Crossmolina cruise to Connacht intermediate final
Mayo intermediate champions Crossmolina see off 14-man St Michael’s of Galway to reach Connacht final
CONNACHT IFC CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL
Crossmolina 2-13 St Michael’s 1-7
In Castlebar
A second-half collapse from St Michael’s was instrumental in Crossmolina reaching the intermediate provincial final this afternoon.
The injury-stricken Galway champions failed to score in the second half - which they played with 14 men - as an impressive Crossmolina booked a final meeting with Elphin of Roscommon in Dr Hyde Park next weekend.
Conor Loftus and the Coggins brothers were among the Mayo champions’ standout performers as Brian Benson’s men saw the second half out with little trouble.
Crossmolina began the game brightly when the excellent Niall Coggins struck the net after three minutes.
The Deelsiders were 2-2 to 0-1 up after 11 minutes when the equally impressive Conor Loftus poked home a goal as St Michael’s looked to be in freefall.
The Galway city side then shot back with 1-5 on the spin to lead for the first time.
James Maheady levelled for Crossmolina before Brian Harlowe put the Galway men back in front.
St Michael’s then lost key forward Gary Higgins to a controversial straight red card just before half-time, after which they failed to score.
The Mayo men shot ten points in a solid second half as a wasteful St Michael’s let the game slip from their grasp.
A full report plus reaction from Brian Benson and Conor Loftus will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.