Match Reports >> 2009 Match Reports >> Crossmolina 3-2 Craughwell

October 18th 2009 Crossmolina 3-2 Craughwell

This one started in a tetchy manner and soon descended into a brand of mayhem that culminated in the inevitable all-out melee between both sets of players. Craughwell were possibly narked by having to endure an arduous two hour bus trek on a miserable Sunday morning while the hosts were probably peeved at their miserable run of form that had seen them lose four consecutive matches. Add to this potent mix a referee who was borderline incompetent and you have the makings of an incendiary contest. And so it proved. The two teams took an instant dislike to each other and the ensuing ninety minutes was peppered with blood and thunder tackles, enough moaning to make Victor Meldrew proud and a referee who agitated both sides more than the opposition ever could. The visitors slightly edged the early going but their opening goal after fifteen minutes was nonetheless fortuitous when their winger gathered the ball in midfield and proceeded to swing a speculative swipe at the ball which looped up off of Jason Canavan’s challenge and arced over Sean Hiney in goal. Crossmolina were granted an opportunity to level matters though five minutes into the second half when the referee mysteriously awarded a penalty kick that nobody on either side could understand. Johnno Heffernan thumped the spot kick solidly to the keepers right but it was parried away to safety and justice was served.

The home team improved in the second half and dismissed the penalty misfortune with some good football. Stewart Griffin rattled the crossbar with a header before the Deelsiders were offered another lifeline when the man in black spotted a hand ball by a visiting player and pointed to the spot again midway through half. Substitute Brian Benson stepped up for duty this time and made no mistake with his effort. The game swung towards the local eleven at this juncture and they followed up with a second score with fifteen minutes remaining when Heffernan atoned for his earlier miss by following up on a good save and slotting the ball into the net. He rounded off the scoring again moments later which left just enough time for the much-anticipated schmozzle that had been brewing since the beginning. The referee once again blotted his copybook by missing a clear sending off offence in the middle of the jostling and compounded the error by awarding another dubious penalty in the final minute, this time to the visitors. They converted it but they hadn’t time to launch a comeback proper and they had to return home having enjoyed no hospitality whatsoever from their Mayo neighbours.

Crossmolina – Sean Hiney, Kenny Canavan (Adam Gordon 45), Michael Cafferty, Anthony Timoney, Jason Canavan, John Duggan, Mark Howley, Stewart Griffin, Enda Jordan (Anthony Ruddy 66), Eoin Corcoran (Brian Benson 45), Johnno Heffernan

Referee - J Donoghue

Match Reports >> 2009 Match Reports >> Crossmolina 3-2 Craughwell