McDonald main man

Crossmolina ... 2-9 Knockmore ... 0-14 A goal by Kieran McDonald from a penalty midway through the second half proved crucial in Crossmolina capturing their fifth Mayo senior football title at Ballina yesterday.

McDonald also supplied the pass which set up Paul McGuinness for a 10th-minute goal to keep Crossmolina in touch, as Knockmore threatened to pull away.

Knockmore were 0-5 to 0-1 clear inside seven minutes, when McGuinness struck for the important goal.

The losers were in total command at that stage, dominating at midfield, but they still had just a one-point lead at half-time, 1-5 to 1-4, despite all their supremacy.

Knockmore increased their advantage shortly after the restart but McDonald's penalty put Crossmolina ahead for the first time since the second minute.

It was at this stage that the Nallen brothers, James and Tom, Michael Moyles and the magnificent McDonald stepped up their games.

Further points by Johnny Leonard, Joe Kane and McDonald left Crossmolina four points clear before Knockmore battled back to reduce the deficit to one point before the end.

Knockmore's dangerman was Kevin O'Neill, who again returned from the US to help his side. He kicked nine points, all from frees, the final one coming in injury time to keep Crossmolina sweating.

The man-of-the-match award was presented to McDonald who contributed 1-5 of his side's total.

The match was watched by a crowd of 5,000 and was another coup for manager John Maughan who many believe is the man to take over the county side again .

CROSSMOLINA: B Heffernan; S Rochford, T Nallen, C Reilly; P Gardiner, D Mulligan, P McAndrew; G Walsh, J Mallon; M Moyles, K McDonald (1-5); P McGuinness (1-1); L Moffatt, J Kane (0-1), J Leonard (0-2). Sub: E Lavelle for Kane.

KNOCKMORE: P Reape; P Clarke, A Higgins, J Brogan; G O'Hora, D Sweeney, J Mulligan; D Dempsey, K Staunton; K O'Neill (0-9), Shane Sweeney, Stephen Sweeney; A Butler, R Dempsey, D Munnelly (0-3). Sub: A Kilcoyne (0-2) for Butler.

Referee: M Daly (Ballyhaunis).