Westport United win ends title race

Westport win ends the title race


Westport Utd 2
Broderick 4 (OG), Scahill 72

Claremorris 1
Ryan 51

Colin McDonagh
Westport

WESTPORT United overcame the challenge of Claremorris at the Sports Park on Saturday evening last to end south Mayo side’s chances of winning the Super League.
The Covies’ own (even slimmer) chance of title glory ended with Castlebar Celtic’s emphatic victory over Iorras, but they extended their unbeaten run to eight games in the league. Going into the final weekend of the season, Westport know a home win over Ballina Town will secure them the runners-up spot.
United burst out of the traps early on and on four minutes they took a deserved lead, albeit with a goal that had an air of good fortune about it. Vinny O’Malley collected the ball on the halfway line and he found Austin O’Malley on the far touchline. A quick ball released Alan Carroll down the left. He crossed for David Cameron, who squared the ball across the face of goal before the unfortunate Danny Broderick turned the ball into his own net.
Moments later it could and probably should have been 2-0. Carroll found Cameron again and his cross put the ball on a plate for Phil Keegan, but the ball somehow managed to roll under his foot and away to safety.
It was a huge let-off for the visitors, who had to win to keep their title hopes alive. They created a good chance when a loose ball found its way to Nicky Pilbrow but it came at a difficult height for him and he blazed over Gary Cunningham’s crossbar.
Then came probably the most audacious effort of the season when the ball popped up to Vinny O’Malley 40 yards from goal. The Westport front-man decided to have a go on the volley and he was desperately unlucky as Claremorris ’keeper Alvin McCallig managed to tip the ball over his crossbar to ensure his side were still in the game at half time.
Whatever was said in the Claremorris dressing room must have worked, as the visitors began the second half with the bit between their teeth. They had a penalty shout turned down when Brian Gallagher went down in the box after coming together with Martin Geraghty, but their frustration lifted six minutes into the second half. A long throw in by Gallagher found the head of Paul Ryan, whose glancing header flew into the bottom corner.
Claremorris now were playing much better, and Westport’s Joe Lawless nearly turned a good cross from Broderick into his own net. Broderick then hit the bar with a spectacular effort from 25 yards as Claremorris grew in confidence.
However, Westport soon settled down and after 72 minutes they took the lead in some style. Young winger Alan Carroll went on a mazy run before being taken down. Danny Scahill stepped up to take the free kick and fired the ball into the bottom corner.
United’s Darren Hoban then set up tenacious midfielder Pat Fitzgerald, who fired narrowly over. Claremorris had a real chance in the closing stages when former Galway United player Derek Glynn was played through on goal. Gary Cunningham came outside his box and took down the striker. The away side appealed for a red card, but after consultation with his assistant Jimmy Cawley, referee Michael McCay showed the goalkeeper yellow. Broderick took the subsequent free kick, but Cunningham redeemed himself with a fine save.
Westport dealt comfortably with late Claremorris pressure to ensure that second place is in their own hands – and the title is going to Castlebar

Westport United
G Cunningham, J Smith, A O’Malley, J Lawless, M Geraghty, A Carroll, D Scahill, P Fitzgerald, D Cameron, V O’Malley, P Keegan.
Subs used: D Hoban for Carroll; R McLoughlin for V O’Malley.

Claremorris
A McCallig, C Heffernan, D Broderick, J Duggan, N Kitching, M Gallagher, P Ryan, D Grant, D Glynn, B Gallagher, N Pilbrow.
Subs used: R Quirke for M Gallagher; M Doble for Heffernan; J Glynn for Ryan.

Referee: M McCay