Sports
Ballinasloe Town bid to retain Connacht Junior Cup
BALLINASLOE Town have a good record in Connacht Junior Cup finals and on Sunday in Milebush Park (3pm), they will be attempting to achieve a third success when they take on surprise packets Castlebar Celtic.
The East Galway side are defending a title they won in such dramatic fashion last year when a Liam Lynch goal deep in additional time gave them a 2-1 victory over Westport United.
The Roscommon League side picked up their first provincial crown in 2004 with a 2-1 victory over Manulla and in recent years have been a permanent fixture in the closing stages of the competition. Indeed, this is the fifth season in succession in which they have got to the last four or better.
As well as winning the Connacht Junior Cup in 2013, they secured a hat trick of domestic trophies, including the Premier League title for the third year in succession, but for a number of reasons, the success story of Ballinasloe Town has not been as rich this season.
Just two weeks ago, Dysart took their league title as Enda Concannon’s charges paid for a poor start to the season and finished as runners up. They made an early exit from the FAI Junior Cup, but have progressed to the Roscommon Cup final having seen off Ballaghadereen by 3-1 last Sunday.
Their path to the Connacht Junior Cup final saw them overcome Cartron United (4-0), Strand Celtic (2-0), Ballyheane (4-3 on pens), Moore United (5-1) and Corrib Celtic (3-2) with the last victory a particular test of their character.
One up early on, they found themselves reduced to ten men when central defender Mike Lynch was red carded for a last man challenge that resulted in the concession of a penalty. Matters were certainly going the way of Corrib Celtic as they led by 2-1 as the game entered the closing minutes. However late goals by Mark Duffy and Daragh Concannon allowed Ballinasloe to escape as they displayed a tremendous never say die spirit.
With the long serving Lynch out for Sunday due to an automatic suspension, the likelihood is that Des Hope will reposition from left full to central defence – just like he did that day in Annaghadown.
From an injury point of view, Gary Egan is carrying a knock and was left out of their side for the cup win at the weekend, while it is the same situation with Kenneth Kenny, who is also hopeful of taking a place in the starting eleven.
Full preview in this week’s Connacht Tribune