Triumphant weekend of sport for Ballinasloe

IT was a most productive weekend of sport for Ballinasloe as the town experienced great success in both soccer and Gaelic football. Ballinasloe GAA Club is celebrating after reaching the 2013 All-Ireland Junior Football Championship final after beating Port Mor of Armagh in the semi-final in Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan on Sunday, triumphing on the day by 2-7 to 0-10. Ballinasloe failed to score for the final 28 minutes of the game but goals from Padraic Cunningham (a penalty) and Michael Colohan had given them a 2-5 to 0-4 interval cushion. Port Mor's had corner-forward Christopher Lennon sent-off in the 27th minute for a second booking. Ballinasloe now await the winners of the Castleknock v Kenmare replay, after they drew their semi-final. Meanwhile, back in Ballinasloe, the town's senior soccer team progressed to the last 16 of the Umbro FAI Junior Cup by beating Castlebar Celtic 2-0 at the Curragh Grounds (see full report in this week's Westmeath Independent).