Knockmore breeze past Kilmovee to secure semi-final spot

LGFA - MAYO SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Knockmore 6-11

Kilmovee 2-6

In Knockmore

Knockmore once again put in a spellbinding showing in St Joseph’s Park when they recorded a thorough and impressive win over Kilmovee in their Mayo Senior Championship clash on Sunday morning.

Stephen Sweeney’s troops were imperious from first minute to last, and a hat-trick within five minutes and 23 seconds from the irrepressible Amy O’Connor secured their place in the knockout stages as they continue on their path to return to the summit.

This was nothing short of exemplary from the hosts.

They pressed ferociously early on to build a commanding lead, absorbed any pressure that came their way at the other end, and went about their business in the way all super sides do, to send out a statement to all comers, including the reigning champions, Westport.

The saffron sisters had their first major before the three minute mark, when Clodagh Keane fed O’Connor, who rifled into the roof of the net. Within 60 seconds, she had her second, coolly firing under the outstretched Elaine Duffy.

Hannah Reape added to her single from the previous week with another, before the ever-dangerous O’Connor had her third, snaffling up a Duffy save from Keane’s rasper to make it a ten-point swing before the ninth minute.

The Shamrocks, to their credit, rallied after a nightmare opening for them, and Lisa Cafferky boomed over to open her side’s account, before Shauna Golden notched a fine effort.

After Sinead Cafferky converted a well-taken spot-kick, Sunday’s visitors were briefly back in the mix.

Knockmore kept on tipping despite being in a spot of bother at the other end, and Sarah Mulvihill and Lara Sweeney put the lead out to seven again.

A fine Saerlaith Dillon score had the chasm narrowed to six, and Shamrocks kept the pressure on after the changeover, as Lisa Cafferky knocked over a single.

At the other end was where the hassle was, though, as the Kilmovee net was breached again.

Once again, Clodagh Keane was the provider, as she sent Mulvihill through, and she gratefully obliged.

Lara Sweeney kept the scoreboard ticking with placed balls, and Reape tagged on another.

After 41 minutes, O’Connor had her fourth goal, with the ever-wily Keane the provider once more.

Shauna Golden and Lise Cafferky raised white flags as they endeavoured to drag Kilmovee back into a game that was fast getting away, but an on-fire O’Connor was not for letting up.

Soon, she had her fifth net-shaker.

Sinead Cafferky converted her second penalty of the day, while at the other end, sub ‘keeper Meabh Lavin had to be at her best to repel Keane.

Soon she had her two points to go alongside an excellent performance.

At the end, the gap stood at 17, and Knockmore stood tall as they kept on marching that path to redemption.

A full report, plus reaction, will be carried in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News