Mayo club suffer heartbreaking defeat in thrilling FAI Junior Cup tie

Ballyheane suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat at home to Cork’s Coachford AFC in Round 6 of the FAI Junior Cup.

The hosts made a fantastic start to this last 16 showdown and took the lead after just two minutes courtesy of Ben Edeh, when his rocket of a close-range finish flew past Stephen Murray in the Coachford goal.

Things got even better for Ballyheane on 14 minutes, when Dylan Stevenson applied a close-range finish to the back of the net, with Edeh providing the assist after his initial effort was blocked by Murray.

Everything seemed to be going to plan for Ashley Stevenson’s troops, however, Coachford managed to peg a goal back on 21 minutes thanks to a fine finish from Mark Murphy.

Ballyheane led 2-1 at the interval, but their game plan received a major set-back on 49 minutes when their busy right-back Adam Blake picked up a second yellow card and was dismissed by the referee.

Gradually Coachford upped the tempo and the Cork side restored parity on 60 minutes. A marvellous cross-field delivery from Cialan O’Sullivan found Luke Casey and the latter rustled the back of the net.

One minute later, Coachford nudged in front courtesy of a close-range header from Jamie Griffin, much to the delight of the vocal away supporters at a well-attended Pat Quigley Park.

However, a gallant Ballyheane refused to give up the chase and two minutes into second half injury-time the west Mayo side snatched a deserved equaliser through substitute Gareth Dunne.

Ballyheane deserved extra-time, nevertheless, straight from the subsequent kick-off Coachford substitute Cathal O’Neill, who was barely a minute on the pitch, scored what proved to be the winning goal, much to the delight of his team-mates.

The hosts tried to launch another brave comeback, but Coachford held on to claim the spoils.