Knockmore cruise to big league win

MAYO SFL DIVISION 1A

Knockmore were clear and deserving winners of the top of the table clash with Aghamore on Saturday evening in Ballina. The 4-14 to 0-9 scoreline clearly illustrated the gap between the sides in the sunshine of James Stephens Park, but Aghamore were a pale shadow of themselves and will surely be a different proposition when the sides meet in the championship later in the season.

Knockmore dominated the first half and were 12 points clear at the interval, leading 3-6 to 0-3. Goals from Liam Durcan, Caolan Hopkins and Charlie Bourke helped the hosts to their big lead as Aghamore struggled to make any impression at the other end. Two frees from Darren Duffy and a point from play from Conor Hunt was all the guests had on their score-sheet at the break, but they were better in the early moments of the second half.

The men in white and red kicked four points in five minutes but any hopes of a revival were banished when Hopkins lashed home another Knockmore goal. That ended the game as a contest and with Kieran King and Aaron Timlin ruling the roost around the middle and Mayo forward Aiden Orme handling a lot of possession, the men in saffron and blue played as they pleased.

Hopkins hit the crossbar when he looked to complete his hat-trick in the fourth quarter but there was no stopping the league leaders and they cruised to a clear and deserved win at the final whistle.

A full match report and after-match reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.