Connacht club IHC semi-final: Ballyhaunis advance past Oran

A pitch under floodlights.
©INPHO/Donall Farmer.

Ballyhaunis made it through to their second Connacht club intermediate hurling championship final in three years following a 1-12 to 0-8 victory over Oran tonight.

Played in front of a crowd of over 1,000 at the Connacht GAA Centre, a goal from Keith Higgins eight minutes from the end ultimately sealed the issue.

The Mayo three-in-a-row winners now advance to face Ahascragh-Fohenagh of Galway in the decider which takes place in Athleague next Sunday.

Roscommon champions Oran trailed by the minimum at the break, 0-8 to 0-7, having led just once in the game, 0-4 to 0-3 after Jerry Fallon's pointed free on 10 minutes.

However, with dual star Higgins in top form, Ballyhaunis outscored their opponents by 1-4 to 0-1 in the second period to ensure a comfortable success in Bekan.

Both sides finished the contest with 14 men after James Lyons (Ballyhaunis) and Darragh McCormack (Oran) were both shown straight red cards late on.