Mayo GAA Under 16 A Football Championship captured by Balla

Balla have captured the Homeland Mayo GAA Under 16 A Championship title with a 2-16 to 3-8 victory over Castlebar Mitchels, writes Nathan Keane.

The decider – played on Saturday evening in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar – was a repeat of the Under 14 A final of two years ago, which Balla won.

It was the same again in the Under 16 A final in what was a competitive game throughout, Balla pulling away in the final five minutes.

The first half was a cagey, tit-for-tat affair, but Castlebar Mitchels were slightly more clinical in front of goal, netting goals from James Dever and Cillian Keating in the first half hour.

That helped them enjoy a two-point lead at the break (2-5 to 0-9), Balla staying in touch largely thanks James Heaney's accuracy from placed balls.

Balla noticeably went up a gear in the second half and found the back of the net in the early stages after a point attempt from Tony Cunningham hit the post and Heaney was the first to react, collecting the rebound and slotting the ball in.

Mitchels responded with a goal of their own almost straightaway, Cillian Keating with his second of the encounter after a nice pass from Jonas Okunzi.

While Mitchels followed up with points from James Dever, David Derengowski and Patrick Kennedy, Balla soon seized control.

Points from Dylan Broderick, Daniel Lyons, Ethan Duffy and substitute Gearoid Dempsey as well as two for James Heaney put Balla a single point up going into additional time.

Ultimately, Balla put the final nail in the coffin in added time. They launched a blistering counter-attack in the final stages, led by Michael Mullaney, who laid the ball off to Dylan Broderick. He sealed the game for Balla by finding the back of the net.

Castlebar Mitchels: O. Radzio; S. Brobbey, R. Kearney, R. Fitzmaurice; S. Rodgers, M. Duffy (0-1), P. Connolly; K. McHale, P. Kennedy (0-2); J. Connor, J. Okunzi, M. Daly; C. Keating (2-0), J. Dever (1-2), R. Mulroy (0-2).

Subs used: D. Derengowski (0-1), C. Fitzmaurice.

Balla: L. Serantes; L. Jennings, B. Mannion, T. Cunningham; C. Clarke (0-1), M. Vahey, D. Lyons (0-1); M. Mullaney, E. Duffy (0-3); E. Walsh (0-1), J. Heaney (1-6), D. Higgins; D. Keane, R. Nolan (0-2), D. Broderick (1-1).

Subs used: D. Coleman, G. Dempsey (0-1).