Glenhest best in shield final

Glenhest Rovers surprised everyone bar themselves in winning the Connacht Gold Shield by three goals to nil against fancied Ballina Town at Milebush Park today.

Captain Chris Rowland said after the win that they came with a game plan and carried it out to perfection as three second half goals sealed victory against a Town side that had been reduced to 10 men midway through the first half.

It was Town 'keeper Kieran O'Malley who picked up the red card after racing from his goal to try and prevent Rowland going clear on the left wing, something he achieved only by committing a foul outside his area.

The Super League side managed to keep it level until the break but Glenhest, with wind advantage, scored after just three minutes of the second half when Paddy Mulchrone broke through the Ballina defence and set up Declan McManaman for a tap in.

Ten minutes later it was 2-0 when Mulchrone headed in beyond substitute Ballina 'keeper Shane Coen, while the same player made it 3-0 with 20 minutes to go with a smart finish when sent clear from midway inside his own half.

Ballina Town: K. O'Malley, J. Muldoon, B. Giblin, D. Gorman, P. Duffy, N. Leahy, D. Quinn, S. Moyles, B. Lavelle, D. McKee, A. Mullaney.

Subs used: S. Coen, C. Gaughan, J. Cawley.

Glenhest Rovers: M. O'Malley, S. Ryder, A. Rowland, D. Walsh, S. Loftus, S. Mulchrone, P. McLoughlin, C. Rowland, D. McManamon, L. Barrett, P. Mulchrone.

Subs used: J. O'Malley, D. McNulty, D. Moran.