Match Reports >> 2009 Match Reports >> Manulla B 0-1 Crossmolina

July 18th 2009 Manulla B 0-1 Crossmolina

The only interesting thing about this match is that there were five Canavans named in the starting lineups of both squads. Besides that it was quite fitting that this bore-fest was decided by an instantly forgettable goal and it’s quite likely that everyone who was at the game has already forgotten everything about it. There was nothing about the surroundings that could be blamed for the turgid nature of this shambles; the pitch was better than most in the county; the weather was mostly fine and there were no other factors that could be faulted. Neither side are distinguishing themselves in the division this year so perhaps it should be no surprise what ensued when they clashed on Saturday evening. The highlights of the first half can be summed up in two sentences. After two minutes Paul Flaherty scuffed a low corner from the left that was returned back to him by a poor defensive clearance. His second effort was more accurate and it found Anthony Timoney in the centre of a crowded penalty area but the centre-back’s header was off target from close range. The other chance of the half fell to the home team in the ninth minute after a good passing move down the left flank culminated in a chance for Des Gibbons but the striker side-footed goalwards weakly and Sean Hiney handled it quite easily.

The second half was an improvement on what had preceded it and the action commenced immediately after the restart when Patrick Cafferty swivelled smartly on the edge of the penalty area but his shot on the turn was directly at Colin Walsh in Manulla’s goal. The best chance of the whole game occurred five minutes into the second half when some shambolic defending by the visitors was nearly punished by an opportunistic Manulla attack. Crossmolina played some short passes around in their own half from a free kick that resulted in them losing possession to Eoin Vahey who hared down the left wing and pushed the ball past the charge of goalie Sean Hiney. He crossed it to the back post where Des Gibbons was stationed in front of an unguarded goal but his stooping header somehow cleared the bar from six yards. The visitors broke the deadlock after sixty five minutes when Paul Flaherty dumped a corner kick from the right into the penalty area, causing panic in the home defence that was punished by Michael Cafferty who was on hand to poke the ball in from close range. A few minutes later Colin McDonnell rapped an impressive shot that threatened Crossmolina’s lead but it was cleared and within seconds Adam Gordon found himself bearing down on goal at the other endwith only Walsh to beat. He dragged his shot wide from inside the penalty area and Manulla survived for another while. Manulla had the better of the chances after that with Calum Murray nearly scoring with his first touch of the game. The same player then could have stolen a point for his side when he had a chance in the dying minutes of the match but he couldn’t convert and Crossmolina returned home three points better off.

Crossmolina – Sean Hiney, Kenny Canavan (John Duggan 70), Michael Cafferty, Mark Loftus, Anthony Timoney, Patrick Cafferty, Enda Jordan, Paul McGuinness, Eoin Corcoran (Adam Gordon 33), Jason Canavan, Paul Flaherty

Manulla – Colin Walsh, Peter Canavan, Simon Doherty, Colin McDonnell, John Reilly, Alan Canavan, Patrick McGreal, Ollie Carroll, Mark Canavan, Des Gibbons, Alan Heneghan

Referee – M McCay

Match Reports >> 2009 Match Reports >> Manulla B 0-1 Crossmolina