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WELCOME INN HOTEL MAYO LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION Astonishing Ballyglass run retains title Ballyglass . . . 3 Claremorris . . . 1 By Tom Kelly . . at Ballyglass Ballyglass are staying put on the glorious high throne of Mayo football. They completed an astonishing run at home on Sunday to clinch the Welcome Inn Hotel Mayo League Premier Division title with a tension-filled victory over Claremorris. The win ensured them of the prestigious crown for the second consecutive season with a single point to spare over long-time leaders Achill Rovers. The South Mayo club, which had been eleven points behind the islanders at one stage of the campaign, delivered on their pedigree by winning seven of their concluding nine matches and drawing the other two. It represented a magnificent feat in terms of Mayo League football and further underlined the club's stature as the outstanding force in the game in the county. Ballyglass, defending an unbeaten league record at home stretching back over two years, were always favourites to secure the win they needed against a Claremorris side which had struggled to avoid relegation. But they were caught somewhat by surprise in the opening half by the dogged determination of Claremorris to spoil the party. Claremorris rarely played better all season in their zealous efforts to deny Ballyglass their third championship title. Despite enjoying the lion's share of possession during the period, however, they failed to create a telling opportunity with the wind at the backs. By the same token, Ballyglass probably never played as poorly all season. Their only salvation was the pace and wizardry of attacker Martin Vahey, the game's most influential personality. UNLOCKING DEFENCE He seemed capable of unlocking the Claremorris defence every time he got the ball, and the inevitable happened just before half-time. Vahey, clinical in possession, cut inside from a wide position before delivering an intelligent ball across the face of the Claremorris goal. Stephen Ring pounced brilliantly at the near post to direct the ball past goalkeeper Peter Browne for his first goal since joining Ballyglass from Claremorris at the beginning of the season. It was a stunning blow for a Claremorris side which had been doing all the pressing, albeit without creating a clear-cut opportunity. But it was the breakthrough Ballyglass required to settle them down, particularly at midfield where an element of frustration was becoming increasingly evident in their play. Ballyglass put the finishing touches to their league championship triumph with two goals in rapid succession a quarter of an hour into the second half. A corner kick by the impressive Mark Diskin found the head of Paul Connolly whose point_blank attempt was parried by goalkeeper Browne. But the Ballyglass midfielder reacted swiftly to drive the rebound with his right foot into the net. CALAMITOUS BACKPASS The goal followed a spell of pressure climaxed by a ferocious 25-yards effort by Joe Reapy which was blocked by a defender and turned wide for the corner-kick which led to the score. Martin Vahey struck the side's third goal when he intercepted a calamitous backpass by full-back Michael Heaney, and goalkeeper Browne was left with no chance. The celebrations could begin. Claremorris pulled a goal back with twenty minutes remaining when Jerome Dee, the side's top scorer, lobbed the ball over the head of Declan Prendergast to deny the Ballyglass goalkeeper his sixth clean sheet of the 18-match campaign. There was a dramatic end to the clash with three players were sent off in the space of two minutes. Claremorris midfielder Maurice Walsh was shown the red card for ungentlemanly conduct following an incident involving Ballyglass defender, Michael Kelly. Then Claremorris striker Jeremy Dee and Ballyglass substitute Kevin Connelly got their marching orders for fighting. It was not a dirty game by any stretch of the imagination, but it was highly competitive and some of the tackling was a little too zealous on both sides. It was good, however, for the image of Mayo League football that Claremorris made such a tough game of it, underlining once more that favours are certainly not given at this level of football. FRESH IMPETUS Some will remember the 1997 campaign as the one Achill Rovers lost rather than the one Ballyglass won. But the statistics will show that Ballyglass took 23 points out of a possible 27 (seven wins and two draws) in their concluding nine games. And if that is not championship-winning form, I don't know what is. Ironically, three players who helped turn Ballyglass's season around were not even in the squad on Sunday. James Regan, James Fallon and Shane Hyland gave the side fresh impetus and direction when they played a number of matches in September before being ruled out by the B team ruling. The trio contributed to vital wins over Achill Rovers and Urlaur United, in particular, when the team was hit by the loss of players through injury and suspension. Michael Kelly, the team captain, paid a glowing tribute to everybody at the club involved in the success, most notably manager Jarlath Moran. Kelly is unlikely to be involved in next season's challenge for a three-in-a-row. He is due to travel to Australia later this month where he will work for a year. He will bring with his the best wishes of everybody involved with the game. Although the Ballyglass triumph was essentially a team effort, as Kelly said, I think four players should be singled out for special credit. Goalkeeper Declan Prendergast was the backbone of the side; Colm Burke provided the defensive stability; the craft and class came courtesy of Martin Vahey; and Kevin Connolly's goals, 17 in all, were crucial. Ballyglass: D. Prendergast, M. Diskin, M. Kelly, J. Keady, C. Burke, P. Connolly, R. Prendergast, J. Reapy, M. Vahey, K. Connolly, S. Ring. Res: J. Farragher (for R. Prendergast); K. Connelly (for K. Connolly); K. Staunton (for Kelly). Claremorris: P. Browne, J. Kearney, M. Heaney, M. Shaughnessy, M. Mullee, J. Dee, Mark Walsh, D. McDonagh, G. Mulkerrins, G. Slattery, Maurice Walsh. Res: D. Bruxton and J. Bruxton (for D. McDonagh and Slattery). Ref: M. Roughneen (Manulla). * Star Rating: Martin Vahey . . . pace and panache.
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