Garrymore beat Claremorris by a point in South Mayo derby

Mayo Senior Football League Division 1B

Garrymore 1-11 Claremorris 1-10

In Garrymore

THERE was no quarter spared Garrymore outlasted a testing encounter in which their town rivals failed to equalize with the last kick of the game.

In the end, the angle was too tight for James McCormack to restore parity as the hosts promptly rejoiced at the full-time whistle which heralded a long-awaited victory over their local rivals. 

The game ebbed and flowed and produced its fair share of cards, but there was no telling for certain who was going to win. 

An early goal from the ever-impressive Trevor Nally was like a stone in Claremorris's shoe. However, that did not stop the guests knocking over six points before the break. 

It wasn't the highest-scoring game, but the hits and belts were frequent and full-blood and the goal chances were regular as Garrymore led by 1-4 to 0-6 at the break.

Claremorris, though solid throughout, kicked far too many wides and saw Aaron Hughes (2), Darren Quinn (2), Mark Gibbons, and Trevor Nally hit six on the spin to take a six-point lead in the final ten minutes. 

The visitors then set up a dramatic finale when James McCormack finished a fine team goal before Matthew McCormack and Paul Gilmore pointed to cut the gap to the minimum. 

There were three yellow cards and a red dished out in the closing stages, which climaxed when Claremorris won a free after Trevor Nally was controversially denied a free kick at the other end.

James McCormack kicked the ball wide, the final whistle sounded and Garrymore smiled and back-slapped with glee.

A full report plus reaction from Kieran Fitzgerald and Trevor Nally will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.