WELCOME INN HOTEL MAYO LEAGUE PREMIER
DIVISION
28 May 1997
Urlaur knock a dent in growing Ballyglass reputation
Urlaur United ...................... 1 Ballyglass ......................... 1
By Tom Kelly. . . at Urlaur
The growing perception that Ballyglass are going to run away with the Mayo League Premier Division championship title received a jolt when the defending champions were denied their fourth successive win by Urlaur United at the weekend.
But the South Mayo side were less than ten minutes away from preserving their one hundred per cent record of the new campaign when they conceded an equalising goal of fairly bizarre proportions.
An eight-man melee developed inside the Ballyglass six-yards box with the players from opposing sides claiming their own vindication from Castlebar referee, Jimmy Blake. Those in Urlaur shirts were screaming for a penalty for what they saw as a handball infringement, while the Ballyglass defenders sought a free out for a foul on goalkeeper, Declan Prendergast. The referee granted neither, play continued and Urlaur defender Michael Horan poked the ball past the goalkeeper who was lying flat on his back.
Further controversy and confusion broke out, however, with Ballyglass players and officials claiming the ball had never crossed the goal-line. But the reaction of the Urlaur players suggested otherwise and the referee pointed to the centre circle.
The debate did not end there. There was a certain degree of uproar moments later when Ballyglass claimed a shot by John Noonan had crossed the goal-line after rebounding off a post. But so swift was the reaction of Urlaur goalkeeper Denis Stephens that it was impossible to tell whether it had or not. Referee Blake certainly did not think it had as he waved on play.
Crucial league games between Urlaur and Ballyglass are rarely short on incident, and this was one of the better ones in that respect. In a match which flowed from end to end, Urlaur, with title ambitions of their own, had the better of the first half and should have made more of their chances. Jerome Hunt was twice denied by goalkeeper Prendergast, while Owen Callaghan saw a brilliant effort rebound off the crossbar.
GREATER INROADS
Ballyglass, having weathered the storm, imposed themselves with greater authority in the second half. Steve Ring was making greater inroads in an attack which was clearly missing the silken skills of the injured Martin Vahey.
But the manner in which they took the lead in the 68th minute was more the result of a defensive error than attacking inspiration. Urlaur full-back Jack Duffy was caught in possession by hard-working Ballyglass striker Kevin Connolly. Connolly rolled the ball sweetly to John Noonan who struck his first league goal of the season with aplomb.
The home side, inspired by the impressive Chris Jordan, hit back. Needing at least a draw to keep in touch with the race at the top of the table, they pressed greater numbers in attack and caught out the Ballyglass defence on a number of occasions with lightening runs through the middle.
When the equalising goal came, it was no more than they deserved, even if Ballyglass were not entirely happy by the nature of it.
Urlaur: D. Stephens, Jack Duffy, M. Horan, P. Beirne, John Duffy, T. Moriarty, J.S. Duffy, J. Costello, J. Hunt, C. Jordan, O. Callaghan. Res: D. Campbell (for Hunt); J. Roddy (for Campbell).
Ballyglass: D. Prendergast, M. Kelly, K. Staunton, J. Keady, C. Burke, P. Connolly, R. Prendergast, J. Reapy, K. Connolly, S. Ring, J. Noonan. Ref: J. Blake (Castlebar).
* Star Rating: Chris Jordan . . . Urlaur Mr. Action man.
