Ballymote senior team qualified for the quarter finals of the championship when they defeated neighbours Shamrock Gaels in Tubbercurry on Saturday evening last. Ballymote started well in this game and quickly went into a three point lead with points from Peter Lyons, Dermot McTernan and Marty Underwood. Gaels failed to raise a flag in the first ten minutes and their prospects worsened when their defence failed to deal with a speculative ball and Dermot McTernan was on hand to finish to the net. Shamrock Gaels finally got off the mark with a free after fifteen minutes but Ballymote reached the break with a five point advantage on a scoreline of Ballymote 1-7, Shamrock Gaels 0-5. Ballymote dominated possession for the first five minutes of the second half but a clear goal chance and and two relatively easy point opportunities were spurned. Indeed when Gaels broke forward to record the first point of the second period the poor shooting of the Ballymote forwards looked likely to prove expensive. However with the game entering the last ten minutes Ballymote still held a four point lead and seemed on course for victory when a footblock in the Ballymote defence resulted in a penalty for the Riverstown team. There was palpable relief in the Ballymote ranks when Joe Quinn leaned back and saw his penalty attempt rise high over the crossbar. Ballymote now led by a goal and when the best move of the match ended with Michael Sweeney finishing expertly to the net the game was over as a contest. In a game where our attack seldom functioned as a unit much of the credit for this win must go to the midfield and defence. The Ballymote half-back line worked tirelessly throughout and an impressive display from corner back Kenny Feely who was on top of his game for the sixty minutes also stood out. Final score, Ballymote 2-9, Shamrock Gaels 0-9. Ballymote; J Lavin, K Feely, S Stagg, G Conlon, P Mullin, C McGowan, M Doddy, N Clancy, M Munds, P Lyons, D Tighe, M Sweeney, D McTernan, F Sexton, M Underwood, R O'Connor, C Byrne, C Stagg, G Feely, J Trautmann, K Meehan, A Henry, P Golden, M Flannery, A Caffrey, T Clancy The draw for the quarter finals means that our opponents will be Tubbercurry and is scheduled for the week-end of August 31st. Everyone in the club and especially all of his team-mates on the Senior panel wish a speedy recovery to Daniel Clark who suffered a broken bone in his hand in a recent cycling accident. Daniel has made the Ballymote number five jersey his own in recent seasons and it is now up to the team to raise their performance and so minimise the loss of Daniel's unique contribution to the team. Tweet

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