Today wasn't in our script but St Mary's will learn from it says Declan Bohan

Last Sunday’s Gotham Dry Wall Senior B Final loss was a tough one to take according to manager Declan Bohan but he stressed that St Mary’s will learn from the difficult experience.

“Today was disappointing, this wasn’t in our script,” said Declan after the game, “We would have hoped to be much more competitive, we came here to win and unfortunately that is not the way it worked out. 

“But I just said to the girls, every year doesn’t turn into a trophy year - you’ve got to ply your trade. The reality was, as far as the stats go, the last four Intermediate champions were relegated back down the next year so our target basically was to try and ensure we maintained our senior status, to allow this team to develop and we achieved that.”

Ballinamore banish demons of past losses with dominant display

BALLINAMORE SEAN O'HESLINS 5-15 ST MARY'S KILTOGHERT 3-5

Ballinamore’s physical power and experience played a big role in St Mary’s struggles: “We had a really good competitive season and we also learned a lot and we learned a lot out there today that when it comes down to the real important days, when the trophies are being handed out, you have to have a certain amount of physicality.

“I’m not suggesting Ballinamore are a physical team or anything like that don’t take me up wrong but it is that desire to win the dirty ball, the 50-50 ball - we lost a number of those challenges today because the other team had that little bit more desire in going for the ball and that’s not a criticism of our girls at all.”

The midfield battle saw Ballinamore dominate but Declan also felt the winners were that bit more clinical: “They bossed that area of the field and we did struggle to get any sort of hold on it whatsoever. Obviously that leads to an increased number of chances up the field - we got a couple of goals from breaks early on in the first half and they effectively kept us in it. 

Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins celebrate landing Senior B title with devastating performance - GALLERY

After years of heartache in finals, Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins turned on the style in Sunday's Gotham Dry Wall LGFA Senior B Final when they overwhelmed St Mary's Kiltoghert 5-15 to 3-5 in Pairc Cil Tiobraid. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan was there to capture the celebrations ... see who you can spot!

“But Ballinamore, I have to say, were much more economical with the chances they created in the first half and that gave them the platform going into the second half and with the breeze behind them, the desire that they had and the ability they have, they were never going to cough it up after that.”