Calry Bohemians 1-0 Crossmolina

Sligo suffered a setback at the weekend with the ousting of Tabby but one of its soccer teams restored a bit of pride to the town in the Connacht Cup as Calry Bohemians outlasted Crossmolina 1-0. The hosts, who have struggled in the Sligo League, revelled in the low pressure Cup atmosphere and produced a super first half display that could have secured a berth in the next round but for some good work by Crossmolina goalkeeper Johnny O'Hora. A quagmire of a pitch relegated fanciful football to an afterthought so both teams rolled up the sleeves and entrenched themselves in a fulsome battle of attrition. The Mayo side absorbed the early onslaught from Bohs before launching a swift attack after seven minutes which saw Paul McGuinness spread the play from midfield to the left flank. Paul Flaherty floated in a cross from deep that Michael Cafferty hared onto but could only volley wide from twelve yards out. It proved to be the only real chance of the half for the visitors and they spent the rest of the period frantically clearing their lines. After eleven minutes a bout of indecision between Padraig Whittaker and Jason Canavan allowed a looping left wing cross to bounce in the penalty area and Donal Egan profited from the error by thumping a solid header which O'Hora forced wide with an outstretched leg. Two minutes later Aiden Flynn raced down the left wing before driving a low cross into the box that Shane Boyd slotted wide when it seemed certain that he would score. It appeared inevitable that the creativity and industry of Bohs would yield a goal and it duly arrived after seventeen minutes. Declan Lee turned tidily on the left before relaying the ball to Boyd whose glance across the penalty area as he advanced on goal cleverly deceived the defenders and he smashed a cunning shot between O'Hora and his near post to give Calry the early lead. Lee provided a constant threat for the hosts with his willingness to shoot. He had another effort that was narrowly wide after half an hour. Then, four minutes later, he saw another blast saved by O'Hora and from the ensuing scramble he tested the netminder again with a fine fifteen yard shot that demanded a fine save.With Crossmolina reduced to hopeful punts upfield and aimless clearances the one goal lead was the least that the more cohesive Bohs deserved at the interval. The second half opened with 27 astoundingly dull moments when neither side created a single chance worthy of the name. The drudgery was only interrupted by the hilarious sight of the overly fussy referee relieving the linesman of his duties after he had the cheek to retrieve the ball from a neighbouring field! When the honest toil and endeavour was finally converted into a shot at goal it was Lee who supplied the finish but his 72nd minute shot from the right corner of the box flew across the face of goal. Crossmolina switched to a three man defence in an attempt to force extra time and it nearly proved to be an inspired move. Johnno Heffernan swivelled onto a pass from McGuinness but his shot was well smothered by goalie Stephen Hegarty. It proved to be Crossmolina's second, best and last chance to sustain their cup run and like Tabby they can now assume the role of bystanders as others vie for the prize.