24-goal classic sees Ballyfin snatch dramatic one-point win

Ballyfin NS 13-6 

Ardough NS/Mayo NS 11-11 

BALLYFIN and Ardough/Mayo served up one of the standout games of the day on Wednesday, sharing an astonishing 24 goals in a thrilling Roinn 5 Hurling Shield encounter.

Ballyfin ultimately came out on top by the narrowest of margins, but only after surviving a late surge from Ardough/Mayo, who showed huge character to fight back from eight points down at half time and later from 10 points in arrears.

The match began in balanced fashion, with both sides trading the opening four points. Frankie McGill got Ballyfin up and running, while Daire O’Sullivan responded for Ardough/Mayo at the other end.

The game soon exploded into life with a flurry of goals. Paul Denis Ryan struck first for Ballyfin before Joseph Lawlor immediately replied for Ardough/Mayo, setting the tone for a relentless back-and-forth contest. Ryan then added a second goal as Ballyfin began to build momentum.

O’Sullivan remained a key threat for Ardough/Mayo, adding to his tally, but Ballyfin were increasingly dangerous in attack. Danny Burke contributed a point before Rian Dollard raised Ballyfin’s fourth green flag to stretch their advantage.

Ardough/Mayo stayed in the fight, with O’Sullivan finding the net, but Ballyfin responded again almost instantly as Dollard grabbed his second goal of the day.

Lawlor continued to lead the Ardough/Mayo charge, producing a fine individual goal along with a point, as the game refused to settle. Ballyfin, however, struck another major through Cormac O’Rourke, while points were exchanged late in the half as Ballyfin went in ahead, 6-4 to 3-5.

The second half proved even more extraordinary, producing a remarkable 15 goals after the restart.

Ardough/Mayo struck early with Lawlor setting up O’Sullivan for another goal, but Ballyfin quickly reasserted control with Ryan and Dollard adding further majors as they threatened to pull away.

However, Ardough/Mayo responded with a stunning purple patch, scoring 3-4 without reply to drag themselves right back into contention. Lawlor was once again central to their revival, contributing 1-4 and assisting another goal for Charlie Curran, while O’Sullivan also added a major as the gap narrowed to just a single point.

Ballyfin answered emphatically when it mattered most, hitting three unanswered goals through Ryan, O’Rourke and McGill to restore their cushion.

Ardough/Mayo refused to go away and finished strongly with late goals from Lawlor and Liam Doyle, but Ballyfin just about held firm to claim a dramatic one-point win in a game that will live long in the memory.

SCORERS:

Ballyfin NS: Paul Denis Ryan 7-1 (0-1f), Rian Dollard 3-1, Cormac O’Rourke 2-0, Frankie McGill 1-3, Danny Burke 0-1.

Ardough/Mayo: Joseph Lawlor 5-6 (0-3fs), Dáire O’Sullivan 3-4, Liam Doyle 1-1, Charlie Curran 1-0.

ARDOUGH NS/ MAYO NS: Evan Curran; Mason O’Doherty Moore, Charlie Purcell, Liam Doyle, Joseph Lawlor, Charlie Curran, Dáire O’Sullivan, Cian O’Doherty Moore, Scott Roes, Joe Haughney, Mason Shiels.

BALLYFIN NS: Cillian Phelan; John Mulligan, Sam Heffernan, TJ Doran, Frankie McGill, Danny Burke, Cormac O’Rourke, Paul Denis Ryan, Rian Dollard, Jamie Croke, Fiachra Fox.