Castlebar Mitchels quest for a fourth Mayo SFC title in a row was ended at the semi-final stage by an inspired Ballintubber, driven on by inter-county stars and brothers Diarmuid and Cillian O'Connor. Their rain-soaked affair was forced to extra-time but ultimately ended in a 0-16 to 0-15 victory for the village club.
The fierce rivals met it what was a rematch of last year's final. Ballintubber's revenge will be all the sweeter for Cillian O'Connor, as he was sent-off during that game.
It looked like a cruel repeat of the 2017 affair as Mitchels led by two with the game in injury time. However, Diarmuid O'Connor, fresh from a summer spent Stateside, kicked a superb score and the gap was one.
Diarmuid O'Connor taking it to Mitchels! 0-12 0-11. LIVE In injury time https://t.co/YBngTwgRSd pic.twitter.com/oOMZBHTUnj
— Mid West Radio (@radiomidwest) October 13, 2018
With conditions continuing to deteriorate, Cillian O'Connor managed to land a difficult free and force the game to extra-time.
LEVEL AGAIN! IT'S EXTRA TIME AGAIN!! Cillian O Connor with nerves of steel yet again! The last kick of the game levels it 0-12 0-12! https://t.co/YBngTwgRSd pic.twitter.com/duwq4fDrb2
— Mid West Radio (@radiomidwest) October 13, 2018
The duo stormed into extra-time and kicked Ballintuber into the lead.
That man again... And @BallintubberCLG lead in extra time! Listen live https://t.co/YBngTwgRSd with @TheSISMClinic pic.twitter.com/ikNRiYlZiL
— Mid West Radio (@radiomidwest) October 13, 2018
"Out on the sideline facing Paddy Durcan, most guys would turn back" But Diarmuid O Connor ain't most men! pic.twitter.com/kVdgaD5xpm
— Mid West Radio (@radiomidwest) October 13, 2018
Castlebar to their credit refused to die and managed to claw back level but a final Joe Geraghty score saw Ballintuber prevail.
WE have a winner!!!! FT after ET Mayo GAA @ConnachtGold Semi-Final: @BallintubberCLG 0-16 @MitchelsGaa 0-15, it's Breaffy v Ballintubber in the County Final next Saturday night & it's live on @MayoGAATV. #mayogaa #gaa
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) October 13, 2018
What a win for Ballintubber! Will hold my hands up and say I didn't see it happening. Kevin Johnson has done a serious job with them this year
— Ger Flanagan (@Gerry_Flan93) October 13, 2018
Big shock in Mayo with Ballintubber beating Castlebar tonight after another draw but they come out on top after Extra Time #mayogaa https://t.co/7t3MliuYMW
— Bear In The Square (@bearnthesquare) October 13, 2018
Epic scenes in McHale Park, massive win for Ballintubber. Great coverage on @MayoGAATV #mayogaa
— Conor Heneghan (@conorheneghan1) October 13, 2018
The result means they will progress to play Breaffy in next weekend's final. Ballintubber will look to claim their first county crown since 2014, while Breaffy have never won the final with only two previous appearances.
