A massive '45 into the teeth of the wind from 'keeper Alan Keane proved to be the pivotal score as Galway's Killererin overcame (0-9 to 1-5) Ballintubber (Mayo) in their Connnacht club championship contest at Tuam Stadium.

The former All-Ireland winning goalkeeper saw his booming shot go all the way over the bar seven minutes from time to make all the difference.

Ballintubber have only themselves to blame though for falling short as they went an amazing 34 minutes without scoring before Alan Dillon's point three minutes from time left just a single point between the sides.

Despite having to play without talisman Padraic Joyce, the Galway men still possessed enough guile and craft to see off the challenge of the surprise Mayo championship winners.

That said, Ballintubber looked well positioned to cause another upset when they led by 1-4 to 0-6 at the interval - having played against the wind.

The losers' goal came around after Gary Dillon was hauled down after eight minutes and Padraig O'Connor expertly slotted home the spot kick.

Ballintubber failed miserably though to consolidate their half-time lead and, instead, it was the would-be winners who proceeded to play the best football of the second half.

Killererin's ability to hold onto possession and make the most of their raids forward was hugely significant on the restart.

Tom Hughes burst forward to level matters four minutes into the second half and then the unerring Nicky Joyce (who hit 0-5 in total) kicked another free two minutes later to edge them in front - a lead they never lost.

Killererin - A Keane (0-1 a 45); D Flaherty, C Forde, D Kelly; I Reddington, D Manion, T Fahy; T Joyce, T Hughes (0-2); T Flynn, N Joyce (0-5, four frees), J Keane; M Boyle, J Hughes, G Butler (0-1). Subs: T Wilson for J Hughes (37 mins).

Ballintubber - B Walsh; G Loftus, G Hallinan, P Earley; D Larkin, T Earley, R O'Connor; D Geraghty, J Gibbons (0-1); G Dillon, A Dillon (0-2 frees), A Plunkett; M Nestor, P O'Connor (1-2, pen one free), C O'Connor. Substitutes: D Coleman for G Dillon (45 mins), D McGing for A Plunkett (53 mins)

Ref: H Beirne Tweet

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