10 September 1997
Brogan points the way fo determined
Knockmore
Crossmolina bow to local rivals as Knockmore progress
Padraig Brogan . . . 0-8 Kieran McDonald . . . 0-7
When the history of Gaelic Games in Mayo is being compiled, the annals will surely find space for the name of Padraig Brogan.
In Ballina on Sunday, P. Brogan etched his name deeper into the minds of Mayo football supporters with another scoring performance deserving of superlatives. Despite carrying a little condition, his work rate over the hour was surpassed only by his impact on the scoreboard.
This was exactly the performance Knockmore needed in light of Kevin O'Neill's supremely unfortunate injury on Thursday night. They had seemingly lost their attacking gem and the responsibility weighed further upon those remaining.
The game itself, however, might not have the memory retention of Brogan's display, for in a local derby of such significance, proceedings were decidedly, and surprisingly, meek at times.
In many ways, the result of this semi-final would be determined by the scoring prowess of Messrs. Brogan and McDonald, the County Senior star forward.
McDonald was to be edged out narrowly by Brogan in this encounter, and ironically the one point difference mirrored the closing gap between the sides. But that said, McDonald's contribution was immense and as well as being their only scorer in the opening half, he scored all but four of their points in the match and was a constant threat to the Knockmore defence.
Indeed McDonald was to open the scoring within ninety seconds of the start with a well-taken point on his trusted left side. Knockmore were to have a distinct advantage of the midfield battle in the first half while playing with a stiff breeze.
Kevin Staunton, accompanied in midfield by Declan Dempsey, was majorly influential in the opening half and his magnificent point from all of fifty yards restored parity as the momentum swung in Knockmore's direction.
For most of the half, it was the Knockmore forward division who ruled the roost. The sprightly Peter Cawley enjoyed early moments of dominance from his position at right half-forward and was to have a fine game. Cawley's fifth minute point was followed by a trio of Brogan scores, two from place kicks, but all as deadly accurate as the other.
McDonald clipped over a point after leading the Knockmore defence a merry dance and as well as his efforts, Michael Moyles and Paul McGuinness were also showing to good effect, although the significance of both was to wane in the second half.
On eighteen minutes a Padraig Brogan point brought four points back between the sides, a margin that was increased to five when the same man tapped' over a fifty', six minutes before the break.
Kieran McDonald stamped his authority with two scores in quick succession and Crossmolina, with the breeze bracing itself to blow at their backs in the second half, must have fancied their chances. Peter Cawley had the last say in a mediocre first half, his point re-establishing that four point gap.
Knockmore had been reasonably solid in defence during that first half. Fergus Sweeney in the right corner-back position challenged Brogan strongly for the Man-of-the-Match award, such was his display of security.
The versatile Declan Sweeney at full-back coped extremely well with his immediate opponents especially when the play be close to Pat Reape's goal. Peter Butler was again solid and played almost a midfield role in the second half.
Speaking of such, a McDonald double immediately after the resumption whittled Knockmore's lead down to just two points. With the wind still influencing the flight of the ball, Crossmolina were undoubtedly on top.
But the 0-8 to 0-6 scoreline was one that remained only momentarily, for back came a resurgent Knockmore, inevitably in the guise of Padraig Brogan. Another brace from the burly corner -forward prompted a restoration of the interval lead.
Not to be outdone, McDonald interchanged with Moyles and McGuinness before dancing his way through the Knockmore defence and a punched effort from close range had the beating of Pat Reape.
Declan Sweeney was the Knockmore hero with a diving block at the foot of the post. Sweeney suffered a recurrence of a groin injury in his attempt, but after medical attention was able to gingerly resume.
Johnny Leonard, on the Crossmolina half-forward line, was one of their better players in the second half, and apart from McDonald, was the only scorer for Crossmolina. Four second half points by Leonard came at crucial stages and kept Crossmolina in the hunt for the Moclair Cup, when they threatened to play themselves out of contention.
Brogan's final score, fifteen minutes from time, was sandwiched by two Leonard frees and as the aforementioned Knockmore star erred with a free on fifty one minutes, a point separated the sides five minutes from time with Leonard's fourth of the match.
Ray Dempsey, who had reportedly been a doubtful participant due to injury, was having a quiet game by his standards. Dempsey's most significant contribution came at a time when his services were most needed, however.
A Brogan free succumbed to the breeze and plucking the ball out of the air and kicking, all in one majestic action, Dempsey had given his club a two point cushion, at a time when they needed all the insurance they could get.
For the large attendance in Ballina, many of whom remained from the first semi-final, the excitement had reached fever pitch. Crossmolina poured forward in droves, searching for that elusive goal. McGuinness had an opportunity but failed to capitalise on the work of P.J. Loftus and McDonald. At the death a late McDonald point narrowed the margin but for the 1995 champions, it was too-little, too-late.
Gerard O'Malley, Damien Mulligan, Pat McAndrew, James Nallen, the superb McDonald, Johnny Leonard, Michael Moyles and Paul McGuinness were best for the losers.
(That other scoreline- Knockmore 0-12, Crossmolina 0-11.)
Match Stats
Knockmore: Pat Reape, Fergus Sweeney, Declan Sweeney, Liam Armstrong, Liam McHale, Peter Butler, Graeme O'Hora, Declan Dempsey, Kevin Staunton, Peter Cawley, Thomas Bourke, Joe Davis, Padraig Brogan, Ray Dempsey and Shane Sweeney.
Scorers: Padraig Brogan 0-8 - 6 frees, Peter Cawley (0-2), Kevin Staunton (0-1) and Ray Dempsey (0-1).
Crossmolina: Barry Heffernan, Fergal Costello, Liam Moffat, Thomas Nallen, Gerard O'Malley, Damien Mulligan, Pat McAndrew, Thomas Loftus, James Nallen, Kieran McDonald, Dermot Loftus, Johnny Leonard, Paul McGuinness, Michael Moyles and P.J. Loftus. Substitute: Donal McDonald for Dermot Loftus.
Scorers: Ciaran McDonald (0-7 - 1 sideline), Johnny Leonard (0-4 - 3 frees).
Bookings: Knockmore- Ray Dempsey 32mins, Padraig Brogan 58 mins. Crossmolina- Liam Moffat 34 mins.
Referee: Willie Feeley (Claremorris).
