Disbelief as Ballyheane left to pay the penalty in cup showdown

From ecstasy to feelings of injustice.

That may sum up how Ballyheane felt at the end of yesterday's dramatic FAI Junior Cup tie, as Ballinasloe Town advanced to the last 16 of the competition in very controversial circumstances.

With the scores tied at 6-6 in the penalty shoot-out, the drama was only beginning!

Video: Posted on Twitter by Walter McEvilly

Ballyheane's Ben Edeh converted his penalty and Ballinasloe Town substitute Josh McCarthy stepped up to keep his side in the tie.

He sent his penalty well wide and the Ballyheane players and management raced off in celebration, understandably presuming they were through.

Yet they weren’t.

The assistant referee on the goalline consulted with the referee and adjudged that Ballyheane goalkeeper Luca Meldrum was off his line, although videos on social media circulating after the game clearly show the Ballyheane shotstopper to be on his line.

The Mayo Super League champions were left in disbelief as the referee confirmed to all in the Curragh Grounds that the missed penalty was to be retaken.

McCarthy made no mistake second round to level.

Ryan Meldrum looked to put Ballyheane in front once again in the shootout but his penalty was saved by Aidan Fallon.

Ballinasloe captain Ben Hope then stepped forward to win, and he did not need a second invitation to send his side through.

But this may not be in the end of the matter.

A spokesperson for Ballyheane FC confirmed to The Connaught Telegraph today that the club is in consultation with the Connacht FA in regard to what course of action may be open to them.