Aghamore vs Crossmolina (CT)

 Aghamore 1-14

Crossmolina 0-17

Eoin Horkan

Aghamore 

Aghamore and Crossmolina shared the spoils in dramatic fashion on Friday evening when goalkeeper Adam Byrne came to the home side’s rescue with a sensational late equaliser.

The Aghamore custodian showed nerves of steel to come forward in the dying moments and split the posts from inside the two-point arc, cancelling out an Oisín Deane score which had looked certain to give Crossmolina a precious victory.

It was Aghamore who laid down the early marker and they were quickly into their stride.

Cillian Mooney opened the scoring before Brendan Harrison who  was deployed closer to goal, a move which immediately yielded dividends as the Aghamore forward struck twice.

Liam Lavin also found the target as the hosts established a five-point advantage during a dominant opening spell.

Crossmolina eventually settled and Conor Loftus got them off the mark with a typically assured effort.

The home side remained on the front foot, though, and Tom O’Flaherty added another point as they continued to cause problems for the visitors’ defence.

The east Mayo  side then delivered the game’s decisive goal.

A high ball into the Crossmolina defensive area  was contested by Derry’Óg Cox, who secured possession before finding the net and putting Aghamore in a commanding position.

To their credit, Crossmolina did not allow the setback to derail them.

Mahedy converted two frees before captain Mikie Loftus added an excellent point from play, giving the visitors renewed hope heading towards the interval.

Crossmolina carried that momentum into the second half and, with the wind at their backs, began eating into Aghamore’s lead.

Another Mahedy free was followed by an important score from Kevin Mulhern, who ventured forward from full-back to leave just three points between the teams.

Aghamore responded when James Lyons and Harrison found the range, while Jack O’Connor also registered as the home side restored some breathing space.

Lavin then struck for his third point of the evening as Aghamore appeared to have weathered the storm.

Crossmolina, however, remained firmly in contention.

Diarmuid Coggins landed a valuable two-pointer before Mahedy converted yet another free, cutting the deficit to the minimum.

The game had now developed into a tense and increasingly open affair, with both sides sensing an opportunity to take control.

Aghamore centre-back Conor Hunt stepped forward to register an important score, but Crossmolina immediately replied through Conor Loftus, who also found the target for two points and once again left the bare minimum separating the sides.

Tempers then flared as Crossmolina substitute Patrick Leddy was dismissed following an off-the-ball incident involving Harrison.

Despite being reduced to 14 players, Crossmolina refused to surrender their challenge.

Mahedy continued to punish Aghamore from placed balls and another successful free brought the sides level.

The Crossmolina marksman then edged his side in front, but Aghamore responded with Lavin restoring parity as the clock moved towards the final whistle.

With the contest deep into added time, Deane looked to have won it for Crossmolina when he fisted over to put the visitors ahead once more.

There was still time for one final piece of drama.

Byrne left his goal and took responsibility from distance, firing over a superb two-point score to bring the sides level and complete a remarkable ending.

Having surrendered a five-point early advantage, Aghamore will feel they had chances to close out the contest. Crossmolina, meanwhile, can take considerable credit for their recovery and for battling to the brink of victory despite finishing with 14 men.

Ultimately, neither side could be separated, with Byrne’s late intervention ensuring an entertaining and hard-fought encounter ended all square.

Aghamore:Adam Byrne(0-1f);Conal Breslin,Brendan Harrison,Justin Kelly;James Lyons(0-1),Conor Hunt(0-1),David Kenny;Oisin Greally,Sean Óg Tigue;Michael McNeive,Liam Lavin(0-4),Tom O’Flaherty(0-1);Derry Óg Cox(1-0),Jack O’Connor(0-1),Cillian Mooney(0-1).

Subs Used:Ross Egan(0-1) for Derry Óg Cox, Conall Hession for Justin Kelly.

Crossmolina:Patrick Loftus;Sean Óg McGuinness,Kevin Mulhern(0-1),Matthew Gordetsky;Mikie Loftus,Conor Lotus(0-3 1 2p),Aaron Coggins;Josh Moyles,Cillian Fergus;Dylan Flynn,Oisin Deane(0-1),Diarmuid Coggins(0-3 1 2p);Diarmuid Walsh,James Mahedy(0-8 6fs),Niall Coggins.

Subs Used:Patrick Leddy for Diarmuid Walsh, Darragh Mikie Loftus.

Referee Garryowen MacMahon (Davitts.)