Mayo champions survive battle of the Boyle to advance for Connacht final

CONNACHT LGFA CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL

Boyle 0-10

Knockmore 1-8

In Boyle

THERE were frantic scenes in the final moments. Knockmore were defending their one-point lead passionately. Boyle had two attempts to level the score and force extra-time. But both efforts went wide and the Mayo champions survived by the skin of their teeth.

Not the best performance this year from Knockmore. But they ground out a win by the smallest of margins. In the entire second half, Knockmore couldn’t register a single score from open play.

Only three frees, scored from captain Lara Sweeney were eventually enough to get them over the line and set up a Connacht decider with kingpins Kilkerrin Clonberne next weekend.

In a match, where Knockmore struggled to find any space inside, one moment of magic proved decisive. In the 25 th minute, midfielder Sarah Mulvihill finally found full forward Clodagh Keane.

The Mayo attacker found herself alone in front of the goal. She stayed calm and composed, her finish from close range nudged Knockmore ahead. Half-time score: Knockmore 1-5 Boyle 0-4.

Defensively, Knockmore might take positives from this encounter. For long spells of the sixty minutes, they made Boyle work extremely hard for every score.

But on the other hand, the Roscommon team had Saoirse Wynne playing sweeper. She was everywhere. Wynne intercepted passes, turned opponents over, tackled. And Knockmore ball carriers couldn’t get past her.

And up front, Aisling Feely scored 0-5 to keep Boyle in the mix.

Top scorer for Knockmore was Sweeney 0-5, Shauna Howley contributed further 0-2. Emily and Hannah Reape, as well as Roisín Flynn battled tirelessly in the middle of the pitch.

The team managed by Frank Mulvihill rarely found their rhythm. But not being at their best and still winning matches is the sign of a quality team. Especially as Knockmore had to do without the services of Nina McVann.

Amy O’Connor could have prevented a nervy finish, as her strike rattled the crossbar with only a minute to go. But in general, O’Connor was kept quiet all afternoon.

For the Connacht final next week, Knockmore will have to be at their best though, if they want to break Kilkerrin Clonberne’s stranglehold on the provincial title. The Galway outfit breezed past Glencar-Manorhamilton on an impressive score line of 3-13 to 0-7.

A full match report will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.