It's a 'Harte' break for Ballyglass!
April 17 1996
Connaught CUP FINAL REPLAY
SUPER SHOW BY CALRY GOALKEEPER PROVED DECISIVE. . .
Ballyglass ............................. 0 Calry Bohs ............................. 1MILEBUSH REPORT :: BY TOM KELLY
A golden opportunity has sadly been lost for brave Ballyglass.
The scene had been gloriously set on Sunday for the greatest triumph in the 21-years history of a rural club which emerged from humble beginnings to contest the game's biggest prize in the region. But the Connaught Junior Cup final replay at Milebush turned into a heart-breaking experience for the spirited South Mayo side.
They were made to pay a heavy price for missed opportunities when Calry snatched a dramatic winning goal two minutes from the end of a full-blooded affair. By the law of averages, a breakthrough was always likely to materialise after almost two hundred minutes of scoreless football. Even so, the goal was far from the conventional variety.
Kieran Rooney, Calry's front-runner operating wide on the right, took advantage of a rear moment of indecision in the Ballyglass defence. His lopped effort across the face of the Ballyglass goal receive a wicked deflection before spinning off the far post and into the net.
Rarely had a goal been greeted with such deafening silence at Mayo football's premier ground. The Ballyglass defenders could only look around at each other in dismy over what had gone wrong.
They had given so much in terms of sweat and blood over two games to keeping Calry's vaunted attack at bay that the nature of Rooney's winner left them bitterly and extremely disappointed.
Ironically, the game's decisive moment following Ballyglass's most effective and convincing period. After once again soaking up the best Calry could inflict upon them, they could have scored twice in a three minute spell during the closing quarter.
John Noonan, the one player on the pitch who looked more likely to score than any other, went agonisingly close to giving Ballyglass the lead in the 76th minute. His sparkling turn of pace gave him the edge on central defender Roger Connolly and, with goalkeeper Vinny Harte coming screaming off his line, Noonan's clever effort appeared to be destined for the net. But Harte, to his credit, had managed to get a hand to the ball and it proved sufficient in denying Noonan his place in the record boots.
GREATER POSSESSION
Within three minutes, however, Kevin Connolly had an ever better opportunity after cutting in from the left side. But his right-footed drive was blocked by the indefatigable Harte who was producing a match-winning performance of his own.The clash was not unlike the drawn affair seven days earlier. Calry Bohs had the greater possession. Ballyglass had the more clear-cut opportunities. In the end, technique and dexterity triumphed over power and passion. Only just, however.
Calry are worthy and deserving champions. Nobody can deny them of that. But they won't forget Ballyglass for a long time to come.
Ballyglass made three changes from the side which started the drawn tie. Justin Keady replaced the injured Michael Kelly in the right-full position and Brian Donnelly was selected on the right side of midfield in place of John Noonan who was switched into attack at the expense of Joe Glynn.
Calry made one alteration. Eugene McDarby replaced Stephen Devaney at midfield.
Ballyglass almost got off to a sensational start when Noonan was clean through after four minutes with the Calry goalkeeper at his mercy, but the ball skidded off the top of his right boot and over the bar.
The Sligo side responded with some passages of neat football, and Ray Rooney tested Ballyglass goalkeeper Declan Prendergast with a solidly struck effort.
STOPPING SHOTS
Kevin Connolly had a clear opportunity of putting Ballyglass in front before half-time. But his close range attempt went over the crossbar.Ballyglass goalkeeper had a busy start to the second half, stopping shots by Kieran and Ray Rooney. Calry substitute Damian Flynn also threatened to make a impact, but Prendergast denied him with a save at full stretch.
Martin Vahey and Colm Burke were magnificent in the centre of the Ballyglass defence, with Kenny Staunton stepping up his performance a significant degree from that of the drawn game.
Justin Keady also did well in his unaccustomed right-full role until he was forced to cry off with an injury with ten minutes remaining.
It spoke volumes for their overall performance that the Calry attack did not create anything as clear-cut as Ballyglass did at the other end.
John Noonan and Kevin Connolly were somewhat unfortunate not to take the opportunities which came their way, particularly in the closing stages.
They were misses which grew in significance when Kieran Rooney produced his bizarre match-winner at the death.
Football can be such a cruel game, as Ballyglass have learned to their anguish.
Ballyglass: D. Prendergast, K. Staunton, J. Keady, M. Vahey, C. Burke, B. Donnelly, J. Reapy, P. Connolly, M. Diskin, K. Connolly, J. Noonan.
Res: J. Glynn (for Donnelly); J. Prenty (for Keady inj.).
Calry Bohs: V. Harte, V. McGee, P. Forker, R. Connolly, L. Nicholson, J. Campbell, P. Dolan, E. McDarby, M. Rooney, R. Rooney, K. Rooney.
Res: D. Flynn (for M. Rooney); S. Crossan (for McDarby).
Ref: D. Daly (Galway).
* Star Rating: Vinny Harte. . .the man who broke Ballyglass hearts.
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - April 1996
