Mayo IFC: Ballinrobe book place in final at favourites' expense

Ballinrobe booked their place in the Mayo GAA Egan Jewellers Intermediate Football Championship final after overcoming favourites Moy Davitts in a keenly contested encounter in Garrymore, with goalkeeper Luke Jennings proving decisive at both ends of the field in a 0-14 to 0-8 victory, writes Eoin Horkan.

It was the south Mayo side who made the brighter start, with Kevin Quinn, Cian O’Connell and Cian May all finding their range to put Ballonrobe three points clear inside the opening exchanges.

Moy Davitts responded through Cian McHale, who reduced the deficit with an excellent two-pointer. However, Ewan Duffy restored the advantage for the side in the lead by the quarter-hour mark.

The score of the game followed when Evan O’Brien struck for Ballinrobe before O’Connell added two more. Moy Davitts' Anthony Jordan then got his name on the scoresheet as the east Mayo men remained in touch, leaving five points between the sides.

Moy Davitts were handed a golden opportunity to narrow the gap when they were awarded a penalty late in the half. Brian Heneghan stepped forward to take responsibility but Luke Jennings stood tall, producing an excellent save to keep Ballinrobe within touching distance at the interval.

The Ballinrobe goalkeeper was again central to proceedings after the restart, landing two superb long-range frees to stretch the lead.

Ronan Clarke responded for Moy Davitts, while McHale added three more points – two from play and one from a free – to reduce the deficit to four with 13 minutes remaining.

Just as Moy Davitts appeared to be gaining momentum, their task became considerably harder when McHale was shown a black card, followed shortly afterwards by a red card for Darragh Ruane, leaving them with 13 players.

Ballinrobe took advantage in the closing stages, with O’Connell converting a late free before Diarmuid Duffy added a point from play to seal their passage to the final.

In the closing stages, Conor Reid was shown his marching orders on two yellow cards.

*See Tuesday's print edition of The Connaught Telegraph for a full report