The Shane McGettigan Cup was claimed by Crossmolina on Saturday as the Mayo champions lifted their first ever Connacht club title by a convincing five-point margin. Considering Crossmolina were without their most famous son, Kieran McDonald, out for a month through suspension, this was an impressive win in absolutely dreadful conditions.
The game ultimately swung in Crossmolina's favour during two critical moments in the first half. On a day when a goal was probably worth six points, Enda Lavelle dispatched a penalty to the roof of the net after PJ Loftus, a major thorn Roscommon Gaels's defence, had forced the error.
Only moments earlier "man of the match" Barry Heffernan had dived courageously at the feet of Michael McHale to prevent a certain goal.
Joe Keane and Paul McGuinness had posted early points for Crossmolina before Lavelle's spot-kick. Roscommon Gaels's only first-half reward were two points from Fergal O'Donnell in the 14th minute followed a minute later from Gerry Kelly. Enda Lavelle added a point before the interval to give Crossmolina an interval lead of 1-3 to 0-2.
It was Crossmolina's more creative game which reaped some early rewards in the second-half and points from Joe Keane and Michael Moyles extended their lead to six points by the 39th minute.
Michael McHale and Alan Nolan came with late points for the Gaels but substitutes Gabriel Walsh and Noel Convey both hit the target within minutes of their arrival, thus firmly closing the door on Roscommon Gaels.
CROSSMOLINA: B Heffernan; S Rochford, T Nallen, C Reilly; P McAndrew, D Mulligan, G O'Malley; T Loftus, J Nallen; E Lavelle (1-1), P Gardner, PJ Loftus; P McGuinness (0-1), M Moyles (0-1), J Keane (0-2). Subs: G Walsh (0-1) for Moyles (50 mins), N Convey (0-1) for T Loftus (55 mins), F Costello for McGuinness (59 mins).
ROSCOMMON GAELS: C Grogan; O Browne, B McNeela, M Costello; M Ryan, C Heneghan, P Noone; L McNeill, F O'Donnell (0- 1); M McHale (0-1), C McDonald, A Nolan (0- 2); R Shannon, G Kelly (0-1), J Hanly. Subs: P Oates for Noone (52 mins), E Brown for McHale (55 mins).
Referee: E Stenson (Leitrim).
