WELCOME INN HOTEL MAYO LEAGUE DIVISION TWO TITLE PLAY-OFF (2nd Leg)

LATE MOYLES STRIKE KILLS OFF LUCKLESS TEN-MAN KNOCK. . .

Crossmolina make their mark!

Knock United ............................ 2 Crossmolina ............................. 2
(Crossmolina won 4-3 on aggregate)

By Tom Kelly . . . AT URLAUR

Crossmolina have delivered on their promise. They captured their first major trophy at Urlaur on Sunday when a pulsating draw against Knock United in the second leg of the Mayo League Division Two title play-off was sufficient to ensure them of victory by the odd goal in seven.

Michael Moyles, a striker who trades on power and persistence, had the glorious distinction of executing the most important goal to date in the relatively short history of the North Mayo club.

He displayed tremendous ingenuity and craft in the 68th minute by directing a looping headed effort out of the reach of Knock goalkeeper David Geraghty following a high ball from John Gerard Loftus.

A key incident had occurred moments earlier when experienced Knock defender Philip Curry was red-carded after being booked a second time for a late tackle. The sending off came at a time when United, having squared the tie with an Oisin Murray goal before half-time, were in dominant form and looked the most likely side to emerge victorious.

With Paul McGuinness and Joe Keane oozing confidence and intelligent in the middle of the pitch, Crossmolina exploited their numerical advantage to telling effect.

When Moyles struck the all-important goal, it may have been against the run of play at that point.

But Crossmolina proceeded to dominate the remainder of the match, underlining the qualities which suggest the side is likely to flourish in the higher echelons of Mayo football.

By the same token, Knock were not very far behind them in terms of organisation and skill. Matters could have been so different for them, in fact, had Oisin Murray not been denied by a splendid reflex save from Crossmolina goalkeeper Jonathan O'Hora six minutes into the second half.

O'Hora's parry had also rebounded off the crossbar to prevent Knock from taking the lead in the play-off for the first time.

RICH IN PASSION

A game rich in passion and raw commitment began at a frantic pace. Crossmolina, a goal to the good following the first leg, made a significant breakthrough after a quarter of an hour.

John Hegarty, the side's commanding central defender, drove a 25-yards free-kick low into a corner of the Knock net. The United defence stood indicted for a lack of concentration, but the East-Mayo side were back in the match within three minutes.

Des Campbell utilised his pace to crucial effect when the clever Kevin Burke floated a high ball over the top of the Crossmolina rearguard.

The Knock attacker controlled the ball expertly on the soft surface before placing it sweetly beyond goalkeeper, O'Hora. United were rejuvenated. They piled on the pressure and created two good opportunities before taking the lead

A headed attempt by Oisin Murray was cleared off the line by Mark Loftus following Adrian Forkan's free-kick. Then Des Campbell was only inches wide of a post after being put through a second time by Burke. Their reward came two minutes before the interval when goalkeeper O'Hora dropped a shot by Enda Campbell and the opportunist Murray was perfectly placed to reap advantage.

The score put Knock level on aggregate, and they started the second half like they were going to tear the opposition to shreds.

But Crossmolina retained their nerve and composure and snatched the title with a Michael Moyles looping headed finish. It was a memorable moment for Crossmolina manager Bert Carolan who announced his decision to step down from the position after the match.

He said: "The players have given me an outstanding level of commitment. I am sure this is the start of great things for them. They have the ability to make a big impact at a higher level.

"Knock United made matters very difficult for us over the two legs, and I am sure they will do very well for themselves in the seasons ahead."

Knock United: D. Geraghty, B. Byrne, A. Forkan, S. Cosgrove, K. Burke, P. Curry, J. Carthy, P. McGrath, E. Campbell, D. Campbell, O. Murray. Res: P. Jennings (for McGrath); T. McNulty (for D. Campbell).

Crossmolina: J. O'Hora, J. McGuinness, M. Loftus, J. Keane, L. Hegarty, J. Hegarty, J. G. Loftus, P. McGuinness, D. Graham, M. Moyles, J. Kearns. Res: P. Whittiger (for L. Hegarty); A. Loftus (for Kearns).

Ref: J. O'Brien (Castlebar). * Star Rating: Michael Moyles. . .historic goal for Crossmolina.

 Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - January 1998