Tuohy Cup Final- Nov 1 2005:
Crossmolina complete eventful season in dramatic fashion
By Tom Kelly, Connaught Telegraph
CROSSMOLINA lifted the Tuohy Cup for the first time at Milebush Park on Sunday in a manner that was far from straight forward. The North Mayo club capped a most eventful of seasons with a dramatic victory over spirited Ballinrobe Town in a decider rich in honesty and resolve. The Premier Division runners-up had been literally moments away from hoisting the prestigious crown when disaster struck for them five minutes into second-half injury time. Conor Maloney, a striker with a natural scoring instinct, directed the ball past goalkeeper, Jonathon O'Hara, after Ballinrobe had laid siege on the Crossmolina goal. The last-gasp opening was created by Ger Burke's probing free-kick into the penalty area which the Crossmolina rearguard failed to clear properly. The ball rolled to the unmarked Declan Reilly whose fierce drive was blocked, but Maloney dispatched the rebound with clinical precision into a corner of the net to force the issue into extra-time. It was a heartbreaking setback for Crossmolina, but there is no shortage of character or obduracy in their ranks. They picked themselves up, refusing to yield an inch to a rejuvenated Ballinrobe in extratime.
Enda Reilly had the best chance to capitalise on Town's renewed drive and enthusiasm, but he shot tamely at the Crossmolina goalkeeper when he should have done much better from close range. The sending off of Gary Fitzpatrick for a second booking gave Crossmolina the edge in the closing stages, but there was to be no goals in extratime. So the Tuohy Cup was destined to be resolved by a penalty shoot-out. Both sides got off to a bad start with O'Hora saving from Enda Reilly and Paul Flaherty pushing his attempt wide. Damian Walsh gave Town the lead, but Pierce Loftus responded by converting in style. Then O'Hora saved his second penalty, this time from substitute Keith McTigue, before Stuart Griffin gave Crossmolina a 2-1 advantage. The next three penalties, by David Sheridan Ballinrobe), Michael Caffertey (Crossmolina) and Ger Burke (Ballinrobe), were successful, leaving Paul McGuinness in a match-winning position when he strolled up to take Crossmolina's fifth effort. Displaying the type of composure and assurance that established McGuinness as a player apart in the Premier Division of the Mayo League this year, the creative midfielder sealed success for his club. It was no more than Crossmolina deserved, but Ballinrobe Town emerged from the confrontation with enormous credit due to their high work-rate and adventurous, direct approach. Crossmolina, in contrast, had a more controlled style, passing the ball with intent and always trying to catch the opposition on the counter attack. The first half was spoiled by an incessant, heavy downpour, but it still produced two fine goals.
Crossmolina took the lead against the run of play in the 20th minute when Kevin McLaughlin skilfully directed the ball beyond goalkeeper Kevin Connolly's reach. Ballinrobe equalised during the closing seconds of the half through J.P. O'Gorman, set up by Enda Reilly's pass. In between the two goals, McLaughlin and Paul Flaherty were both denied by the crossbar for Crossmolina. Town, who enlisted the help of Galway GAA senior manager Peter Forde in preparing for the game, had the better of the opening half an hour of the second half, but feeble finishing cost them dearly, Conor Maloney, J.P. O'Gorman and Jarlath McDonagh all missing feasible opportunities from close range. There was an element of fortune in the manner in which Crossmolina restored their lead with six minutes remaining. A long range shot by defender Mark Loftus was deflected into the net by McLaughlin whose intervention left goalkeeper Connolly stranded. Surely Ballinrobe Town couldn't come back from this? They did. And brilliantly so. Thanks to Conor Maloney's equaliser in the dying seconds. It was not to be their day, however, losing out on penalties in a memorable final. McGuinness and O'Hora may have emerged as the Crossmolina heroes, but there was also outstanding contributions from Anthony Timoney, Pierce Loftus, Stuart Griffin, Kevin McLaughlin and Paul Flaherty. On this showing, Ballinrobe Town will be a force with which to be reckoned next season. I was particular impressed by the displays of Bart Grimes, Gary Fitzpatrick and Conor Maloney.
Ballinrobe Town: Kevin Connolly, Gary Fitzpatrick, Maurice Walsh, Damian Walsh, Bart Grimes, Brian Maloney, Ger Burke, Kieran Sheridan, J.P. O'Gorman, Enda Reilly, Jarlath McDonagh.
Suns used: Declan Reilly, Conor Maloney, David Sheridan, Keith McTigue.
Crossmolina: Jonathon O'Hora, Mark Loftus, Anthony Timoney, Pierce Loftus, Michael Caffertey, Paul McGuinness, Paul Flaherty, Stuart Griffin, Anthony Ruddy, Kevin McLaughlin, John Duggan.
Subs used: Adam Gordon, Padraig Whittaker and Michael Timlin.
Ref: Harry Loftus (Castlebar).
