Crossmolina capture first Mayo Minor A title in 33 years

A long 33-year wait came to an end in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park on Saturday night when Crossmolina captured Minor A honours after a rip-roaring final against Westport. The final scoreline of 2-17 to 2-14 shows how little there was between the teams on a wild and windy night under lights.

The two sides have shared many classic underage finals over the years and once again, the young footballers from both clubs left everything on the pitch.

Westport were backed by the breeze in the opening half, but couldn't pull away from their opponents. A goal from Ben Holmes was Westport's best moment of the opening 30 minutes as they kicked 1-6 and Crossmolina replied with nine points.

Crossmolina powered clear in the third quarter and led by 2-13 to 1-9 as the game turned for home. It seemed done and dusted at that stage, but Westport refused to fade away.

They dragged themselves back into it and with just three minutes to play the gap was back to two points as excitement levels knew no bounds.

It seemed as if Crossmolina's big lead would be wiped out as Westport came looking for scores but the boys from the Deel settled themselves. They swept up the pitch for Oisin Deane to kick a crucial point and amid scenes of wild delight captured the fourth Mayo Minor A title in their history to go alongside the crowns won in 1984, '92 and '93.

A full report will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.