Mayo Under-21 'A' Championship Quarter-Final Replay (Friday, 9-April-99)

Lahardane.......0-8
Ballina........0-3

Confining Ballina to only one second half score, Lahardane made no mistake at Glenhest on Friday evening when they advanced to the county semi-finals with comfort.

With the aid of a crossfield breeze, the homeside sped into a two point lead through Declan Garrett and Cormac Rowland. Both defences dominated until a Liam Brady free and a Sean McHale point from play restored parity. Further opportunities were squandered before Vinnie Cawley and Declan Leonard set up Brian Rowland for a point. Cormac Rowland added a free and Shane Blake pointed superbly after collecting a Daire Nolan kick-out.

Lahardane's sixth point of the half arrived when Sean Harte spilt the defence and Cormac Rowland converted the resultant opportunity.

The introduction of Ger Brady to the Stephenites line-up for the second half failed to alter the pattern of the game although Daire Nolan had to pull off a brilliant save to deny a goal that might have changed the complexion of the game.

Midway through the half, Vinnie Cawley extended the lead to five points with a fine score from a difficult angle. In desperate need of a goal, Ballina found Daire Nolan in fine form and he dived to deny Duffy with ten minutes remaining. The Stephenites' only second half point came from a Liam Brady free but Shane Blake, who dominated midfield with Anthony McDermott, picked off a fine long range score to cancel out Brady's effort.

Lahardane had superb performances throughout but the efforts of Ray McDermott in containing Ger Brady must be highlighted in Lahardane's advance to a semi-final meeting with Ballintubber, this Sunday at Islandeady.

Lahardane: D. Nolan, A. McDonnell, D. Kelly, R. McDermott, J. McDonnell, M. Marley, S. Harte, A. McDermott, S. Blake (0-2); D. Leonard (0-1); V. Cawley (0-1); B. Rowland (0-1); D. Garrett (0-1); C. Rowland (0-2); R. Nolan.
Subs.: D. Waters, John McAndrew, C. Barrett, S. McGreevey.

Ref.: V. Neary (Bonniconlon).