Sunday, June 24, 2012

Senior Football: Christopher's Lord it Over Mayo


Christopher’s 5-10 Mayo 2-7

Mayo faced a strong opponent in Christopher’s, a team with several players of top class pedigree.  Christopher’s had the game pretty much in the back by the time the first half had ended as the gulf between the teams was large.  Mayo gave a much better account of themselves in the second half, at that stage it was all the westerners could do but play for a bit of pride.

Christopher's had it relatively easy over Mayo Sunday afternoon.
Christopher’s dominated proceedings in the opening period and proved to be just too strong for the Mayo lads.  The Christopher’s defence swarmed over Mayo attacks and afforded little space for the Mayo forwards on the rare occasion that the ball found it’s way to that end of the field.  Christopher’s set the tone early with a goal in the second minute from Chris Brady.  Brady proved his worth with a slew of scores from his half forward berth in the first half.  Also on the half forward line for Christopher’s was Daithi Casey who seemed well at ease, the Dr. Crokes man broke through the Mayo defence time and again.  Gavin O’Grady in the corner also enjoyed a healthy dose of possession and netted towards the end of the half.  Pat Delaney who lined out at corner forward added a third goal from close range as things opened up too easy from a Mayo viewpoint.  Sean Clifford and Barry McShea did what they could at the back for Mayo, but it was a good as CuChulainn fighting back the waves.  At the break Christopher’s led by a huge 3-9 to 0-2.

Mayo made a better fist of it in the second half, but the game was already gone.

Mayo may have had a glimmer of hope for better things to begin the second half after Danny McGowan put a fine point over the bar.  They were soon dashed after O’Grady won a penalty and put it away himself.  A fifth goal came soon afterwards and that was all she wrote as a contest.  Each side brought in some subs, and Mayo hit with a double strike from Colm Clifford who netted thanks to some great work from Maurice Hickey.  Right afterwards Dan McGowan finished superbly into the far corner of the net, and raised Mayo pride.  Mayo enjoyed a better return from the exchanges now, and Christopher’s lost Mark McSweeney, who had just come on as a sub, to a red card.  A lesson from the encounter is to remove ALL of your jewelry before togging out.  Christopher’s were happy to see out the clock and sat back in their own half and played out the last 5 minutes by keeping possession.  Christopher’s look like they will be in the mix again come playoff time, while Mayo will be looking for a chance of two points when they meet Cork in two weeks time. 

Christophers:  J. Kenneally, D. O’Leary, C. Murphy, P. Kenneally, B. O’Regan, T. Clancy, S. Flanagan, D. Kenneally, D. Culhane, D. Casey, C. Brady, G. O’Grady, P. Delaney.  Mayo:  B. Cassidy, L. Monaghan, S. Clifford, T. Rooney, B. McShea, M. Hickey, B. Murphy, S. Kenny, D. McNicholas, D. McGowan, D. Igoe, P. Hickey, K. McAllister. 

Rory O'Donnell 

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