Gaels are gone in 60 seconds as Knockmore flex their muscles
Former Mayo footballer Kevin McLoughlin was only a minute on the pitch when the Knockmore substitute struck a goal in his side's comfortable win over Mayo Gaels on Sunday.
Considering they had nothing to gain from this game but pride and some confidence for the relegation play-offs they were guaranteed to be in come what may, for three quarters of this game Mayo Gaels gave this a good rattle.
But two goals in a minute from Knockmore subs Liam Durkan and Kevin McLoughlin turned this game from competitive to game over.
The impressive John Gallagher had just pointed at the other end to narrow the gap to four points but Colm Reape’s booming kick-out cleared the Mayo Gaels midfield and Liam Durkan was on hand to apply the finishing touch.
Less than one minute later it was Kevin McLoughlin who broke through from the right wing, and he showed all his experience to finish low under Paul Mannion with his first touch of the ball after coming on.
You always sensed Knockmore were going to come out on top but they ended any doubt in that minute, stretching the gap to ten points, and it was thirteen by the final whistle.
It shows the balance of the team when they had eleven different scorers, and Peter Naughton was the top scorer with just 0-5 out of 3-19.
Knockmore probably got what they needed from this. A competitive three quarters, easing away at the end to guarantee they topped the group, a good spread of scorers, demonstrating a good bench and no apparent injuries. Their reward is a home quarter-final against their formidable rivals Ballintubber.
For Mayo Gaels, they will try to take succour from the first three quarters of the game ahead of a relegation semi-final against Charlestown.
The outsiders led by 1-5 to 0-5 coming up to half-time. Knockmore had a warranted 0-5 to 0-2 lead, but 22 minutes in, Mayo Gaels hit the game’s first goal. David Quinn was more diligent than the Knockmore defenders in following in an Ethan Henry two-pointer effort and Quinn beat Colm Reape to the punch underneath the crossbar.
A John Gallagher converted mark and a sensational two-pointer from play from James Jennings followed, and Mayo Gaels were three to the good after 27 minutes.
But from that kick-out, Knockmore ruthlessly ended any nascent thoughts of an upset.
Aiden Orme and Conor Flynn linked for the latter to square across the goal to Dylan Coleman, who showed composure to step back inside the cover and slide the ball to the net. A Peter Naughton free and a nice run and point from Orme had Ray Dempsey’s men 1-7 to 1-5 in front at the break.
The third quarter saw Knockmore pull steadily towards the win without leaving third gear before ruthlessly ending it with those two goals. The score of the day came from Peter Naughton on 40 minutes, who sold an outrageous dummy solo before pointing from just inside the arc.
McLoughlin and Liam Durkin – who also impressed from the bench – hit the two goals to finish off the game in the 48th and 49th minutes.
Adam Naughton came up from full-back for a point, Aiden Orme swung over a beauty, Connell Dempsey, who set the tone around the middle all day, converted a free while Pearse Ruttledge and Darren McHale finished off the scoring.
Mayo Gaels had plenty of attacks and while John Gallagher impressed with six points, in general, poor decision making and poor execution let them down in attack. A sturdy Knockmore defence was also a significant contributing factor.
It will take a very good team to beat them.
Scorers – Knockmore: Peter Naughton 0-0-5 (3f), Liam Durkan 1-0-1, Kevin McLoughlin and Dylan Coleman 1-0-0 each, Aidan Orme (1f) and Darren McHale 0-0-3 each, Connell Dempsey (1f) and Nathan Armstrong 0-0-2 each, Pearse Ruttledge, Adam Naughton and Conor Flynn 0-0-1 each.
Mayo Gaels: John Gallagher 0-0-6 (1f, 1m), David Quinn 1-0-2, James Jennings 0-1-1 (1f), Jack Fallon 0-0-1 Knockmore: Colm Reape; Seán Holmes, Adam Naughton, Martin Orme; Aaron Timlin, Kieran King, Nathan Armstrong; Oliver Armstrong, Connell Dempsey; Conor Flynn, Darren McHale, Pearse Ruttledge; Dylan Coleman, Peter Naughton, Aidan Orme. Subs: Liam Durkan (for O Armstrong 37), David McHale (for Coleman 43), Kevin McLoughlin (for Flynn 48), Charlie Bourke (for M Orme 53), Darragh Staunton (for P Naughton 58).
Mayo Gaels: Paul Mannion; John Finn, Ruairí Keane, Alan Brennan; Enda Jennings, Liam Hughes, Seán Keane; Ronan Commons, Ethan Henry; David Quinn, Adam Gallagher, Jack Fallon; James Jennings, John Gallagher, Padraig Jennings. Subs: Peter Gallagher (for A Gallagher 54), Matthew Quinn (for Finn 60).
REF: Kieran Barnicle (Breaffy)
