Crossmolina collect league title

Crossmolina collect title


Division 1A
Crossmolina 2-10
Ballinrobe 0-7

Mike Finnerty
Ballinrobe

THE record books will show that Crossmolina reclaimed the Division 1A league title by virtue of their eighth victory of the campaign last Saturday evening but it took two goals in the last three minutes to secure the points at Flanagan Park.
In truth, the final scoreline flatters the winners. They played poorly for the majority of this disappointing game and never imposed their quality on a Ballinrobe side that badly missed the injured trio of Donal Vaughan, Mark Walkin and Michéal Keane.
However, well-taken goals from Cathal Carolan and sub’ Derek Hegarty in the 60th and 62nd minutes killed the match off and swept the Deel Rovers to their ninth league title — their first since 2007.
Despite being without a handful of regulars, and picking from a very depleted squad, Norman O’Brien will feel that this was a missed opportunity for Ballinrobe.
Trailing at the interval by two points, the homeside stayed within striking distance of Crossmolina for thirty minutes in the second half. Unfortunately, they were unable to draw level or get out in front as their old failings in front of goal resurfaced again.
A good save by Paul O’Donnell also denied Peter Staunton a goal that would have brought the game to life during the third quarter and a litany of shocking wides spoiled some decent approach work by the locals.
The teams traded points four times as the status quo prevailed after half-time; Brian Benson, Cathal Carolan and Ian Rowland (two frees) swopping scores with Peter Staunton (3, two frees) and Sean Burke.
That left Crossmolina ahead by 0-9 to 0-7 heading into injury-time before a point from the pacy Derek Hegarty opened the floodgates. Cathal Carolan’s brilliant finish past Kenneth O’Malley was followed by another clinical effort from Hegarty a couple of minutes later and the issue was settled.
The visitors led after a very poor first half by 0-5 to 0-3. Both sides were guilty of wasting decent scoring opportunities with Ian Rowland and Brian Benson, in particular, finding it difficult to get their radars ‘locked on’ in the greasy conditions.
At the other end, Ballinrobe goalkeeper, Kenneth O’Malley, was off target with a couple of long-range frees while a goalbound effort from Sean Burke was pushed out for a ‘45 by the agile Crossmolina goalkeeper, Paul O’Donnell.
The Deel Rovers started the match like a side intent on closing it out as quickly as possible; Brian Benson drilled over two quick-fire points (one from a free) and another free from Ian Rowland left them three up after eight minutes.
The only reason they failed to build on this advantage was wayward shooting but normal service was resumed when Cathal Carolan and Gabriel Walsh smacked over long-range points to edge them five ahead after 16 minutes.
Surprisingly, they were not to score again until the third minute of the second half.
Ballinrobe finally opened their account on 18 minutes through a Peter Staunton free and another placed ball from Sean Burke (who was introduced soon after arriving at the ground) helped to reduce the margin further.
The less said about the last ten minutes of the half the better; Crossmolina seemed to lose interest while Ballinrobe huffed and puffed without making much impact either. A ‘45 from Kenneth O’Malley on 24 minutes did mean they were still in contention though at the break.
It stayed like that for most of the second half before Crossmolina made their superior firepower count and left with the spoils of victory — their fifth league crown in ten years.

Crossmolina
P O’Donnell; R Rochford, J Keane, J O’Boyle; P Gardiner, M Leonard, S Duffy; G Walsh (0-1), P Duffy; H McLoughlin, M Gallagher, C Carolan (1-3); I Rowland (0-2, 2fs), B Benson (0-3, 1f), J Keane.
Subs used: D Syron for S Duffy; D Hegarty (1-1) for Gallagher.

Ballinrobe
K O’Malley (0-1, ‘45); E O’Malley, D Killeen, P Finnerty; R Keane, S Grimes, R McGreal; R Macken, D McDonnell; C Keane, C Killeen, D Reilly, P Staunton (0-4, 3fs), A Flannery, K McTigue.
Subs used: S Burke (0-2, 1f) for Flannery; J O’Malley for McTigue; A Flannery for Reilly; M Healy for E O’Malley.

Referee: E McAndrew (Claremorris)