A relief for Player of the Match Roisin as Ballinamore get over the line

After missing out on so many big days over the past four years, for Player of the Match Roisin McHugh, it was simply a relief to see Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins get over the line in Sunday’s Gotham Dry Wall LGFA Senior B Final.

Roisin, who hit 1-8 on the day, reflected the relief in the Ballinamore camp: “Just a great relief to finally get over the line after losing so many finals over the years, we finally did it today. We learned from those awful experiences for the better today.”

St Mary’s led by a goal midway through the half but Roisin stressed that Ballinamore knew if they could keep close when playing against the wind, that victory would be within their grasp: “We were playing against the wind in the first half and we knew if we could keep with them that it would pay off when we had the wind. We hit back once they got one or two goals and we knew once we were within touching distance that we could pull away from there.”

Ballinamore banish demons of past losses with dominant display

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

Ballinamore lost twice to St Mary’s this year  and Roisin felt that her teammates were determined there would be third time final: “I feel like we didn’t perform in a lot of games in the championship this year. A few lucky goals for St Mary’s, unlucky for us, in the group stage, we came away disappointed.

“We knew that couldn’t possibly let that happen today. We knew we had the beating of them but it didn’t come off but thankfully it paid off today.”

Celebrations were first and foremost in Ballinamore minds after the game but Roisin was also casting an eye at the Connacht Intermediate Club campaign later this month: “Looking forward to Connacht after seeing how well Kiltubrid did last year - it is definitely achievable so we’ll celebrate tonight, look forward to Connacht and take it one game at a time.”