Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins aim for Connacht glory

Like the proverbial buses, Connacht LGFA Club Finals are coming around with increasing frequency as Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins set their sights on the Intermediate title next Saturday, November 11, when they take on Sligo's Eoghan Rua in Markievicz Park (1.00 throw-in).

Glencar Manorhamilton famously won the 2020 edition of this title in 2021 and Kiltubrid contested last year's final, losing narrowly to Charlestown while St Brigid's contested last Sunday's Connacht Junior Club Final, emphasising the strength of the club game in the county.

How much of that is down to the fact that Leitrim have a concession at Connacht level for their Senior B champions to play at Intermediate level and the Intermediate winners to contest the Junior grade is hard to know but it is also a situation that applies to opponents Eoghan Rua from Easkey.

St Brigid's rue missed chances and slow start as clinical Claremorris edge thriller

ST BRIGID'S 2-8 CLAREMORRIS 2-13

The Sligo champions contested the Senior championship in Sligo before overcoming Eastern Harps in the semi-final and Drumcliffe Rosses Point in the final on a 3-13 to 3-10 scoreline after extra-time.

Extra time has been a theme for the Sligo women who came through an absolute epic in their Connacht semi-final as they overcame last year's All Ireland Junior champions Salthill Knocknacarra, again after extra-time.

If anyone needs confirmation of the resolve shown by the Sligo women, it must surely come from the fact that with less than three minutes of normal time left, the Galway side had opened up a five point gap. But Eoghan Rua hit back almost instantly with a goal and from there to the finish, the Sligo women hit two points to secure extra-time.

With the sides deadlocked at the end of the first period of extra-time, Eoghan Rua found enough energy to hit two decisive scores that won them their place in Saturday's Connacht Final against Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins.

O'Heslins had a much more straight-forward path - they absorbed an early blast from St Mary's in the Leitrim Senior B Final before charging to a comprehensive 5-14 to 3-9 victory over the Carrick women. They were equally impressive in their Connacht Semi-Final win against McHale Rovers in Crossmolina, winning 4-12 to 1-9 in a very effective display away from home.

Ballinamore's formula sounds simple but takes a lot of hard and often unseen work. With forwards like Roisin McHugh, Aoibheann Flynn and Laura O'Dowd, the Leitrim champions boast real pace and incredible scoring power with the tireless Megan McGowan adding huge impetus from the middle of the park.

Mollie Murphy leads a tigerish defensive unit that is mobile and able to recover well with Deborah McGourty, Abbi Sweeney and captain Grainne Prior real standouts.

O'Dowd and McHugh are the real drivers of this Ballinamore team - O'Dowd's lung bursting runs and blistering pace turns defence into attack in an instant while McHugh's ball winning ability and passing range often sees her dictate games without running up enormous tallies herself.

Ballinamore, however, have lost Emma McGovern who is studying in America, which reduces their options somewhat and reduces their ball winning ability in attack but what stands to the Leitrim champions is their confidence and experience. 

It may have been heartbreaking to lose so many finals but this is an experienced Ballinamore outfit who have battled with teams who have claimed or come close to tasting provincial glory. They have clearly timed their season to perfection as they have hit their best displays of the year in their last two outings.

Heartbreak for St Brigid's as Claremorris claim Connacht title - GALLERY

Heartbreak for St Brigid's as a clinical Claremorris denied them their dreams of Connacht LGFA Junior Club glory on Sunday in Abbey Park Boyle with the Mayo side prevailing 2-13 to 2-8. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan was there with his camera, capturing some great shots of both sets of fans enjoying an enthralling encounter ..... see who you can spot!

Added to that, they have nothing to lose - they are experienced campaigners and while Eoghan Rua will pose a different challenge, a team capable of running up big scores and also fighting their way back into games, Ballinamore should approach this contest with a great deal of confidence.

The one wrinkle that has undone them at times in the past has been a failure to drive home their advantage. It cost them against St Mary's in the group stages but when they find their range, Ballinamore possess an attacking strength that most teams find difficult to counter.

Maybe the biggest challenge they face will be on the mental side of things - Ballinamore beat good Mayo opposition and will justly feel confident. That brings its own pressure and expectations but if O'Heslins can harness those in a positive fashion, there is no doubt that they have the ability to win a Connacht title on Saturday.