Coolera-Strandhill Shocks Ballina in Thrilling Penalty Shootout Upset

Coolera-Strandhill Shocks Ballina in Thrilling Penalty Shootout Upset

November 17, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Sports

Coolera-Strandhill 0-09 (p) Ballina Stephenites 0-09

Coolera-Strandhill advanced to the Connacht final with a thrilling finish, thanks to Ross Doherty’s winning penalty.

Ballina started strong, scoring two points through Evan Regan and Luke Doherty within three minutes. After this, however, they struggled and went 23 minutes without a score. Coolera-Strandhill found their rhythm, with Niall Murphy scoring their first point at 11 minutes. They leveled the game at 15 minutes when Murphy converted a free kick after Sean Taylor was fouled.

Ballina had difficulty breaking through the Coolera-Strandhill defense, leading to several turnovers. Coolera-Strandhill took the lead on 24 minutes due to a deflection off Leo Doherty. Frank Irwin equalized with a free kick just before halftime, but Padraig O’Hora received a black card for fouling Sean Murphy.

The game remained tied at halftime, but Ballina regained a two-point lead after the restart with scores from Luke and Niall Feeney. Coolera-Strandhill leveled again at 44 minutes with contributions from Barry O’Mahony and Murphy. Luke Doherty briefly restored Ballina’s lead, but Coolera-Strandhill took it back with a point from Ross Doherty, leading 0-07 to 0-06 after 50 minutes.

Both teams had opportunities to win in normal time, but substitute Dylan Thornton’s point leveled the match again. Mark McDaniel missed a chance to win it for Coolera-Strandhill at the end of regulation time.

The match went to extra time, where only one point was scored in the first period by Evan Regan. Niall Murphy received a black card for arguing with the referee. Ciaran Treacy’s point in the second period seemed to secure a victory, but late frees from Murphy sent the match to penalties.

In the shootout, Evan Regan scored first for Ballina, followed by Niall Murphy’s successful kick. However, Conor McStay’s penalty was saved. Coolera-Strandhill converted all their penalties, with Barry O’Mahony, Conor Burke, Leo Doherty, and Ross Doherty sealing the win.

Teams:

  • Coolera-Strandhill: Keelan Harte, Sean Murphy, Sean Taylor, Conor McDonagh, Jonathan Cassidy, Ross O’Carroll, Oran Harte, Kevin Banks, Peter Laffey (c), Aaron O’Boyle, Mark McDaniel (0-1), Ross Doherty (0-1), Leo Doherty, Niall Murphy (0-5, 3 frees), Barry O’Mahony (0-1).

    • Subs used: Hugh Rooney for Aaron O’Boyle (39), Adam Higgins for Leo Doherty (42), Conor Burke for Barry O’Mahony (48), Barry O’Mahony for Hugh Rooney (ET), Leo Doherty for Conor Burke (ET), Conor Burke for Barry O’Mahony (67), Barry O’Mahony for Jonathan Cassidy (80).

  • Ballina Stephenites: David Clarke, Liam Golden, Padraig O’Hora, David Tighe, Sean Regan, Sam Callinan, Luke Jordan, Mikey Murray, Frank Irwin (0-1, 1 free), Luke Doherty (0-2), Conor McStay, Niall Feeney (0-1), Evan Regan (0-2, 1 free), Luke Feeney (0-1), Brendan Collins.

    • Subs used: Ciaran Treacy (0-1) for Brendan Collins (48), Rory Murrin for Luke Feeney (52), James Doherty for Sam Callinan (52), Dylan Thornton (0-1) for Niall Feeney (56), Ciaran Sweeney for Ciaran Boland (60), Niall Feeney for Evan Regan (77), Evan Regan for Ciaran Sweeney (80).
  • Referee: Paddy Neilan (Roscommon).