Mayo GAA News 16 July 1997
Kiltimagh and Hollymount guilty of crimes against
football
Kiltimagh 1-10 Hollymount 2-6
John Melvin reports from Kiltimagh
First we had the hospital pass. Now, it seems, we have the suicide brigade. If charges could be preferred for crimes against Gaelic football, then both Kiltimagh and Hollymount would stand indicted on several counts for what passed as a championship match on Sunday.
It wasn't bad. It was a disgrace, and both teams should hang their collective head in shame for bringing what used to be a noble sport, down to such low levels.
It must also be said that matters were not helped by the liberal application of the law by referee Michael Herr. In difficult circumstances he did the best he could, but it was never going to be good enough to contain two teams who seemed hell bent on going to war rather than playing football.
The only surprise in the end was that a mere five players- three from Hollymount and two from Kiltimagh- were sent off, while seven players in all were booked. The amazing thing about this preliminary round championship re-play was that nobody was seriously injured, such was the abandon by some players in the 'tackle'.
Ironically the sending-off incidents were innocuous enough, with he umpires playing key roles in reporting off-the-ball incidents.
Four players were sent off after fifteen minutes Martin Byrne (Kiltimagh) and Mike Morris (Hollymount) while Noel Jennings (Hollymount) and Brendan Mooney( Kiltimagh) followed after the umpire reported what seemed fairly harmless off-the-ball shenanigans.
In fact, a thirteen a-side game wasn't too bad, but just before the interval, Tom Connelly was reported by an umpire for another off-the-ball altercation and his departure gave Kiltimagh the numerical advantage, something they never really gained from until the very last minute when the match-winning goal was scored by Adrian Forkan.
At the stage when the fifth player departed, P.J. Coen had edged Hollymount in front 0-5 to 0-4- but in the injury time allotted for all the stoppages, Christy Walsh, always a cool head in a tight corner, provided two great points from play and one from a free to put Kiltimagh 0-7 to 0-5 ahead at the break.
Exploded
The second half exploded to life with a tremendous goal after just two minutes from Mayo footballer Noel Connelly.
Connelly, who stood apart in terms of class and temperament, came in on the end of a good move developed by P.J. Coen and Noel Stagg, to provide a class finish.
It shook Kiltimagh. And for the next ten minutes they were on the wrack, but Hollymount were unable to finish them off, hitting three bad wides in a row.
Noel Stagg made a tremendous run to shoot for a certain goal only to be denied by a tremendous save by Peter Burke, but increasing pressure finally paid off when P.J. Coen was adjudged to be fouled by the keeper, and Ardel Jennings's was spot-on with the spot-kick.
With a lead of 2-5 to 0-7, going into the last fifteen minutes, it seemed Kiltimagh were on the way out.
Christy Walsh kept them hanging by a thread with another well taken free, but it was an inspirational point from substitute Adrian Forkan, which convinced Kiltimagh they still might have a reason to live.
And when inspirational midfielder Ger McNicholas picked off another great point to leave just the minimum between the sides, with eight minutes remaining, Kiltimagh kept a flicker of hope still burning.
It seemed extinguished when Jarlath Jennings scored Hollymount's only point of the second half with four minutes remaining.
However, a raid down the right flank saw Christy Walsh pick out substitute Damien Lavin with the most accurate of passes. Lavin took the heat before laying off the ball to the unmarked Forkan whose point plank shot was smothered by David Healy but Hollymount veteran custodian could only watch as the ball rolled into the empty net.
In defence of both sides, it must be said that what could have been an ugly post-match confrontation was defused by players from both sides who helped to calm and restrain one or two players and supporters who found it difficult to contain their frustration
Kiltimagh will now have to gather themselves for the difficult task of Moy Davitts in the quarter-final. When football was played they certainly had tremendous performances from Peter Burke, Thomas Morley, Sean Cosgrove, Shane Gilmartin, Seamus Cosgrove, Ger McNicholas, John Finn, Tommy Ivers, Christy Walsh, Damien lavin and goal-scoring hero Adrian Forkan.
Hollymount had their best players in Ollie Connelly, Ray Connelly, Noel Connelly, James Regan, Pat Ruane, Ardel and Jarlath Jennings, Noel Stagg and P.J. Coen, but in the end, football was the real loser.
Kiltimagh: P. Burke, K. Foley, T. Morley, Seamus Cosgrove, Sean Cosgrove (0-1); S. Gilmartin, T. Gallagher, G. McNicholas (0-1); J. Finn, J. Doyle, T. Ivers (0-1); C. Walsh (0-6); P. McNicholas, M. Byrne, B. Mooney. Subs: A. Forkan (1-1) for T. Gallagher, D. Lavin for P. McNicholas.
Hollymount: D. Healy, N. Jennings, M. Morris, O. Connelly, J. Regan, R. Connelly, N. Connelly (1-0); P. Ruane (0-1); A. Jennings (1-0 pen), P.J. Coen (0-1); M. Jennings, G. Stagg, N. Stagg (0-2); J. Jennings (0-2); T. Connelly. Sub: P. Walsh for M. Jennings.
Ref: M. Herr (Crossmolina).
