Mayo IFC: Ballinrobe ease into last eight as Mitchels B fail to fire

Billed as a game that could go right to the wire with a place in the Egan Jewellers Intermediate Football Championship quarterfinals up for grabs, the clash of Ballinrobe and Castlebar Mitchels B was instead as good as over by half-time, writes John Melvin.

Ballinrobe proved too strong in the end, winning on a 2-20 to 0-8 scoreline in Tourmakeady in this third and final round in the group stages.

It was enough for Ballinrobe to secure their place in the last, eight where they will meet Ardnaree.

The other game between Ballyhaunis and The Neale was cancelled due to a tragic bereavement in Ballyhaunis, but Ballinrobe will still finish as runners-up regardless. Ballyhaunis will top the group as winners having beaten Ballinrobe in their opening game, both teams now on four points.

If it is some consolation for Mitchels that they will at least be playing intermediate football next season having beaten The Neale in their opening game, they will still be disappointed with this performance. That is especially the case after beating The Neale in round one and giving Ballyhaunis a good run for their money in round two.

It was a learning curve for a young Mitchels side, who were chased and harried by Ballinrobe, the starting six forward contributing handsomely and the defenders really turning up the heat.

There were impressive performers all over the field, including Rossa Burke at wing-back, but Ewan Duffy stole the show with some excellent points, including two two-pointers as he finished on a tally of six points.

*See Tuesday's print edition of The Connaught Telegraph for a full report on the game