Ballina Stephenites in control from the off as they defend Mayo crown

Ballina Stephenites 1-12 Knockmore 0-08

Ballina Stephenites defended their Mayo SFC title impressively as they cruised to a comfortable victory over their neighbours at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park on Saturday evening.

An early goal from former Mayo attacker Evan Regan set the Stephenites on their way to a 38th Mayo senior crown and they never looked like being beaten from there to the end.

Knockmore badly missed the suspended Pearse Ruttledge and never got going while Ballina were boosted by the return from injury of both Padraig O'Hora and Mikey Murray.

O’Hora produced a player of the match performance despite being forced to leave the field for a spell during the second half due to injury.

Knockmore’s dreams of winning a third Moclair Cup in the space of five seasons were dashed by their near-neighbours.

This defeat was a repeat of the result of the decider two decades earlier when Ballina also came out on top in the local derby.

Niall Heffernan’s Stephenites team dominated the opening half and they deservedly led by 1-06 to 0-03 at the interval.

Their goal arrived on nine minutes from Evan Regan who struck a brilliant shot past Mayo netminder Colm Reape to leave the champions ahead by 1-02 to 0-00.

Early frees from Frank Irwin and Regan had eased them ahead and the early goal gave them a cushion that they never relinquished.

Caolan Hopkins opened Knockmore’s account on 11 minutes but they were always chasing their rivals despite good scores from Keith Ruttledge and Aidan Orme.

Sam Callinan, Evan Regan (free), Seán Regan and Frank Irwin (free) all hit the target to put the holders in a commanding position at the halfway mark.

Ballina continued to press home their advantage after the restart as scores from Conor McStay and