Knockmore hold their nerve against Charlestown
Hot favourites have to dig deep to reach Mayo senior championship semi-final
Mayo Senior Club Championship
Quarter-Final
Knockmore. 0-13
Charlestown 0-9
KNOCKMORE showed their experience down the stretch to survive a stern Charlestown test after a white hot Mayo SFC quarter-final in torrential conditions in Claremorris on Saturday evening.
Two late points from Kevin McLoughlin and Peter Naughton were enough to secure victory for Aidan Kilcoyne and John Brogan's men after a tight and cagey affair.
Underdogs Charlestown produced a brilliantly brave second half performance, and although they were able to close the gap to just a singular point at two seperate stages, just could not quite find an equaliser.
A black card to substitute David Caffrey in the last quarter also proved costly at a time when Stephen Healy's team were in the ascendancy.
Knockmore were much the better side in the opening half and led by 0-8 to 0-3 at half time, with dazzling scores from the outstanding duo of Aidan Orme and Darren McHale.
With a very strong wind intensifying during the second half, Charlestown mounted a superb comeback, and kicked four in a row in the opening ten minutes.
But Knockmore kept them at arm's length with four second half frees from Peter Naughton.
Although Paul Towey would reduce the gap to two with five minutes remaining, Knockmore kept their cool and saw the game out in expert fashion.
There will be a full match report along with reaction from Knockmore joint manager John Brogan in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.