Ballina took their chances
Soccer News 22 January 1997
CONNAUGHT SENIOR LEAGUE
Ballina Town ....................... 2
Castlebar Celtic ................... 0
Castlebar Celtic stumbled to their third consecutive defeat in the Connaught Senior League at Belleek on Sunday when they were overpowered by the challenge of Ballina Town in a cracking confrontation.
Town's greater ability to take their chances proved the critical factor as Ballina secured their fourth win in the series with goals by Denis McCaltmont and Joe Corcoran.
McCaltmont, the former Castlebar United striker, opened the home side's account in the 13th minute. He directed the ball into an empty net as Clive Gilmartin was appealing for a penalty after being impeded in the 18-yards box by Celtic goalkeeper, Declan Kilkelly, but referee Harry Loftus intelligently gave Ballina the advantage.
Ballina substitute secured the points for Ballina with a goal on the stroke of full time.
In between the two Ballina goals, a young Celtic side had a number of chances of equalising. Brendan Horan, the Westport -based midfielder playing his first game of the season for Celtic, missed a great opportunity from close range, as did Kevin Ryan and Fintan McHale. Interestingly, Horan was playing against his brother, Michael, the Ballina striker.
Castlebar referee Harry Loftus turned down two penalty appeals by Celtic before half-time. Fintan McHale also shot over the crossbar with a close range effort just before the interval.
OFF HIS LINE
The most clear-cut chance of the match, however, fell to Ballina's Clive Gilmartin nine minutes into the second half, but he blazed the ball wide with goalkeeper Kilkelly at his mercy.Moments later, Kevin Ryan hit a post at the other end while Ballina's Trevor Underwood had an effort cleared off the line by Celtic full-back, Sean Reilly.
McCaltmont almost caught Kilkelly off his line with a lobbed effort after seventy minutes.
Celtic manager Ivan Mohan won't be too disappointed with the result. Even in their good times, Celtic found it hard to achieve a result at Belleek. He will be satisfied by the performance of Reilly, McHale, McNicholas and Ryan.
Ballina boss Leo Tierney is hoping his side can produce a decent cup run this season. His best players were Graeme Nash, David Nash, Martin Coughlan, McCaltmont and Horan.
Ballina Town: A. Reape. G. Nash, M. Coughlan, S. Ralph, D. Nash, D. McCaltmont, B. Lackey, K. Guthrie, C. Gilmartin, T. Underwood, M. Horan. Res: J. Corcoran (for Horan inj.); M. Connor (for Coughlan).
Castlebar Celtic: D. Kilkelly, S. Reilly, R. Berkeley, D. Conway, K. Murphy, L. Reilly, D. Lawless, B. Horan, F. McHale, K. Ryan, M. McNicholas.
Ref: H. Loftus (Castlebar).
* Star Rating: Graeme Nash. . .won the man of the match awarded sponsored by
Abrakababra.
Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - January 1997
