Elphin come up just short in Connacht final
Elphin’s Martin McCaffrey saw his charges come up short by just a point. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin.
Elphin came up just short in their hopes of winning a second ever Connacht Intermediate crown as they lost out 1-7 to 1-6 against Crossmolina Deel Rovers.
Nigel Dineen’s side will rue their tally of nine wides with their Mayo foes registering just two in reply.
Elphin left themselves with a tricky assignment when trailing 0-6 to 0-1 at half time and when Niall Coggins netted in the 35th minute to move Crossmolina 1-6 to 0-2 in front, Elphin’s hopes appeared to be petering out.
Despite conceding sloppy turnovers, Elphin fought back to trail by just a goal in injury time. Fionan Duffy’s 63rd minute free proved decisive with John Finnerty’s goal from a penalty came too late to save Elphin as Christopher Ryan’s final whistle immediately followed.
The first half was a tentative and cagey affair as both sides packed their respective defences. Crossmolina showed their early intent as James Maheady and Diarmuid Fox exchanged passes before the former fired over.
As in their semi final, turnovers proved detrimental to Elphin but on this occasion they faced a more clinical outfit as a Maheady mark and score from play helped his side move three in front. Elphin had sent their first three efforts wide of the mark while Crossmolina nailed their opening trio of shots with their accuracy up front far better than their hosts.
Two Fionan Duffy scores left Elphin in trouble and even though a Fintan Cregg free got Elphin off the mark in the 27th minute, a Duffy free after Elphin coughed up possession once more saw the Mayo side lead 0-6 to 0-1 at half time.
Elphin deployed Enda Killoran further up the field in the second half and the move worked as Aaron Brady slotted a free. However, the game’s crucial score fell Crossmolina’s way as Patrick Leddy set up Niall Coggins to rifle to the net after Elphin coughed up a devastating turnover.
The Roscommon side battled away as Fintan Cregg notched two frees before his classy dummy solo helped the North Roscommon outfit grab their only score from play after 50 minutes.
Another Cregg free left the score at 1-6 to 0-6 but three poor wides from Nigel Dineen’s men hampered their chances as Duffy’s late free meant Elphin are left to reflect on what might have been.
