Enthralling finale to division one league season

Ballina Town were crowned Division One Masters League champions following a thrilling 7-6 victory against Partry Athletic, at Umbro Park Milebush.

Partry were under pressure during the opening moments of the first half, with Ballina’s Brendan Lavelle most unlucky to see his strike hit the crossbar.

Gradually, Partry settled into the game and the south Mayo men took the lead on 12 minutes when Ciaran Hennelly rustled the back of the net, following a well-worked team move.

Partry were motoring along nicely and they added further goals during the first half courtesy of Kevin Dolan, and a brace from the energetic John Byrne.

Just before the break, Ballina pulled a goal back through Tomas Doherty, however, the Moysiders trailed 4-1 during the half time pep-talks.

One minute into the new half, Lavelle netted for Ballina, but Tom Byrne regained Partry’s three goal cushion on 35 minutes.

An epic second half was beginning to unfold, with Ballina’s Eoin McCormack and Partry’s John Byrne (his hat-trick) exchanging quick-fire goals.

Ballina refused to throw in the towel though, and Lavelle reduced the deficit to two goals on 42 minutes, before notching his hat-trick on 43 minutes to set-up a grandstand finish.

Partry tried to quell the Ballina tide, however, the north Mayo men were awarded a penalty on 47 minutes and Lavelle was coolness personified from the spot-kick to restore parity.

A draw would have seen a league play off between Partry and Ballina to decide the destination of the title, however, Ballina’s Daniel Langdon netted a late winner for the blue and white.