Match Reports Connacht Final 01/12/02

Roscommon Champion Report:

Strokestown's exciting adventure halted by crafty Crossmolina
STROKESTOWN'S odyssey reached journey's end last Sunday but when the initial stinging disappointment of defeat abates the Town will realise how far they have travelled this year. The Roscommon champions gave their all in an enjoyable Connacht club final in gruelling conditions at Hyde Park .Cornerstones of the team like Luke Dolan and Damian Donlon tried everything they knew to crown a tremendous campaign with a first-ever provincial title. Yet, in the end Strokestown had to bow the knee to a wily, battle-hardened and better-balanced Crossmolina side. The teams were level entering the final quarter and it was then the experience the Mayo champions have garnered over the last four seasons came to the fore.

AIB Connacht club football final
Crossmolina 1-11 Strokestown 0-10

Crossmolina outscored Strokestown by 0-6 to 0-2 in the final quarter. The first of those six points by Kieran McDonald was the subject of intense controversy. This reporter's view is the shot curled inside the post but Strokestown, many of whose players protested vehemently, were adamant the shot was wide and it affected their concentration. As the black and amber's focus wavered Crossmolina pounced.
McDonald, Liam Moffatt and superb wing back Peadar Gardiner edged Cross four in front. In the face of mounting odds Strokestown showed their fibre and character. With defeat staring them in the face against one of the best teams in the country they refused to wilt and kept probing for a goal that would not come. Pat Doorey's fine team have rarely been more admirable than in those closing minutes but their only reward was two frees from the brilliant Dolan. Crossmolina responded with marvellous points from McDonald and Moffatt to copperfasten their third provincial championship in four years.
A goal is worth more than three points at this time of year and Moffatt's score just before half-time, only the second goal Strokestown have conceded in seven matches, was priceless to the winners. The irony of the corner forward's strike was that it sparked Strokestown into producing their best football of the half. They scored more in two minutes of injury-time than in the previous half hour.
When Strokestown reflect on this defeat they will bemoan their first-half display. In the first 29 minutes they had only eight shots on goal despite being backed by a strong breeze.While Morgan Beirne was drilling in the type of long ball Strokestown needed, overall they didn't put sufficient pressure on Crossmolina's superb defence. The winners' half-back line mopped up possession and blunted Strokestown's attacking edge.
After Conor Silke kicked a wide in the first minute, Cross took control. Five wides, one of which looked to be a super save by Donal Hanly but was adjudged to have gone behind off the post, followed before Paul McGuinness punched the first point in the 13th minute. The highlight before that was the amusing sight of a forlorn umbrella cartwheeling across the pitch propelled by the strong wind.
Dolan equalised after 15 minutes from a 45 before McDonald slotted over a 30-metre free three minutes later. Strokestown were unlucky not to have a goal chance seconds later when Silke's shot for a point came off the post but with John Rogers lurking alone in front of goal the rebound veered away from, rather than to, the wing forward and Crossmolina cleared
In the 21st minute Strokestown brought in Leo Shiel for Pearse McGinley. Shiel went on to justify his introduction but it was surprising that McGinley was the player called ashore and the clearly furious centre forward showed his displeasure by disgarding his jersey.
McDonald shot an amazing wide from a 20-metre free before, in the 25th minute, Ronan Owens showed how Strokestown should have been playing when he collected a Crossmolina kick-out and instantly thumped a mammoth shot between the posts from 50 metres out. The Town followed up with three wides before the Mayo side applied a sucker punch in the 30th minute.
Damian Donlon may have been fouled in the build-up to the goal yet the Crossmolina forwards were diligent in putting pressure on the Strokestown backs throughout and that was epitomised by the tackling on Donlon in that incident Stephen Rochford started the move and McGuinness floated over a pinpoint centre which was easily collected to the tall Moffatt who hammered a low shot beyond Donal Hanly.
As they would do again in the second-half Strokestown showed typical resolve in first-half injury-time. The eager Silke arced over a wonderful point from the right wing and this was followed by a Dolan point from a 30-metre free and a good score from Emmet Collins who reprised his Markievicz Park heroics following a lay-off from Leo Shiel. Strokestown's scoring burst ensured parity at half-time.
The 2001 All-Ireland champions began the second-half with the clear intent of burning off the Town. McDonald's influence grew as he ranged outfield although Strokestown pulled a masterstroke of their own by bringing out Luke Dolan to bolster centrefield where the injury-hampered Derek Hagan was below par. Dolan exceeded his county final performance with a marvellous exhibition of guile and defiance. The introduction of Niall Owens two minutes into the half also paid off as he matched Moffatt in terms of physique.
However the early second-half minutes belonged to John Maughan's team as McDonald (two) and Gabriel Walsh reeled off points. Dolan replied from a close-range free after a foul on John Rogers and added another point in the 42nd minute. Four minutes later the rampant Dolan steered over a brilliant point from a free on the right wing and the game looked to be swinging towards the increasingly vibrant underdogs.
However over the years Crossmolina have learned how to get out of tight spots and they put that knowledge.to good use in the final quarter. In contrast a number of Strokestown passes went astray at vitals stages as their inexperience at his level was exposed. Yet the Roscommon side's resilience was exemplified in the 57th minute when after the move of the match, in which Strokestown transfered the ball from the left corner of their defence to within 30 metres of the Crossmolina goal with swift, accurate passing, Leo Shiel was fouled and Dolan tagged on the free.
Seconds later Shiel looked to be upended again only for the referee to wave play on. Crossmolina almost exacted a cruel retribution as the swept upfield but Hanly and Donlon made super blocks to prevent a second goal. Moffatt's injury-time point nailed down a triumph which was achieved after the most rigorous of tests.
Strokestown can leave the big stage when heads held high. They have improved in leaps and bounds as the campaign has gone on and did themselves and their county proud in the Connacht championship. Having cut their teeth against the best the team's appetite has been whetted and they have the ability to make an even bolder bid for provincial honours in the future. However they must first concentrate on retaining the county title. Strokestown are now the yardstick and those who wish to topple the champions must match their standards. That has to be good for Roscommon football.
STROKESTOWN: Donal Hanly (capt.); Damien Cassidy, Damian Donlon, Adrian Cassidy; Richard Dolan, Morgan Beirne, Emmet Collins (0-1); Ronan Owens (0-1), Derek Hagan; Shane Flaherty, Pearse McGinley, John Rogers; Kevin J. Dolan, Luke Dolan (0-7, one 45, six frees), Conor Silke (0-1). Subs used: Leo Shiel for McGinley (21 mins), Niall Owens for R. Dolan (32 mins), Ronan Shiel for Hagan (40 mins), Kenny Bosquette for K.J. Dolan (46 mins).
CROSSMOLINA: Barry Heffernan; Stephen Rochford, Tom Nallen, Colm O'Reilly; Peadar Gardiner (0-1), Damien Mulligan, Gerard O'Malley; Gabriel Walsh (0-1), James Nallen (capt.); Michael Moyles, Kieran McDonald (0-6, four frees), Enda Lavelle; Liam Moffatt (1-2), Joe Keane, Paul McGuinness (0-1). Sub used: Noel Convey for Moyles (44 mins).
Referee: Enda Stenson (Leitrim).

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