Ballina Stephenites 1-15 Westport 0-18
Defending champions Ballina Stephenites needed a two-point free from Frank Irwin four minutes into added time to snatch a 1-15 to 0-18 draw from the jaws of defeat after a rip-roaring Mayo SFC final at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.
Westport looked set to upset the odds when they took the lead for the first time in the closing stages through Brian McDermott's brilliant two-pointer and a snapshot from Killian Kilkelly, but Irwin’s late free means the teams will have to meet again next Saturday.
This repeat of the 2022 final certainly lived up to its billing in terms of excitement and drama. The three-in-a-row chasing Stephenites hit the ground running and raced into a seven-point lead after 11 minutes with Evan Regan (3), Mikey Murray (2) and the Irwin brothers, Jack and Frank, all on target.
A minute later, Westport finally opened their account through the inspirational Lee Keegan, but unfortunately it was their captain’s last involvement in the game.
Both the former Footballer of the Year and Ballina’s Padraig O’Hora were forced to leave the field injured after they collided heavily as Keegan was getting his shot off.
A brilliant two-pointer from the aforementioned Evan Regan extended Ballina’s lead out to eight points and Westport seemed to be really struggling against the strong wind.
But Pat Holmes’ team stuck to their task and four points without reply from Finbarr McLaughlin, Joe Grady, Rory Brickenden and Conal Dawson (free) brought them back into contention.
It was 0-09 to 0-05 to Ballina at half-time with everything to play for.
The second half took on a life of its own with the Stephenites taking back the initiative in the early stages through scores from Luke Doherty and Conor McStay.
That left Niall Heffernan’s team up by 0-11 to 0-06 after 40 minutes.
But that was as good as it got for the holders as Westport warmed to their task and, driven on by the likes of Ben Doyle, Brian McDermott, and the McLaughlin brothers, Finbarr and Eoghan, came roaring back into contention.
A string of scores from Doyle, substitute Kevin Keane, Killian Kilkelly (free) and Pat Lambert closed the gap to the bare minimum on 50 minutes, and all the momentum seemed to be with Westport.
Ballina then came back down the field, where Evan Regan clipped a free to steady the ship, but a spectacular two-pointer from Finbarr McLaughlin levelled the match for the first time on 52 minutes.
From there to the end it was as frantic as it was dramatic.
A two-pointer from a free by Killian Kilkelly gave Westport the lead for the first time before substitute Tom Lambert pushed them three points clear with a neat score.
Now it was Ballina’s turn to feel the pressure, but they responded like true champions when they pounced for a goal when Evan Regan palmed the ball to the net after Mikey Murray’s effort for a point dropped short.
This levelled the game yet again but Luke Doherty popped up to push the Stephenites ahead in the 59th minute as the momentum continued to ebb and flow.
The last five minutes of the game were a blur as Westport made one last big push to try and win just the second Moclair Cup in their history.
A terrific two-pointer from the outstanding Brian McDermott was followed by a trademark effort from Killian Kilkelly to leave the West Mayo men just moments from victory.
But Ballina mustered up one last attack and a foul on David Tighe gave Frank Irwin the opportunity to draw the game.
He took it with great confidence, drilling his free from outside the 40m arc over the bar confidently to leave it all square after a thrilling finale.
Ballina Stephenites: D Clarke; L Golden, L Jordan, C Boland; S Callinan, P O'Hora, D Tighe; M Murray (0-2, 1tp), F Irwin (0-3, 1tpf); D Thornton, C McStay (0-1), N Feeney; E Regan (1-6, 1tpf, 1tp, 1f), J Irwin (0-1), L Doherty (0-2).
Subs used: C Treacy for O’Hora (12, inj); L Feeney for Treacy (45); B Thornton for J Irwin (58, inj); S Regan for Boland (60).
Westport: P O'Malley; B Doyle (0-1), N McManamon, B McDermott (0-2); C Dawson (0-1, 1f), E McLaughlin, F McLaughlin (0-4, 1tp); R Brickenden (0-1), L Keegan (0-1); L Tunney, J Holmes, B O’Malley; L Silke, K Kilkelly (0-4, 1tpf, 1f), C Moran.Subs used: Joe Grady (0-1) for Keegan (12, inj); K Keane (0-1) for Silke (38); Pat Lambert (0-1) for Moran (46); Tom Lambert (0-1) for Tunney (57).
Referee: P Lydon
