Ballyhaunis 1-13 Mayo Gaels 1-6
Our junior team lost out to Ballyhaunis in the league away on Saturday. The sides were level at half time but Ballyhaunis dominated the second half to run out seven point winners on a final score line of 1-13 to 1-6.
Ballyhaunis got a dream start when their first attack a long centre resulted in a goalmouth scramble and some how the ball ended up in the net. They added a point from a free to leave them four clear. A good run and shot by Paul McGing was unlucky when the ball cannoned off the crossbar to safety. John Byrne opened the scoring for the Gaels with a free after eleven minutes after good work by Michael O’Gara. Ballyhaunis replied with a point from play to restore their four point lead. The Gaels then took over and between the fifteenth and twenty third minutes hit five points from play with scores from Noel Burke, Mark Adams, John Byrne and two points for Damien Quinn to leave them a point to the good. Ballyhaunis responded with the final score of the half with a point from play to leave the half time score 1-3 to 0-6.
Ballyhaunis dominated the opening fifteen minutes of the half. The kicked seven points without reply including four very soft frees. The Gaels responded with a fine goal by Paul McGing from twenty yards after a good run. This was the final Gaels score of the game as Ballyhaunis closed out the game with three further points to leave the final score 1-13 to 1-6. It was a battling performance and the Gaels were best served by Dermot Browne, Brian Moran, Michael O’Gara, John Sloyan, Noel Burke and Damien Quinn.
Mayo Gaels team: Kevin Brett, Aidan Jennings, Paul Walsh, Eddie Hurst, Michael Hurst, Dermot Browne, Brian Moran, Michael O’Gara, John Sloyan, Mark Adams (0-1), Damien Quinn (0-2), Paul McGing (1-0), Noel Burke (0-1), John Byrne (0-2, 1f), James McGing. Subs. Noel Morris for Damien Quinn, Damien Quinn for John Byrne, John Byrne for James McGing.