Easy as 1-2-3 for Rian as ‘Port pip the Rovers
Rian Durkin of Westport, who was the game's top scorer, shoots for the posts.
A resolute Westport edged a gripping encounter on Wednesday evening last as the Blue and Navy secured some coveted silverware. Westport’s penchant for two-pointers proved decisive in the end and they notched four two-pointers during the first-half, which proved to be a vital part of their victory over Crossmolina, their big rivals over recent years.
Rian Durkin’s contribution of one goal, two two-pointers, and three singles was decisive on the evening in Parke, to where a large attendance had flocked.
Barely two minutes had elapsed when Michael McDonnell guided over a superb long-range free from off the ground, much to the delight of the Westport supporters. But Crossmolina were soon up and running as a break eventually found its way to Kobe McDonald on five minutes and he forced the umpire to reach for the white-flag after striking over a terrific point from distance.
The first two-pointer of the joust was notched by Jack O’Malley on six minutes and when his Westport teammate Ethan McGing garnered a single, the Coveys were in front by three points. However, a gutsy Crossmolina bounced back and two points from McDonald, including a ’45, and one from Josh Moyles, ensured that parity was restored by the 13th minute at 0-4 apiece.
Westport’s Rian Durkin was in excellent form during the game and the full-forward would go on to have a big say in the outcome of the spoils. Durkin’s gem of a two-point free towards the end of the opening quarter was warmly greeted by the West Mayo side’s supporters.
Patrick Mulligan pointed on 22 minutes but the Westport response was impressive as their midfielder Michael McDonnell’s scud missile long-range point forced the umpire to reach for the orange flag.
Kobe McDonald produced a busy display for the North Mayo side and his sliced point reduced the arrears to two points. But Westport continued to utilise the new rules and a monstrous two-pointer from their energetic full-forward Durkin on 25 minutes, helped garner a four point cushion for his team.
Crossmolina, though, ended the half on a positive note and white-flagged efforts from McDonald and Josh Moyles eroded the deficit, with Westport leading 0-10 to 0-8 during the half-time pep-talks.
The Maroon and White made a positive start to the second period with Luke Williams teeing-up Oisín Deane who skied a well-taken point. However, the Crossmolina game-plan received a major set-back on 36 minutes when Kobe McDonald, a hugely influential presence at centre-forward, received a black card.
Westport upped the tempo and a long-range point from O’Malley was the prelude to the opening goal of the joust on 39 minutes. Westport substitute Elcmar O’Toole saw his goal attempt blocked but the ricocheting ball fell into the path of Durkin and the latter finished with panache.
Trailing by five points, Crossmolina tried to retrieve the situation and a well-taken ’45 by Dylan Flynn delighted their supporters.
Westport’s Shane Brennan and Crossmolina’s Esmond Maughan traded white-flagged efforts on 43 and 45 minutes respectively, before Durkin regained his side a five point cushion on 47 minutes.
Crossmolina regrouped and they almost fashioned a goal on 48 minutes when the returning McDonald set-up Luke Maloney but the latter’s effort was aptly dealt with by the alert William Duggan.
The chasers chipped away at the deficit when their substitute Eanna O’Boyle popped over a neat score before Duggan once again produced a fine save for Westport on 51 minutes, this time pushing Ethan Reilly’s goal-bound effort around his post.
Westport were wary of their opponents gaining momentum and the Blue and Navy claimed a badly needed point courtesy of Durkin, after he was set-up by Ross O’Connor.
Crossmolina continued to pour forward and their endeavour was rewarded when McDonald rustled the back of the net on 55 minutes, thus setting up a grandstand finish. However, Westport didn’t panic and player of the match Durkin landed a crucial free on 57 minutes, which galvanised their lead.
The chasers kept plugging away and a marvellous point from McDonald, coupled with Aaron Keane’s tidy effort from an acute angle, set up a frantic finale to the game.
In the end, Westport’s Elcmar O’Toole’s late goal chance which was saved by Dylan Keane in the Crossmolina goal, proved to be final act of what was a dramatic contest.
Scorers – Westport: Rian Durkin 1-2-3 (2tpf, 1f), Jack O’Malley and Michael McDonnell (1f) 0-1-1 each, Ethan McGing and Shane Brennan 0-0-1 each.
Crossmolina: Kobe McDonald 1-0-6 (1 ’45), Josh Moyles 0-0-2, Esmond Maughan, Dylan Keane (’45), Patrick Mulligan, Aaron Keane, Oisín Deane and Eanna O’Boyle 0-0-1 each.
Westport: William Duggan; Matthew Scahill, Kyle O’Malley, Jamie O’Toole; Darragh Reynolds, Peter McGowan, Aodhán Gavin; Jack O’Malley, Michael McDonnell; Killian Conway, Ethan McGing, Darragh Corrigan; Shane Brennan, Rian Durkin, Nathan Hoban. Subs: Elcmar O’Toole (for Hoban 38), Ross O’Connor (for Scahill 52), Darragh Malone (for J O’Malley 60+1, inj).
Crossmolina: Dylan Keane; Sean Óg McGuinness, Sean Heffernan, Darragh Duffy; Luke Maloney, Esmond Maughan, Liam Clancy; Josh Moyles, Dylan Flynn; Luke Williams, Kobe McDonald, Patrick Mulligan; Aaron Keane, Oisín Deane, Ethan Reilly. Sub: Eanna O’Boyle (for Mulligan 48).
REF: Paul Lydon (Kiltimagh)
