Leyden & McKiernan lead storming Ballinamore finish past Mohill and into Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC Final

A storming finish, highlighted by crucial goals from Michael McKiernan and Brian Leyden, saw Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins book their place in the Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC Final for the third year in a row as they left Mohill shell-shocked last Saturday in Heartland Credit Union Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada.​

​Trailing by six points with 14 minutes to go, a breakaway Michael McKiernan goal reignited Ballinamore’s challenge in a game where Mohill looked in complete control, their hard running and dominance in the middle of the park something O’Heslins were unable to cope with for the opening three quarters of the game.

But Ballinamore’s transformation was stunning as they repeatedly broke ball in the middle of the park and hoovered up all the breaks, Tom Prior storming into the game as he created chance after chance.

The match was still delicately poised in the final minute, Mohill missing a chance to equalise before an unfortunate collision between two Mohill players in the middle of the park released O’Heslins, Leyden grabbing his second goal to all but seal their place in the final for a third year in a row.

The scoreline suggests a comfortable win but for a long time, Mohill looked the better and more composed team but you have to credit Ballinamore’s resilience, missing some easy chances and not firing on all cylinders, they were able to seize their opportunity and return to the final for a third year in a row. This one will hurt Mohill as Ballinamore’s strength off the bench was huge in a tight contest.

Hard to look beyond Brian Leyden as the game’s most influential performer although he was hard pushed by Michael McKiernan. Leyden’s two goals bookmarked Ballinamore’s victory but it was not just his goals that made a difference as he was a constant threat for O’Heslins. Michael McKiernan’s impact was huge for the winners as he added physical power and turned the battle for possession in the middle of the park in the final quarter.

Conor Quinn, Keith Keegan and Jack Rowley were immense for Mohill, Rowley doing a sticky and effective job in curbing the influence of Tom Prior, but coming down the final stretch, they couldn’t match Ballinamore’s strength off the bench and ultimately was the difference on the day as Mohill wilted in the face of a renewed Ballinamore.

Goal chances were the order of the day early, Domhnaill Flynn firing a shot in the Ballinamore side netting before Brian Leyden did brilliantly to come from behind, win a long ball and round a defender before firing to the net after just two minutes. Paul Moran added a free and Tom Prior broke through a challenge to point on six minutes.

Trailing 1-2 to no score, Mohill’s response was impressive - Keith Beirne landed a two point free before Keith Keegan charged in, breaking through challenges, before firing the ball to the Ballinamore net, Matthew Murphy putting Mohill one to the good in just two minutes of action.

Jordan Reynolds had a goal chance, albeit from a long way out, but fired wide and Paul Honeyman’s run set up Paul Moran for an equalising point. With Ballinamore misfiring, Honeyman missing two frees including a 14 metre effort, Mohill surged in front with points from Beirne (free) and Jordan Reynolds.

Domhnaill Flynn landed an enormous two point on 22 minutes but with both sides missing chances, Keelan McHugh’s point on 27 minutes was the last of the half as Mohill led 1-7 to 1-4 at the break.

Paul Honeyman narrowed the gap inside the first minute from distance before Ballinamore had a let-off when Matthew Murphy’s fisted effort didn’t trouble Darren Maxwell in goal. Keith Keegan played a one-two with Domhnaill Flynn before firing over to re-open a three point lead.

That lead was six points on 37 minutes, Fiachra McGuinness gathering Conor Quinn’s handpass over the top, rounding his man and blasting home from close range despite fierce pressure. Ballinamore reacted, sending on Wayne McKeon and Michael McKiernan three minutes later.

Dillon Beirne produced a nice sidestep to answer for O’Heslins, Jordan Reynolds responding almost immediately. Paul Moran pulled back a point but after David Mitchell claimed a kickout under pressure, Mohill worked the ball to their captain for his second point in quick succession.

Midway through the half, Mohill looked in control but when Ballinamore forced a turnover from Reynolds, they attacked at pace, Michael McKiernan cutting through the Mohill defence before firing a low, powerful shot to the bottom right hand corner of the net. And from the next possession, Paul Honeyman, under no pressure, landed a superb two pointer on 48 minutes.

Mohill’s six point lead was now down to one and momentum with O’Heslins, even with a brilliant diving Shane Quinn block on a Niall McGovern shot. Neither side could land a blow until Tom Prior’s strong run was finished with the equalising point.

Mohill were caught for a three-up breach but Honeyman put the two point free wide but from the kickout, Ballinamore broke the ball, Prior setting up McKiernan for a crucial point with just over two minutes left.

Mohill went hunting for an equaliser, Keegan hitting a bad wide and from the kickout, Conor Quinn and Frankie McManus collided as both went for the kickout, the ball breaking to Tom Prior who immediately sent it long to Brian Leyden in behind the cover and the full-forward made no mistake with a clinical finish.

That killed Mohill’s challenge but Ballinamore made sure, a long Wayne McKeon delivery finding McKiernan for a point. Tom Prior was black-carded for stopping a Mohill break and with Mohill messing up a two point attempt, Ballinamore secured their place in the final with a late Honeyman point.

BALLINAMORE SEAN O’HESLINS

Scorers: Brian Leyden 2-0; Michael McKiernan 1-2; Paul Honeyman 0-4, tp; Paul Moran 0-3, f; Tom Prior 0-2; Dillon Beirne & Keelan McHugh 0-1 each

Team: Darren Maxwell, Louise Quinn, Brian Banks, Matthew Murphy, Donal Feely, Michael McBrien, Cathal McHugh, Shane Moran, Niall McGovern, Dillon Beirne, Tom Prior, Keelan McHugh, Paul Moran, Brian Leydon, Paul Honeyman. Subs: Wayne McKeon for Feeley (37); Michael McKiernan for K McHugh (42); Luke Murphy for P Moran (55); Dean McGovern for Beirne (56)

MOHILL

Scorers: Keith Keegan 1-1; Jordan Reynolds (f) & Keith Beirne (tpf & f) 0-3 each; Fiachra McGuinness 1-0; Domhnaill Flynn 0-2, tp; Matthew Murphy 0-1

Team: Padraig Tighe; Ryan Bohan, Shane Quinn, Alan Armstrong; Sean Harkin, Keith Keegan, James Mitchell; Domhnaill Flynn; Conor Quinn; Evan Harkin, Keith Beirne, Jack Rowley; Mathew Murphy, Jordan Reynolds, Fiachra McGuinness. Subs: Frankie McManus & Alan McLoughlin for Armstrong & Murphy (51)

Referee: Martin Feeney