Enniscrone edge out Ballymote in extra-time
ENNISCRONE/KILGLASS BALLYMOTE 1-17 1-16
Enniscrone/Kilglass qualified for the semi-finals of the Kennedys Intermediate Championship after a truly remarkable quarter-final replay with Ballymote at Kilcoyne Park, Tubbercurry, last Sunday afternoon.
The sides, who ended level in the first game at Cloonacool, couldn’t be separated after the regulation 60 minutes here with the teams finishing level at 1-12 to 0-15, and in extra-time Enniscrone/ Kilglass just shaded it to progress to their first semi-final since 2005.
In truth, it was difficult to have a loser after an absorbing contest that ebbed and flowed over the 80 minutes. On a number of occasions, both sides looked set to kick for home but strong resilience from both sets of players meant this one went right to the wire.
This was a more free-flowing encounter than the drawn game. A strong wind blew to the road end goal, though both teams played better into the elements. Enniscrone/Kilglass, into the breeze in the opening half, established a 0-8 to 0-4 interval lead after an impressive start.
The game’s scoring was dominated by two scorers in chief – Brian Coleman bagged 1-9 for Enniscrone/Kilglass while Stephen Ross, highly impressive throughout, scored 0-9 for Ballymote. Both players hit the target in the first half, while Michael Moyles, scorer of 0-6 in all, was also effective in Enniscrone/Kilglass’ forward division.
Good defending from the eventual winners helped the west Sligo club keep Ballymote at bay for long periods in the first half and given their four-point interval ascendency they looked to be firmly in control. Ballymote had other ideas, however. A superb start to the second half included Mark Irwin’s excellent goal, after Niall Brennan provided the assist. This brought Ballymote back onto level terms, 1-5 to 0-8, and a rattled Enniscrone/ Kilglass struggled to get a foothold for long periods in the half.
Indeed, as the game entered the closing ten minutes, Balllymote led 1-11 to 0-11 with Ross, and substitute Jack Hever contributing good scores to put their side in the driving seat as the conclusion beckoned. Enniscrone/Kilglass needed scores, and found them, with Moyles, Coleman and Mark Gordon on target to leave their side trailing by a point, 1-12 to 0-14, heading into the final two minutes. As in the drawn game, a free from Michael Moyles got Enniscrone/Kilglass back on level terms and they had a chance to win it with the final play but eventually matters ended even, 1-12 to 0-15. Indeed, the equalizer came on the back of a goalline clearance from Josh Ellis at the other end which, if it had found the net, would certainly have put Ballymote through.
The key score of extra time was con- structed by Enniscrone/Kilglass substitute Aaron Duffy. A positive start from Enniscrone/Kilglass into the wind in the first period of ten minutes put Ballymote on the backfoot, and Duffy sprung to win a clever turnover off the Ballymote full-back line; he remained composed to slip Brian Coleman in for the easiest of finishes for a crucial goal. Ballymote struggled in this period, and another Coleman free just before the break helped Enniscrone/ Kilglass into a 1-16 to 1-13 lead.
Once again, Ballymote showed their resilience in a tense second period of extra time, and points from Ross and Irwin got Ballymote back to within a point. Brian Coleman responded with a free to extend Enniscrone/Kilglass’ lead to two and though Stephen Ross added another pointed free late on, Enniscrone/ Kilglass just about held on to progress to a semi-final meeting with Shamrock Gaels next Sunday.
Enniscrone/Kilglass: G Regan; E Bourke, B Byron, J Ellis; K Cawley, JP Carden, E Hallinan; D Mullaney, C O’Dowd; B Coleman (1-9, 5fs), M Moyles (0-6, 3fs), C Mullaney; S Hargadon, M Gordon (0-2), C Mulrooney. Subs used: A Duffy, R Jacob
Ballymote: M Flannery; P Mullan, S Stagg, C McCann; M Healy (0-1), S Langton, O Conlon (0-1); M Rafferty, M Doddy (0-1); S Ross (0-9, 6fs), M Irwin (1-1), R Flannery; N Brennan (0-1), D Martin, G Brennan. Subs used: J Hever (0-2), G Rafferty
Referee: John Doyle