Colm Keys reporting live from the Mayo SFC final which ended in stalemate:
Frank Irwin’s equalising two-point free in the fourth minute of injury time earned champions Ballina Stephenites a reprieve in the Mayo SFC final against Westport.
The game twisted and turned dramatically a few times in the closing stages as first Westport surged three points clear, 0-15 to 0-12, after Finbar McLaughlin’s two-pointer was followed by a two-point free and a free from Killian Kilkelly to give the 2022 champions a decisive edge playing with the wind.
With their title slipping away however, Evan Regan got a touch to a Mikey Murray delivery in the Westport goalmouth for a goal and parity, setting up a grandstand finish with four minutes of extra-time called.
Luke Doherty then gave Ballina the lead before Westport rebounded with a score from a most unlikely source, a two-pointer from corner-back Brian McDermott.
When Kilkelly put Westport two points clear it looked like their second title had been secured but with wing-back David Tighe winning a free Irwin stepped up and held his nerve with a kick from just outside the arc into the wind.
Ballina had led by 0-7 to 0-0 early on before Lee Keegan got Westport off the mark on 12 minutes.
In doing so, Keegan collided with Padraig O’Hora and both players were helped off the field, playing no further role.
At half-time Ballina led by 0-9 to 0-5 but had their work cut out to earn a replay which takes place on Saturday next.