Crossmolina soccer club employed key players from their Connacht Champion Gaelic counterparts in the hopes of extending their own success in the Connacht Cup. The tactic paid dividends as a Michael Moyles goal, and a virtuoso display by Joe Keane in midfield inspired them to a 1-0 victory against Bangor Hibs at chilly Abbeytown on Sunday. The two teams were familiar with each other after splitting their league encounters this season, although a 5-0 shellacking at Bangor gave Crossmolina extra incentive, if it was needed. An action-packed game kept the small crowd's focus on the action and off the inclement weather. Derek Greham signalled his intent early on as he shot wide in the first minute. It didn't take long for Joe Keane to stamp his authority on midfield as his return helped to offset the absence of Steven Canavan for Crossmolina. Keane controlled midfield in a manner his more illustrious namesake would be proud of, constantly winning vital possession and spraying incisive passes to his two strikers. After 8 minutes he floated a delightful ball from midfield to Greham, in the box, who shot over from 15 yards out on the half volley. Bangor threatened at the opposite end when a scramble in the 18 yard box afforded their striker a shooting opportunity but a timely block by a Crossmolina defender averted disaster. The home side responded with a 15 minute purple patch which lasted until half time. Left back Michael Canavan flighted a wonderful diagonal pass from the left wing to John Duggan on the edge of the box who controlled the ball and shot in one swift motion, but his bid for the opening goal was just wide of the left post. Bangor caused home hearts to miss a beat when a half cleared corner was cheekily hooked goalwards from 6 yards out, but the attempt was just wide. Michael Moyles' selfless running off the ball was rewarded in the 38th minute when he latched onto a pass from midfield and calmly slotted home from 10 yards out to give his side a deserved 1-0 lead. The second half continued in the same vein as the first with both sides trading shots at a frequent rate. Bangor imposed themselves more in the half and it required great fortune and judicious officiating for Crossmolina to retain their advantage. Duggan drove two nearly identical left foot shots wide from the edge of the box before Bangor had a good claim for a penalty denied midway through the half, their second spot kick appeal of day. They felt as aggrieved as the taxi drivers when referee Kevin Reilly waved play on after a Bangor shot had richocheted off Padraig Whittaker's knee and onto his hand. The visitor's mood improved slightly soon after when Whittaker rolled the ball back to goalie O'Hora who absentmindedly picked the ball up. The referee had no choice but to award a free kick from 5 yards out. As so often happens the free was blocked down by the Crossmolina wall of bodies and although the rebound was deflected wide by a Bangor player, Hibs were awarded the corner kick. O'Hora redeemed himself later on in a 30 second spell when both goalies performed heroics which could have decided the game for either team. Firstly, a poor Bangor clearance from a left wing cross was pounced on by Duggan who rifled a shot which the Hibs netminder brilliantly got a hand to. The ball trickled goalwards but the custodian gladly grabbed it. From the kick out Bangor created their best chance of the day when a right wing cross was deflected at the last second by a Hibs striker. Johnny O'Hora distinguished himself with an incredible reflex save to break his opponents will and ensure victory for Crossmolina. With only minutes remaining Greham could have sealed the win but he sliced wide from a Moyles left wing cross. The only surprise was that a game with so many chances was decided by a solitary goal. Crossmolina's reward for a hard earned win is a bye in the next round so it could be 2001 before their 2000 comes to a finish. It's not often that a Cup run doubles as preseason training.

Crossmolina - J O'Hora, K Canavan, J Hegarty, P Whittaker, M Canavan, P Flaherty, E Syron(P McGuinness 70), J Keane, J Duggan,  D Greham, M Moyles