Manulla record crucial victory in Mayo Super League

Ballinrobe Town 0

Manulla FC 1

Manulla’s magical start to the first half proved vital in the end as the blue and white recorded a 1-0 victory in the Super League at The Green on Sunday morning, despite a late rally by Ballinrobe Town.

Roger Clarke’s Manulla made the dream start to proceedings after just four minutes of action. The visitors were awarded a free-kick from just outside the 18-yard box, with Bryan Ralph’s superbly struck effort nestling in the bottom corner of Sean Shaughnessy’s net.

Ballinrobe created a half chance on 12 minutes, but Conor Keleghan couldn’t direct his effort on target.

The Ballinrobe Town manager, Chris McGauley, received a straight red card from referee Damien McGrath on 14 minutes.

The Robesiders began to up the tempo as the half progressed and they very nearly forged the equaliser 30 minutes. Liam Kilcullen’s free-kick was parried by Matthew Flanagan, with the poaching Gillan Jennings diverting the rebound wide.

Indeed, the returning Flanagan produced an impressive display between the sticks for Manulla as the custodian played his first game for the Junior A team since June of last year.

Following the half time musings, the second half was keenly contested but clear-cut chances were few and far between. The Carramore outfit could and perhaps should have added a second on 72 minutes. Ethan Hosty pinched possession and darted towards goal, but he curled his strike the wrong side of Shaughnessy’s post.

Ballinrobe rallied towards the end of the game and the Robesiders were left ruing their luck on 79 minutes, when Oisin Connolly’s goal-bound header was brilliantly saved by Flanagan.

The red and white continued to pepper the Manulla goal, but the visitors held on for a crucial victory.

Both seventh placed Ballinrobe Town and eighth placed Manulla are now on 15 points each and it appears that both sides are safe from relegation.