Mayo Gaels 0-10 Ballina B 0-7
Two purple patches either side of half time was enough to give our intermediate team a much needed league win at a sunny and breezy Abbey Park on Sunday afternoon. Playing with the aid of a strong breeze Ballina dominated the opening quarter. They kicked the first three scores of the half before Danny Burke opened the Gaels account with a well taken point after nine minutes. Ballina answered with a point from play before Danny Burke kicked a free after being fouled himself. Ballina restored their three point lead with another point from play. The Gaels finished the half strongly with the defence finally getting on top of the Ballina attack. They were rewarded with two frees from the hard working Mallie Byrne and the ever dangerous Danny Burke to leave the half time scores Mayo Gaels 0-4 Ballina B 0-5.
Playing with the elements in the second half the Gaels flew out of the traps and played their best football all season in the opening ten minutes of the second half. Danny Burke leveled the sides in the opening minute of the half with a great run and point from play. Niall Brett was rewarded for his industry when he finished a fine team move with a point from the right wing. Danny Burke showed his class with two great points from play in the space of three minutes. Sean Boyle also got in on the act when he kicked a point from play to leave the Gaels four clear, 0-9 to 0-5.
The Gaels had chances to push further clear but failed to capitalise and retreated into their shell in the final fifteen minutes when the game should have been closed out. Ballina threw everything forward in the final quarter in search of a goal and one wonders on occasions why they didn’t take their points to close the gap. They nearly got the much sought after goal in the fifty second minute when a fine run and shot clipped the crossbar. They finally decided to take their points and closed the gap to a nervous three points with five minutes remaining. Danny Burke steadied the Gaels nerves with a free in the final minute of the half. All Ballina could muster was a point from play to leave the final score Mayo Gaels 0-10 Ballina 0-7. The Gaels were best served by Paul Mannion, Noel Quinn, Adrian Heneghan, James Fallon, Mallie Byrne, Danny Burke and Niall Brett.
Mayo Gaels team: Paul Mannion, Noel Morris, Anthony Byrne, Noel Quinn, Adrian Heneghan, Jonathan Morrin, Barry Commins, Sean Boyle (0-1), Mark Nally, Mallie Byrne (0-1, 1f), James Fallon, Danny Burke (0-7, 3f), Damien Quinn, Jonathan Griffin, Niall Brett (0-1). Subs. Joe Gilroy for Damien Quinn, Kevin Brettfor Mark Nally.
