Coolera-Strandhill 0-09 (p) Ballina Stephenites 0-09
Coolera-Standhill booked a place in this year's Connacht final with a dramatic finish as Ross Doherty proved to be the hero as he scored the winning penalty for his side.
Ballina started the game brightly as they opened the scoring with two early points through Evan Regan and Luke Doherty after three minutes of play but the Mayo Champions would fail to score for 23 minutes of play.
Coolera-Standhill did finally settle as they pointed after 11 minutes with Niall Murphy pointing as he came off the shoulder from Mark McDaniel. The sides were level for the first time in the match on 15 minutes when Sligo county player Niall Murphy pointed a free after Sean Taylor had been fouled in the attack.
Ballina were struggling to break down the Coolera-Standhill defence and they forced to shoot from distance leading to lot of turnovers for the Sligo team. Coolera Standhill took the lead on 24 minutes after the ball came off Leo Doherty.
The sides were level again before the break when Frank Irwin kicked over a free from distance but before the end of the half Padraig O’Hora picked up black card for foul on Sean Murphy.
The sides were level at the break but Ballina restored a two point lead after the restart with Luke and Niall Feeney on target for Niall Heffernan’s men.
The Sligo champions felt this was their time and they drew level again on 44 minutes when Barry O’Mahony and Murphy added a free.
Luke Doherty restored the lead for the Mayo men but Coolera went back in front as they lead 0-07 to 0-06 after 50 minutes when Ross Doherty pointed for his side.
Both sides had chances to win the match in normal time but a point from substitute Dylan Thornton after Ciaran Treacy had played the ball into Thornton who flicked the ball over the bar.
McDaniel had a chance to win the game at the death but his effort went wide.
The game went to extra time but would only see one point in the first period which came from Evan Regan. Niall Murphy picked up black card on 68 minutes for remonstrating with match official.
Ciaran Treacy point on 72 minutes looked like he done enough for his side to get over the line but two late frees from Murphy sent the match to penalties.
Evan Regan was first to take a penalty which he scored and this was followed by Niall Murphy but the key penalty which was saved was from Conor McStay. Coolera Standhill would score all with Barry O’Mahony, Conor Burke, Leo Doherty and Ross Doherty scoring the winner.
Coolera–Strandhill: Keelan Harte, Sean Murphy, Sean Taylor, Conor McDonagh, Jonathan Cassidy, Ross O'Carroll , Oran Harte , Kevin Banks, Peter Laffey (c) , Aaron O'Boyle, Mark McDaniel (0-1) , Ross Doherty (0-1), Leo Doherty, Niall Murphy (0-5,3fs), Barry O’Mahony (0-1)
Subs used: Hugh Rooney for Aaron O’Boyle 39, Adam Higgins for Leo Doherty 42, Conor Burke for Barry O’Mahony 48, Barry O’Mahony for Hugh Rooney (started at extra time), Leo Doherty for Conor Burke (started at extra time), Conor Burke for Barry O’Mahony 67, Barry O’Mahony for Jonathan Cassidy 80
Ballina Stephenites: David Clarke; Liam Golden, Padraig O’Hora, David Tighe; Sean Regan, Sam Callinan, Luke Jordan; Mikey Murray, Frank Irwin (0-1,1f); Luke Doherty (0-2), Conor McStay, Niall Feeney (0-1); Evan Regan (0-2,1f), Luke Feeney (0-1), Brendan Collins.
Subs used: Ciaran Treacy (0-1) for Brendan Collins 48, Rory Murrin for Luke Feeney 52, James Doherty for Sam Callinan 52, Dylan Thornton (0-1) for Niall Feeney 56, Ciaran Sweeney for Ciaran Boland 60, Niall Feeney for Evan Regan 77, Evan Regan for Ciaran Sweeney 80
Referee : Paddy Neilan (Roscommon)
