Charlestown refuse to leave

Charlestown refuse to leave the stage

Crossmolina     1-12
Charlestown       2-9

Mike Finnerty

NOW this was more like it. A game that lived up to its billing, was nothing but fast and furious from start to finish, and everybody left calling for more at the final whistle.
Having been level on eight occasions, it seemed wholly approriate that the match should end in a draw, Paul Mulligan’s free in the 65th minute leaving the sides deadlocked.
There was little between them all through and even when Crossmolina opened up a four-point lead during the third quarter, they were reeled back in within minutes.
It was that sort of game; every action drew a reaction and the large crowd had no shortage of drama or incident.
The story of the match itself is easily told. Charlestown played with confidence and style (as always) early on and with Tony Mulligan’s pace and size causing Tom Nallen problems, the champions fell 0-4 to 0-2 behind after sixteen minutes.
Crossmolina settled into their stride eventually though and four points in quick succession had them 0-6 to 0-4 clear by the 24th minute as Stephen Rochford, Joe Keane and Brian Benson began to motor.
Rochford and Benson (3) were the point-scorers as Enda Lavelle, James Nallen and Mark Leonard started to put the squeeze on out the field.
However, the game lurched in a different direction on 27 minutes when Ollie Conway’s garryowen was plucked from the air by the totemic Tony Mulligan, and he lashed a thunderous shot to the net past Paul O’Donnell.
The teams headed to the dressing-room on level terms after Peadar Gardiner nipped in to chip over the equaliser in the 30th minute.
Referee Declan Corcoran had to summon Crossmolina from the dressing-room in order to get the game restarted, but their arrival was certainly worth waiting for.
A neat and tidy move inside the first minute that involved sub’ Michael Moyles, Peadar Gardiner and Joe Keane ended with Stephen Rochford smacking the ball past a couple of Charlestown defenders for a crucial goal.
Crossmolina were back in front and received a further boost in the 38th minute when David Tiernan was sent off in sensational circumstances.
The veteran Charlestown midfielder was booked twice in the space of thirty seconds (first for dissent and then for a high challenge on James Nallen).
Tiernan’s departure coincided with Ciaran McDonald converting a free that left Crossmolina 1-9 to 1-5 clear with twenty minutes remaining and the smart money would surely have been on the champions.
However, a rescue mission was launched immediately by Charlestown. Moments later a perceptive pass from the hard-working Ollie Conway released Martin Mulvaney in behind the cover, and the wing-forward’s finish was emphatic, low and hard past O’Donnell.
The Sarsfields showed great resolve to level the match inside sixty seconds as Paul Mulligan availed of a simple free.
Crossmolina were unable to close the game out and even when substitute, Gabriel Walsh, fired over an inspirational lead score in the 43rd minute, chances to stretch the margin were missed.
Their decision to use Tom Nallen as the ‘extra man’ allowed Charlestown to get on the ball out the field, and with Aidan Higgins, Tom Parsons and Mark Caffrey beginning to step up to the plate, the last quarter was compelling.
Thirteen scoreless minutes flew by before Charlestown drew a foul on the right wing and the flawless free-taker, Richie Haran, swung over the equaliser. It was the sixth time the sides were locked together.
Crossmolina stuck to their game-plan (as is their wont) and, sure enough, earned a free that Ciaran McDonald sent flying between the posts from 50 yards to nudge them back in front.
The response from the challengers was predictablly swift; sub’ Michael Divilly running at the Crossmolina backline and being fouled, Richie Haran doing what he does best to tie the game up once more.
A draw looked nailed on at this stage but there was still time for a hero to emerge. Stephen Rochford is playing the football of his life these days and it was his opportunism and accuracy in the 63rd minute that saw Crossmolina nick the lead.
A quick free from McDonald released the corner-forward, and despite the arrival of John Casey (a long way from his goal-line), Rochford’s finish was inch-perfect.
Crossmolina looked like they had done it again but Charlestown broke back downfield on one last raid. Tony Mulligan was grounded close to goal and his brother, Paul, curled over the free to settle an enthralling match.