Exciting finale to Mayo Under 21 B Football Championship decider

St. Jarlath’s recorded a 1-15 to 1-14 victory against Ballinrobe to claim the Mayo Under 21 B Football Championship title at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellent in Bekan in what was a close contest throughout, writes Patrick Hennelly.

This was a game that could have gone either way and extra-time seemed a real possibility. However, St. Jarlath’s super sub Jack Tuffy guided over what proved to be the winning point three minutes into second-half stoppage time.

The east Mayo side dominated the early exchanges of this contest, with Shane Walsh guiding over the opening point before team-mate Dara Flanagan rustled the back of the net. A well taken point by Senan Guilfoyle shunted St. Jarlath's into a 1-2 to no score lead after five minutes.

Ballinrobe needed a tonic and it duly arrived on 11 minutes when Aaron Crowley somehow managed to find the back of the net from an acute angle.

Now up and running, Ballinrobe levelled matters at 1-3 apiece on 15 minutes thanks to a well-taken free by Conor Jennings.

Caoimhín Donnelly very nearly fashioned a second goal for the Robesiders on 29 minutes but his effort crept agonisingly over the crossbar.

Just before the break, Guilfoyle added a point for St. Jarlath’s and the east Mayo side were 1-5 to 1-4 ahead during the half-time break.

Ballinrobe made a whirlwind start to the new half, with Cian May landing an awesome two-pointer and then a 45' to shunt his team into the lead.

While the second half was a real ding-dong battle, three points on the spin from Ballinrobe’s Jennings, Crowley and Caelan Tansey (free) gave them a 1-14 to 1-11 lead after 53 minutes.

St. Jarlath’s showed great character during the closing stages of the game, however, with Aidan Sloyan’s point levelling matters two minutes into stoppage time before Jack Tuffy secured a dramatic victory for the amalgamated Ballyhaunis/Eastern Gaels outfit.