Deel Rovers return

Deel Rovers book their ticket to last eight

SFC Section b
Crossmolina0-14
Knockmore2-5

Seán Rice
Knockmore

BEFORE they knew what hit them, Knockmore were struggling to cope with brisk, businesslike Crossmolina. But with traditional zest, they inched their way back into the game, and the largest attendance at a championship match this season was treated to an exciting finale.
In the end, Crossmolina deserved their three-point margin of victory at Knockmore. Better balanced, and more organised, they oozed confidence, and the speed with which they built up a seven-point lead in the opening 15 minutes left their opponents stunned.
But once they settled, Knockmore commenced to cobble a respectable recovery. They weren’t expected to be at their best, having lost three of the side they had been building during the league, and also without their Mayo star Trevor Howley who has been sidelined with injury.
Yet the second half was no more than five minutes old when, characteristically, they delivered a riposte that sowed seeds of temporary doubt in their opponents, forcing them to call on all of their craft and wisdom to survive.
It was a test that could stand Crossmolina well in the games ahead. Their brilliance in the opening quarter left you breathless. Ciaran McDonald, James Nallen, and Peadar Gardiner, sprayed the wings with passes and the forwards revelled in riches.
Nallen and Henry McLoughlin motored merrily at midfield. McDonald and Benson opened the scoring. Michael Moyles and Joe Keane piled on further points, and before the 15th minute ticked over Benson and Paul McGuinness had brought their lead to seven – without a squeak from the home side.
Little signs of a Knockmore stir began to appear in the second quarter. Kieran Langan and Andrew Keane at midfield drew confidence from Damien Munnelly’s two opening points. The corner forward and Aidan Kilcoyne added a further brace, but more to the point, the stubborn resistance of Kenny Corcoran and John Brogan confined the Deel Rovers to a single point during that period.
It could have been worse. Only the upright and good covering by Derek Butler denied McDonald what would have been a spectacularly fisted goal from a cross by Benson in the 28th minute. A goal would have killed off the game there and then. Instead, for all their dominance, only four points separated them 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval. McDonald reinforced that lead after the break and Benson, in fine form, drew a splendid save from Derek Butler.
But just before Crossmolina were about to consolidate their win, Aidan Kilcoyne won possession on the left wing, cut in towards goal and delivered sweetly to Gerry Higgins, who set up Graham O’Hora for a shot into the corner of the net.
Benson replied impressively almost immediately with a point. But five minutes later, Kilcoyne was hacked down, and Munnelly confidently tucked the resultant penalty into the top left corner of the net. For the first time the scores were level.
Knockmore did have chances to edge ahead, but the scent of victory forced them into some hasty and erratic shooting. At the other end Crossmolina were coolness personified. Gardiner, splendidly speedy again, Stephen Rochford and Jonathon O’Boyle slapped up the barriers in defence. James Nallen’s craft at midfield, McDonald’s accuracy and the industry of Michael Moyles combined to suffocate Knockmore’s brave resurgence.
Sub Seán Kelly and McDonald steered Cross back into a two-point lead and while Munnelly pulled back one for Knockmore, McDonald and Moyles ensured victory with clinching points.

Crossmolina
P O’Donnell; S Duffy, C Reilly, T Nallen; S Rochford, P Gardiner, J O’Boyle; H McLoughlin (0-1), J Nallen; M Moyles (0-2), C McDonald (0-5, 1f), C Carolan; P McGuinness (0-1), J Keane (0-2), B Benson (0-3). Subs used: S Kelly for B Benson; E Lavelle for J Keane.
 Knockmore
D Butler; S McHale, D Sweeney, J Brogan; P Coleman, K McLoughlin, K Corcoran; K Langan, A Keane; G O’Hora (1-0), A Butler, A Kilcoyne (0-1); C Butler, G Higgins, D Munnelly (1-4, 2f).
Subs used: P Clarke for A Butler; A Statler for G O’Hora.

Referee: J Hughes (Kilmaine)