Stiffest test yet for Westport United

THERE was a sense in Belleek Park that for the Super League to be truly competitive this year, it required Ballina Town to take all the three points on offer.

A win for the home team would have meant that the gap between them in second and United in first was reduced to five, and with nine games still left it would have been all to play for.

It didn’t materialise like that though and while United were given their stiffest battle to date this season, they still took the points and in the process increased their lead to 11 points. They have now won their first nine league games on the trot. The season is now officially at its halfway point and though there are still 27 points to play for, it will take an implosion of gargantuan proportions for United not to retain the title they last won two years ago.

Yet, titles and points were the last thing on most people’s minds after 11 minutes when Dara O’Boyle ended up needing hospitalisation after apparently losing consciousness moments after being substituted for a facial injury. The accidental collision with Phillip Keegan had led to O’Boyle leaving the field and play had resumed for a couple of minutes until it became clear that something serious had occurred.

Thankfully, there was expert medical attention on hand and the Ballina player was in good hands until the ambulance arrived around 25 minutes after the match was suspended.

The game was held up for around 20 minutes while O’Boyle received treatment and when it resumed it was the visitors who were quickest into their stride as J.P. O’Gorman got on the end of a superb Phillip Keegan cross from the right wing to fire past Mark Duffy.

That was after half an hour, and a few minutes later it was two-nil with a near replica of the first goal. This time Pat Moran set Keegan free and again the winger showed his crossing ability with a first-time effort that was gleefully buried by O’Gorman. Moments later O’Gorman showed the creative side of his game when he set up David Hoban but Mark Duffy in the Ballina goal made a wonderful save from close range to deny the visitors.

Pivotal
It proved to be a pivotal moment as just seconds later, Benny Lavelle picked the ball up around 20 yards from goal and his low angled strike beat Gary Cunningham to make it 2-1.

The first half ended with the home ‘keeper Mark Duffy receiving lengthy treatment following an awkward fall after jumping for a cross with David Hoban.

There were no more goals in the second half but there were plenty of chances. After just two minutes Jamie Cawley headed a good chance wide and a minute later the same player fired off target when clean through after a penetrative run by Lavelle.

Ballina looked dangerous from set pieces and Gary Cunningham did well to deflect a Daniel Gorman free away for a corner while Joe Lawless just managed to hook the ball away when another Gorman free had caused consternation in the visitors’ defence.

A rare mistake by Lawless led to Martin Geraghty doing really well to deny Benny Lavelle, while Gary Cunningham had to be at his sharpest to prevent Paul Moran from going around him on the hour mark.

Without ever looking like the team they can be, United did create a few openings and Mark Duffy did well to thwart Pat Moran when he shot from the edge of the area. The ‘keeper also prevented J.P. O’Gorman from notching a hat trick with a fine save, while substitute David Horkan was just over with a trademark header after 85 minutes.

In fairness to United, they did manage the closing stages of the game well and the final minutes were all played deep in the Ballina half. The second half finished like the first, with a player receiving lengthy treatment following a clash that left Phillip Keegan writhing in agony on the ground.

Ballina Town: M. Duffy, D. O’Boyle, S. McKee, B. Higgins, B. Giblin, D. Gorman, D. McKee, S. Moyles, P. Moran, B. Lavelle, J. Cawley.
Subs used: P. O’Boyle, A. O’Hora.

Westport United: G. Cunningham, S. Tagg, C. Keane, M. Geraghty, J. Lawless, D. Cameron, P. Keegan, D. Scahill, P. Moran, J.P. O’Gorman, D. Hoban.
Subs used: P. Fitzgerald, D. Horkan, J. O’Donnell.

Ref: D. McGrath (Barnatra).

*Star rating: J.P. O’Gorman…always a threat.