Flying start ensures Ballyheane of place in last four of Mayo Super Cup

By Patrick Hennelly

Three goals during the opening 16 minutes of the second period for Ballyheane effectively ended this tie against Ballyhaunis as a contest at Pat Quigley Park, the home side winning 4-0.

The west Mayo side have produced some impressive performances lately and the hosts continued their rich vein of form by conjuring up the lead goal just three minutes into the first half.

Some efficient build-up play saw Dylan Stevenson collect possession and his terrific long-range strike from outside the box had too much purchase for the beaten Ljubo Spajic.

Despite being on the back-foot for long spells of the first half, Ballyhaunis were given a gilt-edged opportunity to restore parity when they were awarded a spot-kick on 19 minutes, after Ballyheane’s Nathan Ryan fouled Issac Owusu just inside the 18 yard box.

However, Adnan Hamze saw his well struck effort saved by Luca Meldrum as the custodian diverted the leather onto his post and the danger was cleared.

Ballyheane began the second half brightly and the hosts doubled their lead on 55 minutes, courtesy of Alan Hegarty, with the raiding Adam Blake providing the assist.

Ballyheane were then awarded a penalty on 58 minutes, after Ballyhaunis’ Mohamed Abdouni inadvertently handled the ball inside the area. But once again a spot-kick opportunity was missed as Ben Edeh’s effort was thwarted by Spajic.

Ballyhaunis though, couldn’t fully clear the danger and two minutes later a corner-kick from Stevenson fell to Edeh and this time the striker rustled the back of the net.

Ballyheane then added a fourth on 61 minutes, with Edeh turning from goal scorer to provider as he helped set-up the energetic Dan Purcell and the latter applied a tidy close-range finish.

Overall, Ballyheane were the better team and the west Mayo side are now a step closer to a cup final at Milebush Park.