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CHARLESTOWN MOVE WITHIN A POINT OF LEAGUE SUMMIT WELCOME INN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE Charlestown . . .1-14 Moy Davitts . . .1-13 Charlestown moved to within one point of the top of Division One with a narrow win over Moy Davitts in one of the weekend's most exciting encounters. The quality of football played by these sides augurs well for a thrilling football championship, commencing on Sunday week. Early exchanges were dominated by a buoyant Moy Davitts who shot into a promising six point lead with a goal from Mervin Kneafsey, and points from Brian Joyce, Maurice Tolan, Pat Clarke and Jimmy Byrne. Charlestown showed terrific determination late in the half to narrow the gap to the bare minimum, the sharp Richard Haren, John Casey and Stephen Healy pointing before Colm Horkan's 20th minute goal proving the Sarsfields with just the fillip they needed. Brian Joyce and Pat Clarke swopped points with Aiden and Sean Higgins and at half-time it stood Moy Davitts 1-7, Charlestown 1-6. On the resumption, in what was a classic tit for tat affair, Charlestown took over ten minutes to finally get level when Richard Haren scored his second point of the half. From that point on the leadership changed hand son many occasions before a brace of Padraic Horkan points at the close sealed a narrow and important Charlestown win. Charlestown: Niall O'Connor, Robert O'Connell, Paul Colleran, Enda Casey, Aidan Higgins (0-1), Dermot Higgins, John Casey (0-2), Ollie Conway, Richard haren (0-3), Volm Horkan (1-1), Donal Healy (0-1), Padraic Horkan (0-2), Stephen Healy (0-1) and Sean Higgins (0-3). Moy Davitts: James Larkin, Pat McNicholas, Martin Neary, Thomas McNicholas, Brendan Burke, Brian Hughes, Mervin Kneafsey (1-0), Gary Ruane, Maurice Tolan (0-1), Jimmy Byrne (0-2), Frank Mulloy (0-1), Johnny Jordan, Brian Joyce (0-3), Joe Kelly (0-2), Pat Clarke (0-4). Subs: Derek O'Brien for M. Tolan. Referee: Tom McNicholas (Kiltimagh). HEFFERNAN SUPER SAVE SEALS SPOILS FOR CROSS' WELCOME INN LEAGUE Division One Crossmolina . . . 0-14 Swinford . . . 1-7 A wonderful save from former Mayo goalkeeper Barry Heffernan, five minutes from time, allowed Crossmolina to hold onto both points in this evenly contested and entertaining Welcome Inn league Division One tie. Swinford were the dominant force in the first fifteen minutes of this County Senior League tie at St. Tiernan's Park on Saturday evening last when they lead by 1-3 to 0-1. Eoin Gallagher and Johnny Leonard exchanges points in the fifth and sixth minutes. Timmy Gallagher notched up 1-2 in the next decade of minutes, the goal coming form the penalty spot when Barry Heffernan was adjudged to have fouled Sean Roughneen. This was a pick-me-up for Crossmolina who hit top form, scoring six points unanswered - one from Ciaran McDonald, three from his brother Donal, and one apiece from Michael Moyles and Noel Convey - before the interval to lead at the break, narrowly, by 0-8 to 1-4. On the resumption, Crossmolina continued to show the form which will make them one of the favourites for the upcoming senior championship when increasing their lead with scores from Paul McGuinness, Donal McDonald and Noel Convey. Timmy Gallagher ensured a tight finish with a plethora of points in the 10th, 16th and 26th minutes. Crucially, Kieran and Donal McDonald had pointed in the interim and but for a superb save from Barry Heffernan, from a Declan Murtagh shot on 55 minutes, these two sides might not have been separated. Crossmolina: Barry Heffernan, Stephen Rochford, Dermot Loftus, Colm Reilly, Gerard O'Malley, James Nallen, Thomas Nallen, Thomas Loftus, Michael Moyles (0-1), Donal McDonald (0-3), Noel Convey (0-3), Joe Keane, Paul McGuinness (0-1), Kieran McDonald (0-5), Johnny Leonard (0-1). Sub: Frances Costello for Dermot Loftus (inj.), Enda Lavelle for C. Reilly (inj.), Gabriel Walsh for Joe Keane. Swinford: John Dunne, John O'Hara, Derek Rice, Alan Heaney, Vinnie Gallagher, David Heaney, Robert McCallion, Declan Murtagh, Killian Gallagher, Paul McDonagh, Eoin Gallagher (0-1), Enda Murtagh (0-1), Timmy Gallagher (1-5), Sean Roughneen and Vinnie Gavin. Referee: Kieran Byrne (Knock). KNOCKMORE PAY THE PENALTY; SHERIDAN BACK ON FORM Balla . . .1-11 Knockmore . . .0-12 A penalty miss from Mayo forward Kevin O'Neill, in the last minute of normal time, cost his side, Knockmore, dearly, as the county champions fell to a two point defeat in Division One of the Welcome Inn League. O'Neills' penalty was brilliantly stopped by Balla custodian Charlie McNicholas, and, with Maurice Sheridan enjoying a welcome return to form from frees, Balla held on to earn much needed points. The home side started much the brighter and an early goal from Roger Clarke set them up for a promising 1-6 to 2 points lead before Knockmore had got into gear at all. But Knockmore haven't earned their stripes from allowing opponents dominate them and a resurgent close of half recovery saw them nail back a number of scores. At half-time Balla's lead had been whittled down to three points - Balla 1-7, Knockmore 0-7. Ray Dempsey and Kevin Staunton began the second half in fine style and their direct opponents in midfield - Michael Costello and Damien Ansboro - despite working hard, were finding it difficult to cope with the sheer physical strength of the two vastly experienced players. But Sheridan's scores continued to give Balla the breathing space they needed and full-forward John Dempsey chipped in with a brace of points himself. Knockmore rallied once again and just when it looked like the balance was tipping in their favour, McNicholas' superb penalty save decided where the spoils would lie. Balla: Charlie McNicholas, Neil Sheridan, Padraig Kerian, Declan Dempsey, Tom Carolan, Michéal Higgins, Ray Nally, Michael Costello (0-2), Damien Ansboro, Roger Clarke (1-0), Maurice Sheridan (0-7), Fergus Joyce, James Armstong, John Dempsey (0-2) and John Loftus. Subs: Alan Heneghan for James Armstrong and James McDonnell for Roger Clarke.
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