Two goals in extra-time helped Knockmore to victory over Breaffy in the Connacht Gold Mayo SFC semi-finals today.
Connacht Gold Mayo SFC semi-finals
Ballina Stephenites 1-18 Ballaghderreen 2-12 (AET)
Knockmore 2-15 Breaffy 0-18
By Colm Gannon in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.
Ballina Stephenites and Knockmore will square off in the final of the Mayo GAA Senior Football Championship after the north Mayo rivals emerged victorious following a thrilling day of football in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.
At various times, both sides looked to be heading out of the championship, but they showed the steel and determination both sides are known for to get over the line against Ballaghadreen and Breaffy respectively with both games going to extra-time.
In the second game of the day Knockmore and Breaffy were inseparable for long periods and the sides were locked at 13 points each with the game in injury time.
Aidan Orme had a golden opportunity to secure an all-North Mayo final with a close-range free, but his shot drifted wide on the near side in the second minute of injury time.
There was still time for Aidan O'Shea to snatch a win for Breaffy with a long-range attempt right at the end, but his effort fell short, pushing the game into extra time.
Breaffy had held a narrow 0-8 to 0-7 lead at halftime in a tightly contested match and remained ahead until the 49th minute when Conor Flynn’s well-taken score put Knockmore 0-13 to 0-12 in front. O'Shea then tied it up with a pointed free, sending the match into an additional 20 minutes.
The momentum appeared to shift Breaffy's way when Knockmore were reduced to 14 men early in extra time, and Breaffy led 0-16 to 0-14 at the break.
However, Breaffy also went down to 14 players shortly after the restart. Knockmore capitalised quickly, scoring two goals within the first five minutes of the second half of extra time, courtesy of Charlie Bourke and Billy Ruane, securing their spot in the final against Ballina Stephenites in two weeks' time.
In the days opening game the defending champions Ballina Stephenites had to go to the well to see off east Mayo men Ballaghaderreen.
The teams were tied at five points each at halftime, but the game sprang to life early in the second half when Ballina’s Sean Regan's looping shot fooled Jamie Lunt, delivering the first goal of the match.
Just 60 seconds later, Darragh Kelly equalised with a close-range finish from the ground. Luke Connor then put Ballaghaderreen ahead, and by the 38th minute, Kuba Callaghan found the net, seemingly putting them on course for victory.
Ballina remained resilient, and with Sam Callinan leading the charge, they edged in front during injury time as Evan Regan slotted over what appeared to be the winning point.
However, Ballaghaderreen earned one final opportunity in the fifth minute of injury time and were awarded a free, which Callaghan calmly converted, forcing extra time.
In extra time, the champions took control, with Frank Irwin and Conor McStay spearheading a scoring run that put them three points ahead as time ticked away.
Sharoize Akram came close to leveling the score near the end, but Luke Doherty blocked his effort on the line. Regan then added one last point, sealing Ballina's return to the final with a four-point victory.
