Claremorris give themselves hope in Super League relegation battle
Finian Brady of Claremorris, right, clears the ball away. Picture: John Corless
Elverys Sports Super League
Claremorris 4
Crossmolina 0
A four goal first half blitz by Claremorris ensured that the South Mayo men now have a fighting chance of avoiding the dreaded drop to the Premier Division, whilst Crossmolina’s top flight status is hanging by a thread heading into the final round of Super League fixtures.
The locals were at full-strength for this clash and they made the dream start to the tie inside the first minute. A lightning attacking foray saw Brandan Walsh set-up Mark Maloney and the latter rattled the back of the net, much to the delight of the home faithful who braved the damp and chilly autumnal weather conditions.
Crossmolina tried their best to reorganise, but a defensive mishap was ruthlessly punished by a clearly fired up Claremorris on 13 minutes. A stray pass was intercepted by Ryan McLoughlin and his slide rule pass released the scampering Maloney and seconds later the latter was celebrating both his and his team-mates second goal of the joust.
Crossmolina’s game plan was unravelling at an alarming rate and just one minute after conceding a second goal, the visitors fell three behind. Despite going 2-0 ahead, Claremorris’ hunger was evident as they continued to press from the restart and a slick move culminated in Simon Butler receiving possession and he darted towards goal before finishing with aplomb.
The Concannon Park outfit very nearly added a spectacular fourth on 20 minutes, but David McCracken’s sublime first time volley from outside the box was just inches off target.
A goal for Mick Duffy’s Crossmolina side would surely have reignited a Maroon and White comeback, and the guests did manage to craft a half-chance for the poaching Oisin Deane on 26 minutes, however, he couldn’t direct the leather on target.
This seemed to inspire the guests and one minute later another chance fell their way, this time to Richie Shelley, but under-pressure, the winger’s effort was thwarted by Keith Saunders.
The game was almost ended as a contest on 31 minutes, when McLoughlin ghosted past the visitor’s rearguard only for Sean Gallagher to produce a brilliant diving save to turn the ball around his post. And from the subsequent corner-kick, Andrew Peters was aghast to see his close-range header scream inches wide.
Crossmolina needed some respite and a chance to regroup at the break, however, a ruthless Claremorris added a morale sapping and match-clinching fourth goal on 41 minutes. A chance was conjured up for the Green and White’s busy midfielder Jason Murphy and he was coolness personified as he strode into the box and guided home a tidy finish into the back of the net.
To their credit, the plucky visitors continued to search for a goal before the break and on any other day both Oisin Deane and Kevin Campbell would have found the back of the net, but on both occasions, Keith Saunders produced outstanding saves to deny the Crossmolina duo.
Despite leading 4-0 at the interval, the Green and White were eager to further hammer home their advantage, with Morley’s scintillating strike being breathtakingly plucked from underneath his crossbar by the diving Gallagher – surely a save of the season contender.
Ten minutes later, the busy Gallagher was called into action once again as he had to advance smartly to deny McLoughlin, with the latter blazing the recycled possession over the crossbar.
Both sides were full of endeavour during the second period; however, clear-cut chances were few and far between as the game petered out to its inevitable conclusion.
Crossmolina almost pinched a consolation strike seven minutes from the end of normal time, however, substitute Mark Sheerin saw his strike saved by Saunders, with Campbell snatching the rebound wide.
Next weekend’s Super League fixtures will see plenty of drama in the bid to avoid relegation, and an action packed day of football is anticipated.
