Mayo SFC: A Ryan O'Donoghue masterclass as Claremorris defence implodes

by Nathan Guilfoyle

This was just a masterclass in efficiency in front of goal from Belmullet, combined with a dreadful approach to defending from Claremorris, in this Mayo SFC quarterfinal, the north Mayo side winning by 5-13 to 0-20 away.

Claremorris conceded six goals to Westport and managed to win, but five goals in front of a huge crowd in Claremorris was too much for Kevin Beirne’s men to overcome in a game that was largely evenly matched on the balance of play.

Belmullet relished the challenge that was ahead of them and played like a team with tremendous experience and maturity, decision making excellent largely and their attacking play was built on strong running off the shoulder, and simply making Claremorris defenders do things they just simply were not able to do.

A goal inside four minutes from Fionn O’Donoghue got them on their way.

Out of the five they scored this was one of the best, a lovely finish under Darragh Fallon who has gotten into a habit of picking the ball out of his own net.

Claremorris played with the wind and Niall Hurley looked like he would win the game on his own, four points all from play in the opening eight minutes, but missed goal chances, combined with Jack Noone tapping over a point while bearing down on goal.

Claremorris led 0-6 to 1-2 after 11 minutes but O’Donoghue got his second goal soon after, very soft defending led to him rifling into the top corner from 21m under little to no pressure at all.

Belmullet then began to build confidence and kicked three in a row through Ryan O’Donoghue, with two of those frees.

Belmullet have been known as a one man attack in recent years but O’Donoghue was well marshalled for large parts by Paul Gilmore, and it was the likes of Fionn O’Donoghue, Anthony Barrett, Eamon McAndrew and Ryan Concannon running up the field that led to most of the danger.

Ryan O’Donoghue operated at 11 and pulled the strings for his side, who led 2-4 to 9 entering half time after Claremorris had further scores from Mark Maloney (2) and Dara Hurley.

Belmullet smelled blood anytime they attacked and added a third goal on the stroke of half time with Seamus Howard rifling home, after breezing through a Claremorris defence that really was extremely open throughout, the halftime score 3-4 to 9 points.

Belmullet then added a fourth goal after half time, with Eamonn McAndrew finishing at his ease after more slick Belmullet attacking combined with soft Claremorris defending.

McAndrew added his first point of the game soon after, before Anthony Barrett got his first to leave Belmullet 4-6 to 10 points up after 35 minutes.

Claremorris introduced Darragh Beirne soon after for his first championship action for Claremorris all season, and Beirne looked like he was in good condition, scoring a trademark point with his first possession, but Shane Nallen saved from close range from Beirne in what looked to be a turning point.

Claremorris got it back to a four point game with further scores from Beirne and Maloney, however Ryan O’Donoghue kicked a two point free to keep his side in the lead at arms length, before scoring from play soon after.

Beirne added his first of two point frees with 50 minutes on the clock, but the game was put to bed only a minute later after Anthony Barrett finished with ease to put his side eight points up and cruising coming down the stretch.

It was only minutes after Shane Nallen saved a penalty from Niall Hurley to bring the margin back to three, and everything that went on after that was trivial to the result.

Belmullet finished with aplomb with a two pointed free from Ryan O’Donoghue and point from play through Fionn O’Donoghue, and while Beirne (2PF) and Hurley responded, the margin was eight at full time.

Belmullet face Garrymore in what should be a cracking semi-final while there will also be huge interest in the penultimate round meeting of Castlebar Mitchels and Breaffy.

Try picking the finalists for that!

Scorers for Belmullet: R. O’Donoghue (0-8, 2 2PFs, 2Fs), F O’Donoghue (2-1), A Barrett (1-2), E McAndrew (1-1), S Howard (1-0), S Nallen (0-1, 45’).

Scorers for Claremorris: N. Hurley (0-7, F), D Beirne (0-6, 2 2PFs, F), M Maloney (0-3), Dara Hurley (0-2), David Hurley (0-1) ; J Noone (0-1).

Ref: P Lydon (Kiltimagh).