Welcome Inn GAA League Focus
Mayo GAA News 4 June 1997
By John Melvin
Crossmolina looking good but Knockmore still struggling
Crossmolina produced a stunning performance to out class Ballina and stay top of division one of the Welcome Inn Senior Football League. However, near neighbours Knockmore continue to struggle, slumping to a heavy defeat at the hands of Garrymore. Davitts, the league champions finally got their first win with an impressive five point win over Balla while Castlebar continue to make progress with a good away win over Hollymount and Swinford had an impressive three point win over Ballaghadereen.
Division I
Crossmolina 2-12 Ballina 0-8
Crossmolina, who missed out so narrowly on capturing the league honours last year, looked the business in this division one tie of the Welcome Inn League when they had too much power up front for Ballina, who have weakened considerably after some early promise.
Goalkeepers are seldom given the headlines, and sometimes they might prefer it that way, but it was the goalkeeping talents of both Barry Heffernan, recently dropped form the Mayo senior panel and Ballina's John Healy, that were the talking points after this game. Both brought off a string of superb saves.
However, there was little Healy could do about the Crossmolina goals each with the name Loftus inscribed on them as Crossmolina, who tied at 0-4 each at the break began to move into a higher gear in the second half...
County ace P. J. Loftus maintained his goal scoring form while full forward Desmond Loftus also got in on the goal scoring act.
The game was evenly contested up to the last quarter at which stage Crossmolina pulled out of sight.
However, Crossmolina will be more inclined to think that Ballina were holding back a little, with their eyes firmly fixed on that championship which eluded them last year.
Crossmolina: B. Heffernan, P. McGuinness, M. Heffernan, T. Nallen, G. O'Malley (0-2); J. Nallen, P. McAndrew, N. Ryan, T. Loftus, K. McDonald (0-5); N. Convey (0-1); B. Loftus (0-1); J. Leonard (0-1); D. Loftus (1-1); P.J. Loftus (1-1). Subs: F. Costello for Mc Guinness, D. McDonald for Leonard.
Ballina: J. Healy, D. Leydon, S. McCann, S. Flaherty, D. M. Barrett, B. Heffernan, M. Reilly, L. McHale (0-1); B. Ruane (0-1); T. Tighe, D. Coen (0-1); K. Lynn (0-2); M. Tighe, S. Moffatt (0-1); M. McGrath.
Heaney turns up Swinford heat
Swinford 0-10 Ballaghadereen 0-7
Ballaghadereen were warming up in Brabazon Park more than an hour before throw in as temperatures soared on Saturday evening but in the end it was Swinford, powered by David Heaney at midfield,, who turned on the heat in this division one clash..
While three points sperate the sides in the end, Swinford could have had a much more comfortable victory had their finishing matched their outfield enterprise..
Down the middle Ballaghadereen could not match Swinford and players such as John McCallion, Alan Heaney, Kevin Keane, the maestro Dave Heaney, Declan Murtagh, James Gallagher, Paul Cunney, Eoin O'Connell and the super confident Dicy Rowley destroyed their opponents. At half time Ballaghadereen led 0-6 to 0-5 with four of their scores coming from freetaker James Mitchell. Both sides missed goal opportunities with Balla hitting the crossbar and Swinford's Mick Costello shooting wide when clean through.
Marty Roughneen put Swinford into the lead in the 15th minute and it was extended soon afterwards by James Gallagher. In the last two minutes Mitchell missed two 20 metre frees before Eoin O'Connell notched a great point from the sideline to leave the result ten points to seven.
Swinford: J. Dunne, A. McNulty, J. McCallion, J. Brady, A. Heaney, K. Keane, M. Costello, D. Murtagh, D. Heaney ( 0.1), P. Cunney ( 0.2), V. Gavin, D. Rowley ( 0.2), E. O'Connell ( 0.2), J. Gallagher ( 0.2), M. Roughneen (0.1).
Ballaghadereen: J. Mitchell (0.5), S. McGreavy (0.1), J. Tuoghy (0.1).
Division 2
Ballintubber 1-11 Bonniconlon 1-10;
Lacken 2-10 Mayo Gaels 3-7;
Westport 2-10 Ballyhaunis 1-5;
Louisburgh 3-16 Aughamore 1-5.
Division 3
Breaffy 0-14 Killala 0-10
Breaffy picked up two valuable points in this division three clash with a four point win over Killala.
Breaffy scorers were P. O'Brien 0-5; S. Grealish, R Fahey and M. Fahey 0-2 each; K. Walsh, C. O'Reilly and G. Jennings 0-1 each.
Breaffy: A. Cunningham, s. McCormack, J. Connor, C. Coghill, R. Doyle, P. O'Brien, M. Fahey, K. Walsh, R. Fahey, C. O'Reilly, D. Jennings, S. Grealish, G. Jennings.
Other results over weekend:
Killala 2-10 Parke 0-11
Carramore 0-10 Lahardane 1-6
Ballycastle 1-11 Ardagh 0-7
Kilmovee 4-8 Belmullet 0-11.
Division 4
Crossmolina double-up
Crossmolina 1-4 Ballina 1-6
Crossmolina made it a weekend double win over Ballina when they junior side picked up the points in this division four clash.
Crossmolina: D. Hughes, P. Howley, A. Heffernan, V. O'Boyle, P. Mangan, P. Flynn, M. Lavelle, M. Moyles (0-1); D. McDonald (0-1); J.G. Loftus (0-1); P. Loftus (0-1); J. Keane (0-7); F. O'Boyle (1-1); B. Lavelle, D. Gallagher. Subs: A. Commins for M. Lavelle, K. O'Malley for J. Loftus, H, Hegarty for B. Lavelle. Ballina: D. Reilly, H. Ruane, M. Kelly, B. Holmes, C. Rowe, E. Gilvarry, D. Barrett, K. Rowe (1-0); E. Keane (0-1); P. J. Gillespie (0-5); M. Coen, J.P. Reilly (0-1); D. Meade, O Ginty.
Other results:
Islandeady 3-10 Ballycroy 1-8
Glenamoy 2-7 Moygownagh 1-12
Ardnaree 0-15 Kilfian 1-10
Knockmore 1-12 Garrymore 1-7
Crossmolina 1-14 Ballina 1-6
Claremorris 3-9 Westport
3-8
Ballinrobe 3-9 Ballaghadereen 3-8
