MAYO SOCCER 29 MAY 1996
WELCOME INN HOTEL
MAYO LEAGUE PREMIERSHIP
VAHEY BRINGS DOWN DEFENDING CHAMPIONS WITH LATE STRIKE
Ballyglass can start believing in themselves !
Ballyglass ............................... 1
Manulla ..................................... 0
Tom Kelly At Ballyglass
Ballyglass might just start to believe that they are capable of mounting a realistic challenge for the Welcome Inn Hotel Mayo League Premiership.
They became the first side this season to inflict a league defeat on defending champions Manulla with a winning performance on Saturday which owned more to perseverance and persistence than anything else. A brilliantly executed goal three minutes from the end by Martin Vahey, the league's top scorer, ensured them of their fourth win in five outings.
Vahey, always the most likely player to score in a game of limited opportunities, turned the ball sweetly into the Manulla net from an acute angle after rounding goalkeeper Declan Jennings. Although Vahey was entitled to take much of the credit for the decisive strike, it would be unjust to underplay the role of late substitute, Vinny Keane.
A strong and powerfully-built player, he added a fresh sense of aggression and bite to the Ballyglass attack when introduced. Keane, the Ballintubber-based star, was responsible for delivering the perfectly-timed through ball in the 87th minute which Vahey utilised with such telling effect.
Vahey's composed finish under pressure held Ballyglass to snatch the three points at the death, a result which put them one point clear of Urlaur at the top of the table.
To be honest, however, it was probably two points more than they deserved. Even Ballyglass manager Jarlath Moran admitted as much as he lite up a hamlet cigar outside the door of a buoyant winning dressing room.
"I cannot argue that a draw would have been a fairer result. But I was pleased by the way my players battled to the end. Fair dues to Martin Vahey. He put away the one real chance he got all evening. This was a big win for us."
Manulla, as champions for the past two seasons, won't begrudge Ballyglass their victory, even if it did cost them their unbeaten run.
FEEL AGGRIEVED
But they had reason to feel aggrieved by their failure to be awarded a penalty kick in the 67th minute when Ballyglass midfielder John Noonan appeared to clearly clip the heels of Manulla's Roger Clarke as he attempted to shoot from 14 yards.Castlebar referee John O'Brien, who was well up with the play, did not adjudge the incident as an infringement and waved on play.
Ballyglass made two enforced changes from the side which defeated Straide && Foxford United a week earlier.
Michael Ryan, starting his first game of the season, replaced Vinny Keane in attack, while Kevin Connolly took the midfield position left vacant by the unavailability of Joe Glynn. Keane, who had been playing with Ballintubber in the Mayo Senior G.A.A. League, was introduced when he arrived late in the second half.
Missing for Ballyglass were Joe Reapy, Mark Diskin and the injured Justin Keady.
Manulla also made two changes to their side which lost to Strand Celtic in the semi-final of the Connaught Club Champions (Michael Byrne) Cup the previous weekend.
Regular goalkeeper Rory O'Malley was surprisingly dropped to make way from Declan Jennings, who had not played for the club for almost a year, while David Earls made his full debut in place of Declan Dempsey.
Missing for Manulla were injury victims Gareth Golding, Gerry Jennings and Brian Cunnaune.
Games between the two sides are rarely ever classics, and this one was no different. In fact, it was pretty poor. Manulla dominated the opening stages, but struggled to break down a defence in which James Prenty was outstanding.
Prenty is set to miss the side's next three games after his appeal against a three-match Mayo League suspension was dismissed by the Connaught F.A.
Ballyglass are fortunate, however, that Ray Prendergast, who has rejoined them from Castlebar Celtic, will be able to slot into the position when he returns for the side's next league match, away to Westport United tomorrow (Thursday) evening.
Tom Healy had probably the best scoring chance of the first half, but his headed opportunity was inches wide of the target.
At the other end, Martin Vahey produced a dangerous cross from the left which caused the Manulla rearguard problems before Jackie Barrett headed the ball away for a corner.
Things livened up a little bit in the second half, with Manulla's strong appeals for a penalty adding a touch of spice. The tackling also got a little bit fiercer. In the circumstances, it was going to require a piece of magic to turn the game one way or the other. Martin Vahey provided it.
Ballyglass: D. Prendergast, M. Kelly, K. Staunton, J. Prenty, C. Burke, J.
Noonan, K. Connolly, P. Connolly, F. Conroy, M. Vahey, M. Ryan.
Res: V. Keane (for K. Connolly).
Manulla: D. Jennings, T. Healy, D. Ansbro, K. McDonnell, S. Staunton, M.
Costello, J. Barrett, R. Clarke, G. Lohan, S. Earls, A. Rumley.
Res: J. Hennelly (for Earls).
Ref: J. O'Brien (Castlebar).
* Star Rating: Martin Vahey. . .clinically executed late match winner.
SOCCER SCOREBOARD
Welcome Inn Hotel Premiership
Achill Rovers 4, Straide & Foxford 0Ballyglass 1, Manulla 0
Claremorris 0, Westport United 2
Conn Rangers v Urlaur United (Postponed)
Erris United 4, Castlebar United 1
Welcome Inn Hotel Division One
Ballyvary Bluebombers 4, Lacken United 1Castlebar Celtic 2, Glenhest Rovers 3
Manulla B 0, Ballyheane 1
Moy Villa 0, Ballina Rovers 0
Swinford 1, Charlestown Athletic 2
Welcome Inn Hotel Division Two [SOUTH]
Ballaghaderreen 1, Snugboro 3Newport Town 2, Castlebar Celtic B 1
Roundfort 2, Ballyhaunis 3
Welcome Inn Hotel Division Two [NORTH]
Hollister 1, Bangor Hibs 0Killala 2, Ballina United 3
Welcome Inn Hotel Reserve Division [WEST]
Ballyheane 1, Ballyglass 2Westport United 2, Achill Rovers 1
Weekend Coaching Seminar
A weekend coaching seminar, open to all clubs, takes place at Milebush, Castlebar, next weekend.It opens on Friday evening at 7.30p.m. and continues all day Saturday.
Jim McDermott, acting assistant National Coach, will conduct the introductory course which has been organised by the Mayo Youths & Schoolboys League.
Connaught Telegraph - News - May 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sports - May 1996
