skill and was an excellent advertisement for junior football in Mayo.
The game began at a high tempo, with both teams prepared to move the ball quickly and compete for every challenge. Ballyheane created the first opening when Nathan Riley-Doyle combined with Liam Irwin to release JP Mulcahy, but Emmett Payton reacted well to smother the effort. Irwin also tested the Ballina goalkeeper with a low shot soon afterwards.
Ballina responded positively. Oran Canavan set up Jamie Cawley, whose cross drifted beyond everyone, before Jack O'Brien combined with Raff Cretaro, but his effort was comfortably saved.
At the other end, Adam Blake rushed a promising opportunity before forcing another save from Payton midway through the half. Ballina continued to enjoy good spells of possession, however, and Cretaro fired over before Jesse Devers had an effort ruled out for offside. Benny Lavelle then tested goalkeeper Luca Meldrum, who turned his shot behind for a corner.
Blake thought he had given Ballyheane the lead on 34 minutes, only for the assistant referee's flag to rule the effort out. Ballina immediately threatened again when Devers released Lavelle, but Meldrum produced another save.
The visitors continued to create chances. A flowing move involving Devers, O'Brien and the Cawleys ended with Lavelle heading wide before Devers again tested the Ballyheane goalkeeper.
Despite Ballina's pressure, it was the home side who broke the deadlock five minutes before the interval. Blake raced onto a clearance and was fouled just outside the penalty area. Irwin's powerful free kick proved difficult for Payton to gather on the hard surface and Jack Tuffy reacted quickest to score from the rebound.
The first half ended after a lengthy stoppage caused by a leg injury to Nathan Reilly-Doyle; he was replaced by Gareth Dunne. Ballina finished the half on the attack, with Jamie Cawley forcing another save, but they went into the dressing room trailing despite having created some good chances.
Town started the second half with renewed purpose. Canavan won possession in midfield before Cretaro, Jamie Cawley, Lavelle and David Cawley combined in a move that ended with David Cawley shooting over. Devers then forced another save from Meldrum before another attack involving Devers, Cretaro and O'Brien ended narrowly wide.
Ballina continued to press. Devers sent a free kick wide after Cillian Redmond was penalised for handling outside the area, while Cretaro's effort was again dealt with by Meldrum.
Ballyheane grew into it and pushed up on Ballina. Blake headed over at the back post before Irwin struck the base of the upright from a free kick. Dylan Stevenson and Irwin both had further efforts as the home side looked to extend their advantage.
Ballina made a decisive change on 73 minutes when PJ Gilmartin replaced Oran Canavan. The reshuffle and substitution had an immediate impact. With his first touch, Gilmartin, at the back post, drove home to level it.
The visitors looked the more likely winners after drawing level. Devers attempted an ambitious overhead kick from Dylan McKee's delivery, while Gilmartin fired one effort over and forced another save from Meldrum.
There were still chances at the other end. Chris Maughan almost diverted a back header into his own net before Blake created an opening for Irwin, but his shot was saved by Peyton. Deep into stoppage time, Gareth Dunne picked out Irwin again, but he miscued with the goal at his mercy.
Neither side could find a winner in the closing minutes, and the final whistle confirmed a draw that reflected an even contest. Ballina will take encouragement from their response after falling behind and from another strong performance against one of the teams competing with them for the Super League title.
Ballyheane: Luca Meldrum; Donie Behan, Jack Tuffy, Cillian Redmond, Dan Purcell; Michael Fahy, Liam Irwin, Dylan Stevenson, Adam Blake; JP Mulcahy, Nathan Reilly Doyle (Gareth Dunne 45). Subs: Gareth Dunne, Niall Vahey (for Mulcahy 57).
Ballina Town: Emmet Peyton; Jack O’Brien, Chris Maughan, Daire O’Connor, Jamie Cawley; David Cawley, Oran Canavan, Raff Cretaro, Tommy Forde; Jesse Devers, Benny Lavelle. Subs: Dylan McKee (for O’Brien 63), PJ Gilmartin (for Canavan 73).
REF: Damien McGrath.
