Intermediate team end year on a high. Mayo Gaels 2-14 Crossmolina B 0-6
Our intermediate team finished up their 2011 Senior Football League Division 1D campaign with a comprehensive win over Crossmolina B in Abbey Park on Sunday.
Their intentions were clear from the very start when they stormed ahead with 7 points before Crossmolina registered their first score. Shane Vahey was first off the blocks, finishing a fine move through the middle with a point from play. Mally Byrne got his first point of the day after 6 minutes and this was quickly followed by a Danny Burke free kick. Adam Gallagher, playing a starring role in the No15 shirt, opened his account with a punched point in the 13th minute. He followed this with a second point 30 seconds later following a poor kick-out. Kevin Lynch, keeping the pressure on, slotted over a fine point and this was followed, in the 17th minute, by Mally Byrne’s second point.
While The Gaels were well in command on the scoreboard, they were even more on top out field and should have converted even more of their chances. After about 20 minutes Crossmolina finally found some form and started to swing things around. A well worked point on 22 minutes was followed by a golden opportunity where they hit the crossbar over Paul Mannion’s head. Adrian Heneghan was working hard in mid-field to counter this period of pressure and stealing possession from his opposite number gave Adam Gallagher the chance to score his third point, which he did with ease. The pressure continued from the visitors and they clocked up three unanswered points leading up to half-time. Then, in the 2nd minute of added time, a majestic long rang foot pass by Paul Walsh put the ball into the arms of the rampaging No15 and Adam smashed the ball to the top left corner of the net. The half time score was Mayo Gaels 1-8 Crossmolina 0-4.
Mayo Gaels started the 2nd half with the same intensity. Danny converted a free kick after 2 minutes and Adam had two more points by 7 mins. One being setup by the hardworking Kevin Lynch. A series of missed calls in defence provided Crossmolina with the chance to add a point to their score. 11 minutes into the 2nd half Aidan Jennings was introduced for Noel Quinn. Crossmolina continued to press up the field and they were unlucky to have a ball cleared off the line. It would have been a certain goal only for Kevin Lynch, reading the play perfectly, to be in the right place at the right time. This seemed to prompt the Gaels back into action and Mally Byrne, having worked hard all day, set up Danny Burke on the edge of the area. Danny coolly slotted the ball inside the right-hand post to put the tie out of reach for the visitors. Brian Flynn came on for Paul Walsh just before Danny hopped a shot off the crossbar for his 4th point. Crossmolina got their last point of the day on the 20th minute and Adam finished off a great days work with his 6th point just before the final whistle to leave the final score, Mayo Gaels 2-14 Crossmolina 0-6.
Mayo Gaels team: Paul Mannion, Allyn Brett, Anthony Byrne, Kevin Brett, Noel Quinn, Joe Walsh, Martin Connor, Adrian Heneghan, Sean Boyle, Shane Vahey (0-1), Danny Burke (1-4 2f), Kevin Lynch (0-1), Mally Byrne (0-2), Paul Walsh, Adam Gallagher (1-6). Subs: Aidan Jennings for Noel Quinn, Brian Flynn for Paul Walsh, PJ Larkin for Paul Mannion, Brian Heneghan for Kevin Brett, Paul Walsh for Adrian Heneghan.
