Division 1A
Crossmolina 0-17
Claremorris 1-9
Austin Garvin
Claremorris
A YOUNG and energetic Crossmolina team proved too good for Claremorris in an entertaining Division 1A league game played at Canon Gibbons Memorial Park on Sunday last.
Many of the big-name players that served the Deel Rovers so well in the past may have departed the scene, but the distinctive style so reminiscent of the club’s glory days certainly lives on.
This latest version we witnessed on Sunday evening looked exciting as they threw the ball around with abandon. In doing so they served due notice to all and sundry that they could have a say before the destination of the Moclair Cup is decided later on in the year.
The football played by John Maughan and Stephen Rochford’s team was a joy to watch as many of their attacks started in defence and finished at the other end of the field. They were very comfortable on the ball, with the player in possession always supported by a well-placed colleague.
Claremorris too played quite well without matching the support play or flair of the winners and it was only at the very end that they lost touch with the destination of the points. However, they didn’t help their cause as they were guilty of giving away valuable possession needlessly throughout the hour.
It was very much a case of Crossmolina dictating the trend and the pace of the game with Claremorris reacting throughout.
In addition to their fine teamwork and cohesiveness, Crossmolina had in full-forward Brian Benson an outstanding marksman. He contributed eight points in total (five from play) and proved an elusive presence throughout the hour.
Gabriel Walsh, too did very well at midfield, particularly in the first half, and he certainly did his bit to ensure the Deel Rovers forward line enjoyed a good share of the possession.
The game was finely poised after fifteen minutes at 0-4 each. However, Crossmolina were finding scores much easier to come by as Claremorris had to work much harder for theirs.
Brian Benson (2), an impressive Ian Rowland and Sean Kelly had provided the Crossmolina scores at that juncture with David Egan, Tomás Griffin, Shane Meehan and Brian Gallagher replying for the home side.
The Deel Rovers quickly extended their lead with three quick points in succession from the mercurial Benson. Claremorris then switched full-back Paddy Navin and Sean Prendergast in a bid to curb his influence on the game.
Crossmolina had edged into a 0-9 to 0-5 lead when Shane Prendergast did well to hold off two defenders before finding the net just before half-time. All of a sudden the visitors lead was cut to the bare minimum as the half time whistle sounded.
Crossmolina quickly re-established a foothold on the game after the interval with Ian Rowland and Cathal Carolan adding points. Just as quickly, Brian Gallagher and Shane Meehan (free) hit two for Claremorris.
This trend continued with the visitors always looking the more likely to garner the valuable points as they led by 0-14 to 1-9 with ten minutes left to play. They copper-fastened their hold on the game as they hit the three final points of the evening from Gabriel Walsh and Brian Benson (2). In between, Claremorris goalkeeper Alvin McCallig denied the winners a goal with a brilliant save.
Crossmolina
C Reilly; R Rochford, J Keane, D Syron; S Duffy, M Leonard, D Keating; P Duffy, G Walsh (0-1); M Gallagher, S Kelly (0-2), D Hegarty; I Rowland (0-3, 1f), B Benson (0-8, 3fs), C Carolan (0-2).
Subs used: P Gardiner (0-1); J Cafferty; J Keane.
Claremorris
A McCallig; D Griffith, P Navin, B Fahey; P Ring, Sean Prendergast, A Feeley; B Gallagher (0-2), D Egan (0-1); Shane Prendergast (1-0), M Gallagher (0-1), L Feeley; T Griffin (0-1), C Griffith, S Meehan (0-3, 2fs).
Subs used: A Healy (0-1) and D Finn.
Referee: J Hughes (Kilmaine).
