Ballyheane prevail in Mayo top flight encounter as Ben Edeh returns

By Patrick Hennelly

A late rally by Ballinrobe Town proved in vain at Pat Quigley Park today as the locals collected the three points with a 3-1 win in what was a feisty encounter.

Ballyheane, boosted by the return of Ben Edeh, snatched the lead after just five minutes, when Dara Ludden curled home a sumptuous finish beyond the reach of Sean Shaughnessy.

The red and white almost levelled matters on 34 minutes, when a raking free-kick from the aforementioned Shaughnessy found Gillan Jennings, whose header flew narrowly over the crossbar, much to the relief of the home bench.

Three minutes later, Ballyheane doubled their lead. An intricate team move culminated in Sean Rabbette teeing-up Edeh and the latter evaded the Ballinrobe offside trap and guided home a tidy finish.

A positive start to the new half was imperative for Ballinrobe, however, the visitors game plan received a set-back on 47 minutes when Gillan Jennings picked up a second yellow card and was dismissed by referee Damien McGrath.

From the subsequent free-kick Dylan Stevenson teed-up Sean Rabbette and the latter rustled the back of the net, much to the delight of the home supporters.

A doughty Ballinrobe regrouped and the ten men managed to pull a goal back on 71 minutes, when Danny O’Toole’s surging run on the left-wing saw the midfielder skip inside the area and finish with aplomb.

Ballinrobe were rejuvenated and the chaser’s comeback hopes were enhanced when Ballyheane were also reduced to 10 men on 85 minutes, after Jude Lavin received a straight red card.

A grandstand finish could have been in store had Ballinrobe’s Oisin Hanlon found the target, but he dragged a close-range effort wide, after Luca Meldrum had parried O’Toole’s swerving free-kick.