West’ best as winless streak continues for Knockmore
Up for grabs: Westport’s Conal Dawson and Knockmore’s Adam Naughton reach for the ball during the Mayo SFL Division 1 meeting at St Joseph’s Park last Saturday evening. Pictures: David Farrell Photography
Westport made it back-to-back wins in Division 1 following an impressive performance away to Knockmore at a sunny but windy St Joseph’s Park on Saturday.
The strength of Westport’s panel was apparent, with twelve of their starting fifteen having played for Mayo at either minor, under-20 or senior level. Current panellist Rory Brickenden gave an excellent display at wing-back while a former Mayo senior in Mark Moran was a menace for the Knockmore backline all evening.
That Pat Holmes’ side were also missing Eoghan McLaughlin and Lee Keegan will serve as further warning that Westport will likely be there or thereabouts come the business end of the league and championship later this year.
The first-half was one to forget for Ray Dempsey’s Knockmore side. Not only did they concede three goals in three minutes, but they also saw Connell Dempsey and Nathan Armstrong withdrawn prematurely due to injury.
It adds to a lengthy absentee list which includes Colm Reape, Darren McHale, Pearse Ruttledge and Sean Holmes, although Mayo under-20 midfielder Darragh Staunton was back in action for his club after the county’s loss in the provincial decider.
The North Mayo side battled gamely, with Aiden Orme in sparkling form for the hosts and kicking eleven points in total, which included three two-pointers. But the old adage that goals win games proved true once again and Westport added a fourth late on to end all doubt.
Billy Ruane got Knockmore’s opening point but Westport responded with the next four through Finbar McLaughlin, Joe Grady, Pat Lambert and Killian Kilkelly.
Aiden Orme’s first two-pointer for Knockmore brought the gap back to one by the end of the first quarter, but the Covies got the first of their majors a minute later. Luke Tunney and Mark Moran were involved in the build-up, and Colm Moran rifled home.
That opened the floodgates as Westport landed another two goals in quick succession. First, a superb run by Brickenden set up Elcmar O’Toole for Westport’s second goal, and Joey Holmes raised the third green flag soon after as he got on the end of Jack O’Malley’s soccer-style pass to rifle home.
Knockmore responded well however, with three points from Orme, including a two-point free, and a single from Liam Durkan to bring the gap back to six at the break, Westport leading 3-4 to 0-7.
Knockmore would score only three points in the third quarter, all coming from Orme, including a free, as Westport extended their lead to nine points by the 47th minute thanks to the impressive Killian Kilkelly (three, one free) and Mark Moran, while Patrick O’Malley also struck an excellent free off the carpet from outside the arc.
Matters were compounded further for Knockmore as Peter Naughton was shown a straight red card on 51 minutes for an off-the-ball incident, and they played much of the final quarter with thirteen men after Adam Battle picked up a black card.
Aiden Orme, Caolan Hopkins and Fergal Keane did their best to keep Knockmore hopes alive, but Westport finished with a flourish thanks to three points from substitute Kevin Keane and a goal by Joe Grady.
Knockmore will look to get themselves off the bottom of the table next weekend when they travel to Tallagh to take on Belmullet, while Westport host Ballina Stephenites in a repeat of last year’s Mayo senior championship final.
Scorers – Westport: Killian Kilkelly 0-0-5 (1f), Joe Grady 1-0-1, Colm Moran, Joey Holmes and Elcmar O’Toole 1-0-0 each, Kevin Keane 0-0-3, Patrick O’Malley 0-1-0 (1tpf), Pat Lambert and Finbar McLaughlin 0-0-1 each.
Knockmore: Aiden Orme 0-3-5 (1tpf, 2f), Billy Ruane, Liam Durkan, Fergal Keane and Caolan Hopkins (f) 0-0-1 each.
Knockmore: Brian McMahon; Nathan Armstrong, David McHale, Martin Orme; Aidan Naughton, Ryan Casey, Conor Breslin; Darragh Staunton, Connell Dempsey; Billy Ruane, Adam Battle, Daniel Breslin; Aiden Orme, Thomas Clarke, Liam Durkan. Subs: Fergal Keane (for Dempsey 23, inj), Keith Ruttledge (for D Breslin 26), Peter Naughton (for Armstrong 30, inj), Caolan Hopkins (for Ruane 45), Conor Flynn (for Durkan 55).
Westport: Patrick O’Malley; Luke Tunney, Lorcan Silke, Brian McDermott; Joe Grady, Finbar McLaughlin, Rory Brickenden; Joey Holmes, Jack O’Malley; Conal Dawson, Mark Moran, Pat Lambert; Colm Moran, Elcmar O’Toole, Killian Kilkelly. Subs: Ben Holmes (for Lambert 50), Kevin Keane (for O’Toole 55), Peter McGowan (for McDermott 60).
REF: Jerome Henry (Castlebar Mitchels)
