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Belleek, Ballina - 29th July 2004

Ballina Town 0 - Castlebar Celtic 3

BALLINA Town’s hopes of winning the Super League are over after they lost to a Celtic side that seem intent on claiming the title. Despite Ballina applying some early pressure, the visitors took the lead after sixteen minutes. Eamon Creane made a tricky run down the left flank and his inswinging cross was met by an unstoppable James Scott header as the away side grabbed a crucial goal. It was rough justice on the home side as Ballina controlled the opening exchanges.

Three minutes later, Fergal Forde received the ball twenty yards from the Celtic goal but his weak effort never troubled Declan Kilkelly. After twenty-two minutes, Celtic grabbed a very fortunate second goal. Paul Maye raced down the right-wing and fired in a low cross into the hosts penalty box. Scott was unmarked and his attempted strike never materialised, as he completly missed the ball. However, Sean McHale was lurking at the far post and gladly applied a simple finish.

Ballina were clearly annoyed at conceading such a sloppy goal and upped the tempo and on the half hour mark. Dwayne Helly set-up Eugene Gorman, who saw his effort inside the box go inches wide.

Eight minutes later, Celtic could have been down to ten men. Creane was late with a tackle on Tomas Duffy which resulted in the Town player receiving attention. However, refereee, Pat Foley, only issued a yellow card.

Five minutes before the break, Ballina hit the upright. A Eugene Gorman free from the left was headed onto the post by Helly and Kilkelly was able to clutch the re-bounding ball into his arms.

As in the first half, Ballina were the better side during the opening period of the second half. Following great build up play, Gorman hit a stinging drive that was saved by Kilkelly on eight minutes. Shortly after, the hosts missed a golden oppurtunity. Michael Duffy played a through ball into the path of Gorman. Gorman raced into the penalty box and hit a poor effort that failed to hit the target.

Eight minutes later, Celtic grabbed their third goal of the evening and in the process claimed the three points. Eamon Daly fired a free-kick into the Ballina penalty box, which was knocked onto McHale’s path by Russell Gibbons. McHale struck the ball sweetly and gave Mark Burke no chance with a great finish.

Following this goal, the game dragged out until the final whistle as Celtic and Ballina knew that it was game over. The best players for Ballina were Tomas Duffy, Eugene Gorman, and Fergal Forde. For Celtic, Noel Cusack, Russell Gibbons and Sean McHale all impressed.

Ballina Town: M. Burke, T. Duffy, E. Giblin, A. Brennan, T. O’Connor, N. Beatty, F. Forde, D. Helly, D. O’Connor, M. Duffy, E. Gorman.

Subs: L. Tierney for D. Helly (75), J. Conway for N. Beatty, J. Rice for M. Duffy (both 81).

Castlebar Celtic: D. Kilkelly, P. Neary, N. Cusack, F. McHale, E. Daly, R. Gibbons, P. Maye, W. Hurst, J. Scott, S. McHale, E. Creane.

Subs: D. Ainsworth for J. Scott (76), S. Jennings for F. McHale, A. O’Brien for E. Creane, B. McNulty for P. Neary (all 80).

Referee: P. Foley