Ballina started the wiser with a point from play after a Gaels’ pass was intercepted. The Gaels worked hard for their first point of the day, good work between Johnny Griffin and Kevin Lynch resulted in a foul on Lynch, Mally Byrne stepped up to the mark coolly slotted the ball over the bar. A strong breeze saw the Gaels kick out drop short and Ballina wasted no time in taking advantage and slotted the ball between the uprights. The Gaels were controversially denied a penalty some time later after Sean Boyle was blatantly taken down in the square. At the other end, Ballina found themselves on the receiving end of a penalty which hit the crossbar and bounced over the bar to put them two points clear. Ballina then powered on hitting three points in quick succession. At this stage the Gaels were finding it tough and the hard work of Mally Byrne eventually won him a free which Danny Burke converted. Young Kevin Lynch got his name on the score sheet with a point from play followed by two Ballina points from play to leave a half time score line of Ballina 0-9 Mayo Gaels 0-3.
The second half saw the Gaels come into form. The opening few seconds saw Sean Boyle dominate at midfield and shoot the ball over the bar. Ballina responded with a point from play but that’s where they finished. The Gaels took advantage of the gael force breeze and the first of their come back came when Kevin Lynch gained possession at centre field, he found James Fallon who used his experience to effortlessly lay it off to the waiting Johnny Griffin to slot the ball over the bar. Danny Burke kept on form and after winning the kick out he steadied himself and fired a point from play. Johnny Griffin added to his tally with a point from play and after Shane Vahey gained possession his off lay to Johnny Griffin saw Griffin fouled, Danny Burke stepped up to the mark and calmly converted the resulting point. The Gaels powered on, Johnny Griffin notched up two more points from play and Danny Burke added one more to his tally to find the Gaels one in front. Neil McGurrin opened his account with a point from play, and Kevin Lynch finished proceedings with two well deserved points from play to leave a full time score line of Ballina B 0-10 Mayo Gaels 0-14.
The Gaels put in a great comeback this evening were best served by the experience of Adrian Heneghan and James Fallon, with Johnny Griffin and Kevin Lynch showed class in the forward line.
Mayo Gaels Team: Paul Mannion, Allyn Brett, Anthony Byrne, Noel Morris, Martin Connor, Adrian Heneghan, John Sloyan, James Fallon, Sean Boyle (0-1), Kevin Lynch (0-3), Shane Vahey, Neil McGurrin(0-1) , Mally Byrne (0-1, 1f), Johnny Griffin (0-4), Danny Burke (0-4, 2f). Subs: Aiden Jennings for Noel Morris
