Patient United beat Mayo rivals to semi-final spot

Connacht Shield Quarter Final 

Westport United 3 

Claremorris 1 

Paul O’Malley at United Park 

An improved second-half performance saw Westport United advance to the last four of the Connacht Shield against Claremorris on Sunday morning.

Claremorris took the lead early on but the Coveys were level before the break. They put their heads down and worked hard to get in front before extending their lead to put the game beyond doubt. Jack Dawson was a standout player, pulling the strings for Westport from attacking midfield. Claremorris ended the game with ten men on the pitch after Finnian Brady’s dismissal for a second yellow card.

With twelve minutes played in the first-half, Lewis Lally’s impeccable in-swinging corner was met by the leaping Cathal Walsh to make it 1-0 to the away side. Westport were made to feel very frustrated in the first-half having been caught in the offside trap on four occasions.

Alex Halpin had just hit the post in the 24th minute when centre-back Noah Massey felt adventurous. The Westport number 4 burst through the middle of the pitch, playing a one-two with Darren Browne before toe-poking the ball through to Jack Dawson. With that tricky offside trap finally beaten, Dawson remained composed to finish and restore parity between the teams.

With 52 minutes played, Alex Halpin played the ball inside to Dawson who then found Cian Halpin outside the area. Halpin struck it low from distance and it crept in past Keith Saunders in the Claremorris goal.

Fifteen minutes later, Cillian Whyte played a perfect through ball to Darren Browne who flicked the ball around the outstretched keeper and slotted it into the net to make it 3-1.

From there, it was a matter of seeing out the win for Westport, although Claremorris had their fair share of chances. In the first minute of stoppage time, Jason Murphy rifled a shot towards goal that smacked the bar. It came back out to the awaiting Simon Butler who nodded in the rebound but the flag had already gone up. Claremorris protested the decision and Finnian Brady got booked for his objections. Deeper into injury time, Brady saw yellow again for a poor challenge on Dylan O’Malley and received his marching orders.

Westport had been well in the driving seat from the start of the second-half onwards and were value for the win.

Westport United: Gary Cunningham, Harrison Quinn, Aaron Cannon, Noah Massey, Mark McDonagh, Fionn O’Hora, Cian Halpin, Cillian Whyte, Darren Browne, Jack Dawson, Alex Halpin. Subs: PJ Calvey (for Browne 73), Luke Dawson (for Whyte 79), Joe Lawless (for Quinn 83).

Claremorris: Keith Saunders, Brandon Walsh, Calvin Joyce, Jason Murphy, Lewis Lally, John Heneghan, Ryan McLoughlin, Mike Heaney, Mark Maloney, Cathal Walsh, Simon Butler. Subs: Cathal Maloney (for Heaney 63), Ben Smyth and Finnian Brady (for C Walsh and Heneghan 73).

Ref: Eric Eaton