1996/99
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MAYO REPRESENTATIVES BREAK NEW CUP GROUND . . .
Soccer
4 February 1998
GUINNESS FAI JUNIOR CUP (Fifth Round)
Nine-man Ballyglass hold firm
Rosenallis (Co. Laois)....................... 0 Ballyglass .................................. 1
By Tom Kelly at Rosenallis
You can never tell what's going to happen next with Ballyglass!
They survived a remarkable test of courage and concentration at Rosenallis on Sunday to advance to the sixth round of the Guinness F.A.I. Junior Cup for the first time . But the South Mayo side threatened to commit football suicide before rescuing themselves from the brink of disaster in a dramatic and tension-filled climax against the Laois side.
The writing appeared to be on the wall after being reduced to nine men by the controversial sendings-off of substitute Shane Hyland and midfielder Paul Connolly. But one glorious piece of individual ingenuity earlier in the game was to prove decisive in ensuring the club of a prestigious place in the last 32 of the biggest cup competition in Europe.
Ray Prendergast, the side's most experienced personality, struck the critical tenth minute blow which ended the hopes of Leinster Football League side, Rosenallis.
A natural left-footed player, Prendergast utilised his right boot to telling effect when he powered an 18-yards drive with precision and potency into a top corner of the net.
The ball had rebounded back into play after hitting a stanchion holding up the net, but the referee pointed to the centre circle after briefly consulting his linesman.
The opening had been created by Justin Keady's free-kick on the right which was headed away from his goal by defender Kenneth Farrell.
But the clearance fell to Prendergast who caught it brilliantly on the half-volley to leave Rosneallis goalkeeper, Damian Shelly, with no chance.
The score, which was to be the game's match-winner, followed a bright start in which the Mayo side played with composure and authority.
Sadly, it disintegrated into a hard, physical battle in which the quality of football was of a substandard nature.
Not that Ballyglass manager Jarlath Moran was too worried about that. He had stated all along the result was more important than the performance.
He will have been concerned, however, that two of his players were red-carded.
Shane Hyland and Paul Connolly both received their marching orders as the game became a somewhat heated in the second half.
It put the South Mayo side under considerable pressure to hold onto a slender lead with just nine men.
In spite of their numerical disadvantage, however, Ballyglass held firm.
The rearguard, backboned by the cool-headed Colm Burke and the spirited Justin Keady, was outstanding, refused to yield an inch.
The defending may not have been all that pretty at times, but it was highly effective. In this regard, Staunton played out of his proverbial skin in the left-full position. This was his type of match and he displayed the right type of tenacity and commitment.
Mark Diskin also did extremely well on the other flank, with Declan Prendergast keeping everybody on their toes from his place between the posts.
If they can keep defending with the same kind of resolve and passion, they is no reason why they cannot advance to the quarter-finals of the competition when they face North End of Wexford in the next round at Ballyglass on Sunday week.
Ballyglass, after taking an early lead, proceeded to produce the more purposeful football in the opening half.
They should have increased the margin on the half an hour after their best attacking move of the match, but Stephen Ring's finish was expertly blocked by Rosenallis goalkeeper, Damian Skelly.
There was a controversial moment just before half-time when the homeside had a strong appeal for a penalty kick turned down.
Ballyglass defender Kenny Staunton appeared to handle the ball on the goal-line following a point_blank headed effort by Joe Conroy.
But the referee P.J. Higgins waved on play as the Ballyglass defence heaved a huge sigh of relief.
Ballyglass subsitutute Shane Hyland, who replaced Kevin Connolly in attack, had barely broken into a sweat when he was red-carded for retaliation twenty minutes into the second half.
It seemed a harsh decision in the instance as Hyland's swinging arm had not made contact with defender Robbie Malone. But the referee, who had not booked Hyland earlier, was satisfied there was clear intent.
The fact the incident occurred right in front of a group of vociferous Rosenallis supporters did not help Hyland's cause. Having said that, he was unwise to have lashed out at the Rosenallis player who was booked after subjecting Hyland to a heavy tackle.
The sending-off had the effect of galvanising the home side and the pressure grew on the Ballyglass as Rosenallis went searching for an equaliser.
They pressed more and more men into attack and created two brilliant opportunities of squaring the issue, both of which were astonishingly missed.
Noel Conroy sent the ball wide from ten yeards after having Ballyglass goalkepeer, Declan Prendergast, at his mercy in the 75th minute.
Then, two minutes later, Joe Dunne suffered the same indignity from almost the exact same spot.
Ballyglass experienced a big setback with five minutes remaining when Paul Connolly, their combative midfield figure, was red-carded following a late tackle. He had been booked earlier for a similar offence.
It seemed only a matter of time before they would crack, but Rosenallis lacked the killer instinct to break them down.
As it transpired, Ballyglass had best chance of scoring a second goal before the end. It fell to Ray Prendergast who went remarkable close to achieving the usual distinction of scoring twice in the same match with his right foot.
Rosenallis goalkeeper, Damian Shelly, denied him with a superb save. But it was encouraging to see the Ballyglass midfield ace in such invigorating form after a relatively quiet season by his standards.
Stephen Ring, magnificent at holding up the ball and finding space, the indefatigable Joe Reapy, and Paul Connolly also did very well at midfield in what represented one of the hardest and most exhausting games of their careers.
Up front, Kevin Connolly had a good first half, but Martin Vahey looked distinctly out of touch after returning from a knee injury which sidelined him for 11 weeks.
In fairness to Vahey, the side's most talented player, he was starved of a good supply. He did admit afterwards, however, that he was only 50 per cent fit.
Apart from the two sendings-off, three other Ballyglass players were booked, namely Kenny Staunton, Joe Reapy and James Fallon.
Three Rosenallis players were cautioned. They were Noel Conroy, Joe Conroy and Paul Friel.
Rosenallis: D. Shelly, R. Malone, P. Friel, K. Farrell, W. McEvoy, J. Dunne, Joe Conroy, James Conroy, S. Hyland, B. Linden, N. Conroy. Res: I. Peake (for Hyland).
Ballyglass: D. Prendergast, M. Diskin, K. Staunton, C. Burke, J. Keady, J. Reapy, R. Prendergast, P. Connolly, M. Vahey, K. Connolly, S. Ring. Res: S. Hyland (for K. Connolly); J. Fallon (for Reapy); J. Regan (for Ring).
Ref: P.J. Higgins (Midland Branch).
* Star Rating: Kenny Staunton. . .epitomised a battling Ballyglass performance.
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - February 1998
