Crossmolina’s penalty-laden run in the Mayo League Cup came to a disappointing end, with a 5-2 defeat in the midge-infested environs of Glenhest on a humid summer evening. The visitors became the latest team to squander a handsome lead in a week where more illustrious and better paid sides have suffered a similar fate. The evening had begun so promisingly for the Premier League side as they quickly assumed a 2-0 lead at the home of their supposedly superior Super League opponents. After 3 minutes Joe Keane hoisted a free kick from the left of midfield to the far edge of the Glenhest penalty area. Padraig Whittaker rose highest and headed the ball back across the area where Derek Greham bundled it in from close range for an early 1-0 lead. On fifteen minutes the lead was doubled when an underhit Glenhest back pass was pounced upon by the lively Jason Canavan. He still had a lot to do though, and racing in from 30 yards out he coolly slotted the ball by the Glenhest goalkeeper Syron. With another Super League scalp within their grasp Crossmolina perhaps relaxed a little and they were duly punished. Two incidents signified the turning of the match. Crossmolina had one of the best moves of the match when goalscorer Canavan brilliantly sent Duggan away down the right wing with a deft touch. Duggan scampered onto the ball and crossed into the box for Greham who swivelled and shot a fearsome volley in one graceful motion. The shot was well saved though by Syron. Then Glenhest hit the crossbar with a header from a corner kick. Buoyed by this effort Glenhest raised the tempo of their game, partly out of desperation and partly out of necessity. They were rewarded on the half hour mark when Crossmolina netminder O’Hora parried a save into the path of Glenhest striker Charlie McDonnell who scored from 6 yards out. Instilled with a newfound sense of belief Glenhest surged forward again and 5 minutes later they equalised, aided by some poor Crossmolina defending. Eoin Syron was dispossessed of the ball at left back and Glenhest immediately whipped a dangerous cross into the area where the ball was sidefooted home for the equalising goal. This was the last score in an exciting and entertaining first half. Both sides had reason to believe they could win the game but the odds swung in the home sides favour when with only 2 minutes elapsed in the second half McDonnell hooked a delicious volley over O’Hora from 15 yards out. It was a strike of pure class and perhaps illustrated the difference between the two sides. Glenhest created few scoring chances in the game yet seemed to score from every one of them to total five goals. Crossmolina, on the other hand, enjoyed extended periods of possession which created numerous scoring opportunities but still yielded only two goals. Despite the deficit Crossmolina continued to press but some good passing moves through midfield were thwarted by an inpenetrable Glenhest backline. As a result there weren’t too many clear-cut chances for either side in the second half and this suited the home side just fine as they doggedly defended their precious one goal lead. They scored again after 65 minutes to kill off the tie but Crossmolina stubbornly refused to let their cup dream die and continued to carry the game to their foes. John Hegarty shot over from 8 yards out on two separate occasions with what were probably the visitors best chances to get back into the game. It was not meant to be though, and with 3 minutes remaining Glenhest converted a penalty kick to seal the 5-2 victory and book their place in the semi final. Crossmolina won’t have long to dwell on their defeat as they get an early chance to redeem themselves when they play again in 3 days time in the league at Ballina Town, essentially the more important competition when deciding the status of a club.

Crossmolina - J O’Hora, J McGuinness, J Hegarty, J Keane, M Loftus, J Duggan(K Canavan 85), P Whittaker, S Canavan, E Syron(D McDonald 70), J Canavan(M Moyles 60), D Greham