Claremorris boost Super League survival hopes with impressive win over Crossmolina

Mayo Super League

Claremorris 4
Maloney 1 McLoughlin 13, Butler 15, Murphy 42

Crossmolina 0

In Concannon Park

Claremorris needed a result in this match to avoid immediate relegation to the Premier League. They got the result in a most emphatic fashion on Sunday morning. They were hungrier and more physical than their fellow strugglers, and if they put out this team, and played like this, every week, they’d be in the top four.

The first goal is always significant in any match; in bottom of the table six-pointers, it is vital. Teams at the bottom are usually brittle and when man-of-the match, Mark Maloney, put Claremorris in front in the first minute, it was always going to be tough for Crossmolina.

When Ryan McLoughlin got the second after an unforced Crossmolina error less than a quarter of an hour in, the game was over. Two minutes later, Simon Butler scored a fine individual goal to make it three, and Jason Murphy completed the scoring three minutes before half-time. Crossmolina had no answer and despite a good patch before half-time – they never looked like scoring.

Claremorris now face Manulla - who were heavily defeated by Westport United - next weekend, and if they win that, they will probably stay in this division.

A full report plus reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News Sport.