Rovers’ relief as Moy comeback falls just short

Homeland Mayo MFC ‘C’ Final

Crossmolina Deel Rovers 3-10 

Moy Davitts 0-18 

Stuart Tynan in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar

Crossmolina Deel Rovers held off a late fightback from Moy Davitts to be crowned Homeland Minor ‘D’ football champions last Sunday afternoon.

Moy Davitts may have had over twice as many players on the scoresheet, scored three two-pointers in contrast to none from Crossmolina, but the old adage of goals wins games proved true once again.

More specifically, a hat-trick of majors from corner-forward Ethan Reilly was the difference in a game where Crossmolina did not score until Moy Davitts were already four points up through Donnacha Timlin, Conall Reid and a two-pointer from Cian Fahy.

Crossmolina did reel off the next four points to draw level, three coming from Dylan Lavelle (one free) and one from former Mayo minor Eanna O’Boyle, and the sides remained level after 17 minutes when Jamie Loughney for Moy Davitts and Crossmolina’s Peadar Fergus traded points.

By that stage, torrential rainfall was already effecting the contest and referee Paddy Chambers temporarily suspended play in the 23rd minute for the downpours to subside.

On the resumption, Crossmolina took control and following a second O’Boyle point, the Deel Rovers boys then raised their first green flag as Dylan Keane teed up Ethan Reilly for his first goal, despite the best efforts of Moy Davitts goalkeeper Luke McEvoy to prevent it.

A second Lavelle free put five between the teams at the break, 1-7 to 0-5, and Crossmolina stretched their lead to eight points inside five minutes after the restart. A converted ’45 from Lavelle and a point from Keane was cancelled out by Cian Fahy’s second two-pointer, but Reilly palmed home his second goal of the day to make it 2-9 to 0-7.

It was looking a little bleak for the East Mayo challengers at this stage, however, Moy Davitts refused to go away and hit the next six points without reply. Two came from Dean Butler, there was a two-point free off the ground by James Duffy, and a point apiece by substitute Tom Gostick and Matthew Ruane, to leave just two points between the sides with eleven minutes remaining.

Crossmolina badly needed a score and who else but Ethan Reilly to call upon, as the boys in maroon cut through the Moy Davitts defence, with Peadar Fergus and Dylan Keane heavily involved in the build-up, and Reilly thundered home to complete his hat-trick.

There was still time for Moy Davitts and they reeled off the next three scores through Duffy, a Butler free and Ruane to bring the gap back to two.

Reilly then stepped up with another score for Crossmolina, this time a point, and it appeared Crossmolina were safe. However, Dylan McHale popped up with a point for Moy Davitts and while James Duffy was unfortunate to see his soccer-style effort at the beginning on injury-time go wide of the post, another Dean Butler free left only the minimum between the teams.

Moy Davitts won the next kickout too, however, Crossmolina were able to wrestle possession back and the boys from the Deel could finally celebrate a county minor title.

Scorers – Crossmolina Deel Rovers: Ethan Reilly 3-0-1, Dylan Lavelle 0-0-5 (1f, 1 ’45), Eanna O’Boyle 0-0-2, Peadar Fergus and Dylan Keane 0-0-1 each.

Moy Davitts: Cian Fahy 0-2-0, Dean Butler 0-0-4 (2f), James Duffy 0-1-1 (1tpf), Matthew Ruane 0-0-2, Jamie Loughney, Conall Reid, Dylan McHale, Donnacha Timlin and Tom Gostick 0-0-1 each.

Crossmolina Deel Rovers: George Gordetskyy; Evan Molloy, Dara Floyd, Aaron Rodrigues; Joe Loftus, Eanna O’Boyle, Peadar Fergus; Tom Burke, Jack Heffernan; Conor Howley, Gavin Lavelle, Aaron Keane; Ethan Reilly, Dylan Lavelle, Dylan Keane. Sub: Luke Loftus (for O’Boyle 42, inj).

Moy Davitts: Luke McEvoy; Jason Walsh, Senan Tolan, Padraig McKeown; Jamie Loughney, James Duffy, Brady Guilfoyle; Cian Fahy, Conall Reid; Ronan Healy, Matthew Ruane, Harry Reddington; Dylan McHale, Dean Butler, Donnacha Timlin. Subs: Killian Commons and Tom Gostick (for Healy and Reddington ht), Ronnie Deacy (for Timlin 56).

REF: Paddy Chambers (Burrishoole)