* Star Rating: Jonathon O'Hora. . inspirational captain
See how it looked in the newspaper
McGuinness is great for Cross' as Robe rue missed chances
By Edwin McGreal, Mayo News
ONE of the most riveting cup finals in recent years came to pass on Sunday last when Crossmolina eventually managed to eliminate the Ballinrobe challenge. Twice Cross' led, but twice they were pegged back, once in injury-time in the first half and again in the 95th minute of normal time in a tremendously exciting contest. Crossmolina were a much more cohesive side in the final third and this was replicated in the penalty shoot-out. Four were dispatched with supreme confidence while they only erred when Paul Flaherty's effort scraped the post. It rounded off a superb season for the north Mayo club, adding Tuohy Cup success to promotion to the Super League. Sunday's result saw them claim their first silverware in over a decade. Cross' had lost their two league games in the Premier Division to Ballinrobe so far this season and, in terms of possession on Sunday, the 'Robe had the kibosh on Crossmolina. But the winners were exceptional at the back, Jonathan O'Hora was confident in goal while the back four gave little space. Best among them was Pierce Loftus who gave an exhibition of top class defending. His reading of the game, strength in the tackle of drives forward marked him out as the game's outstanding player. Paul McGuinness and Kevin McLoughlin ran him close. McLoughlin was responsible for both of his team's goals while McGuinness, more renowned as a Gaelic footballer, was superbly creative in the centre of the pitch.
Ballinrobe, for all the industry from Brian Maloney, Gerry Burke and Enda Reilly, failed to threaten frequently enough to win the game in normal time and in the end they could only watch as Jonathan O'Hora pulled off heroics in goal for Crossmolina in the shoot-out. Certainly by half-time of this game you would do well to predict this was going to be a humdinger of a game. Chances were isolated and a torrential rain shower took any zip out of the game for long periods. We did have goals to keep us occupied however and, with their first meaningful attack, Crossmolina found the net. Paul Flahertydragged the ball across the edge of the area to John Duggan who slipped a delightful ball into Kevin McLoughlin. McLoughlin's pace meant he just beat Kevin Connolly in the Ballinrobe goal to the ball and while Connolly blocked the initial effort, McLoughlin was able to fire into the net from the rebound. The same player could have made it 2-0 nine minutes before the break when Anthony Ruddy superbly cushioned a header in his direction. However, McLoughlin's well struck effort came off the bar. A cross-cum shot from Paul Flaherty also went off the Ballinrobe bar but despite these two close shaves, Ballinrobe were on top in the possession stakes. Still, they were struggling to find their way past the Cross' defence but, with the half in its dying moments, they struck their equaliser.
Maurice Walsh set up Enda Reilly and his exquisite slide-rule pass set JP O'Gorman free. His finish was cool, leaving O'Hora with no chance.The sun came out in the second half while thegame opened up no end. Both sides played constructive, passing, football throughout and with the game opening up, we were treated to a wonderful second period. Conor Maloney, who made a major impact coming off the bench, had two chances early on. One was denied by superb defending from Pierce Loftus, the other, a marvellous diving header, went just wide. His brother Brian was at the heart of the Ballinrobe revival so it was strange to see him move to centre-back midway through the halfbut the South Mayo side kept up their relentless pressure. Both O'Gorman and Conor Maloney fired decent opportunities straight at O'Hora while Jarlath McDonagh headed just over. Crossmolinawere still a threat and they struck what appeared to be the winner with six minutes remaining. Michael Cafferty's low ball across the edge of the box seemed to be gone past Kevin McLoughlin but he stuck out a toe and diverted the ball into the net with Kevin Connolly wrong-footed. Ballinrobe threw everything at their opponents in a bid to bring the game into extra-time but their luck seemed to be out when O’Gorman headed straight at O'Hora in the 93rd minute. However, there was time for more. Gerry Burke, whose deliveries were Ballinrobe's greatest threat, whipped in a wonderful free-kick from the right hand side into a congested goalmouth that included 'Robe 'keeper Kevin Connolly. The ball was half cleared by Cross' but DecIan Reilly shot goalwards and Conor Maloney got a crucial touch to find the net. Extra-time it was then. Both sides had brilliant chances to score in the first period but both John Duggan and Enda Reilly failed to finish. The second period was largely devoid of incident except for the sending off of Ballinrobe's Gary Fitzpatrick for two yellow cards.
Into penalties and Ballinrobe appeared to be in bother straight away when O'Hora saved Enda Reilly's effort. However, Paul Flaherty's effort for Cross' went wide, off the post. Damien Walsh and Pierce Loftus then exchanged kicks before O'Hora made the crucial save, getting down well to save Keith McTigue'seffort. Stewart Griffin struck the winner's next effort right down the middle with confidence and Cross' were in front. David Sheridan and Gerry Burke would score Ballinrobe's next two penalties but after Michael Caffertyconverted Crossmolina's fourth, it was left to Paul McGuinness to win it.You never doubted him scoring and his brilliant effort into the top left corner brought the Tuohy Cup to Crossmolina.
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