Dunmore MacHales are through to the Connacht intermediate final following their 1-11 to 1-08 victory over Ballyhaunis in McHale Park Castlebar on Saturday afternoon.
Surprisingly, given their previous weekend's win over a strong St Molaise Gaels team, Dunmore MacHales came into the game as outsiders with the bookmakers.
Only 15 kilometres separates Ballyhaunis and Dunmore, so there was much familiarity between the two teams in a keenly-fought contest.
Gary Delaney’s team had that little extra up front, and ultimately this was the difference in the end between the two sides.
Dunmore now wait to know their opposition in the Connacht final with the second semi-final between St Dominic’s and Aughnasheelin postponed due to a waterlogged pitch - that fixture to be played this weekend with Dunmore MacHales keeping a close eye on it.
Their semi-final was played in wet and windy conditions which did not help the players on the day. Dunmore began with the elements at their back and it told at the start as Conor Mitchell opened the scoring for the Shafts. Mayo panellist Jack Coyne equalised from a placed ball before Padraig Costello and Coyne traded frees in the 11th and 13th minutes to tie the game at two points each.
Ballyhaunis took the lead for the first time in the 14th minute before Dunmore MacHales raised a green flag to reclaim their lead. Jake Slattery’s effort on goal was blocked on the line by a Ballyhaunis defender, but wing forward Thomas Gleason was quickest to the rebound to prod home.
Goalkeeper Connor Gleason made a crucial save in the 21st minute to keep his team in front. Dunmore had sloppily conceded possession in a dangerous area, presenting midfielder Morgan Lyons with a goal opportunity, but the Galway number one quickly smothered his effort.
Ballyhaunis goalkeeper Adrian Phillips levelled the game in the 24th minute with a wonderful strike from the wing off the deck, and Morgan Lyons followed up with the final score of the first half to give Ballyhaunis a one-point lead.
Dunmore were on target with the first score of the second half with a Costello free, but Ballyhaunis began to really stamp their authority on the game with a goal when Jack Cunnane finished to the net.
However, Dunmore MacHales' response was emphatic. An eight-point scoring spree without response from Ballyhaunis totally blew the Mayo champions away. Costello, Shane McGrath, Thomas Gleason, Jamie Coen and Jake Slattery were all on target for the Shafts as they steamrolled their opposition. Ballyhaunis managed to respond with two late points, but it was too little too late as Dunmore MacHales marched on to the Connacht final.
Clifden were also in action in the Connacht junior semi-final and beat Islandeady by 1-10 to 0-11 on Saturday afternoon in Kenny Park. They are now through to the Connacht final where they will face St Ronan’s of Roscommon on December 3 at Hyde Park, Roscommon.
