Crossmolina edge closer to Paddy Moclair with big win over Belmullet

Crossmolina Deel Rovers 1-24

Belmullet 0-13

In Crossmolina

Crossmolina Deel Rovers are on a roll.

Since capturing the Sweeney Cup, they have been on a mission to create history by going back-to-back and adding the Mayo Senior Championship to their haul one season on.

Today, they took the next major step on that journey by banishing Belmullet, traitors-style, and sending out yet another statement (as if it was needed) that they are a side to be feared.

Benson’s Babes were ravenous in every way against Belmullet. They were pacy, diligent, and showed all the hallmarks of a side with every tool in their arsenal to reach the holy grail.

They were at it from the start and tore into their North Mayo comrades.

After patient build-up, Dylan Flynn edged the hosts ahead within 90 seconds. Moments later, Kobe McDonald added insult to injury when his two-point placed ball sailed between the uprights.

Belmullet were four down before they had a shot in anger as Ryan O’Donoghue clapped back with an orange flag of his own.

Those small reprieves were too few and far between for the men in red and white, and the Cross rearguard was watertight.

In the middle, though, they were top rate, and Jordan Flynn was excellent. He was lording the skies, and he had a point to show for his efforts. He could have opted for the major, but went sensible by fisting over.

Oisín Deane also fisted over, before a booming effort from Flynn’s midfield compatriot McDonald had the gap out to six.

The wind Belmullet were playing into was a solid enough one, but they needed to show more. However, they couldn’t manage to make any sort of dent in Crossmolina's armour.

At the other end, the men from the shores of the Deel kept plugging away.

After 27 minutes, awesome Flynn fielding led to McDonald feeding Oisín Deane, hell bent on rattling the onion bag. However, his effort was straight at Shane Nallen.

That didn't halt the home momentum. Deane, Dylan Flynn, a Jordan Flynn two-pointer, and another McDonald effort had the gap out to eleven before inter-county ace O’Donoghue ended an 18-minute drought.

Gary Boylan raised the third point of the day for the travelling soldiers, but they had it all to do as they headed for the dressing room ten behind.

Belmullet’s forwards, spearheaded by Ryan O’Donoghue, tried to take the fight to their quarter-final adversaries, but they were subsiding on scraps all day long.

The hunger which the All-Ireland Intermediate kings brought to the party was regal in itself.

Sean Óg McGuinness got on the end of a delightful sweeping move to start the half on the right foot.

Anthony Barrett did offer some relief from the torrent, but it was just that, a brief reprieve.

James Maheady and Conor Loftus kept raising the watermark inch by inch, and Belmullet were drowning.

The prime example of the ferocity on show was when Niall Coggins flung himself at a loose ball. His bravery ended up in a Deane point at the clubhouse end.

When Kobe McDonald capped a virtuoso display with a goal the Belmullet goose was cooked.

They did reel off four scores in succession, including a Shane Nallen two-pointer, but there was no hope.

The recently introduced Fionan Duffy showed his accuracy to further hammer home the Crossmolina superiority.

By the time the full-time whistle went and the young Crossmolina faithful swarmed their heroes, the tie was long decided.

The glory days keep coming for Crossmolina. Who knows where it may take them?

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