Sport in currane, co mayo in the west of ireland

		25/11/00
Hacky Cup AIB Connaght Football Final All Ireland U-21 Hurling Final Allianz Football League Preview GAA Briefs
	John's sports round-up and predictions
	If you would like to contribute to this section please email: johnruddy@currane.net

Hacky Cup Final

Bunnacurry 10-7
Currane 4-1
On a very chilly afternoon in Keel, Bunnacurry NS took on Currane NS in the final of the Hacky Cup.The first half was a closely fought affair with attacks at both ends, and some excellent defending by Currane kept them in touch at about three points down at half time.The beginning of the second half saw the larger and more proficient Bunnacurry team putting the squeeze on. Despite valiant defending by Currane, a flurry of goals and points put the result beyond doubt.Currane did not lose heart and came back strongly in the last quarter with some good scores. Had it not been for the quality of the Bunnacurry keeper the score would have been somewhat closer.
It was a very entertaining game and a credit to both teams who should be proud of themselves.

Crossmolina Champions Again
AIB Connaght Club Football Championship Final

Crossmolina 1-10
Corofin 0-5
Crossmolina made history last Sunday by becoming the first Mayo side to win two Connaght Titles back to back, outclassing the 1998 All Ireland Champions all over the pitch. The game began with both sides wanting to stamp their authority on the match, which is exactly what they did. Derek Reilly of Corofin broke his Collar Bone after just 30 seconds of the game, then Crossmolina's ace forward Kieran McDonald followed him with a rib injury. But the loss did not halt Crossmolina's stride, Liam Moffat replacing McDonald in the forward line.Crossmolina dominated midfield and took their chances although it was not until the 11th minute that they registered their first point of the game scored by Johnny Leonard. Corofin struggled to find their feet with Deel Rovers defence showing no flaws. Micheal Moyles was excellent in the forward line creating a lot of chances and after seventeen minutes he created a chance for Liam Moffat who fisted the ball into the back of the net to register the only goal of the game. Peader Gardiner was also excellent in the forwards.Corofin lifted themselves for a while due to the shock of the goal. Alan O'Donavan scored Corofins first point from a free kick but Moyles and Gardiner Stretched the gap to 5 points. Before half time Corofin clawed back a point courtesy of Micheal Donnellan to leave the gap at half time at 4 points.Corofin's hopes of changing the game around in the second half were dashed by Moyles and McGuinness who at this stage had the game wrapped up. After 42 minutes Crossmolina lead by 8 points. Johnny Leonard and Damian Mulligan knotched up a few more points for Deel Rovers and Paul McGuinness put the icing on the cake three minutes from the end with the last score of the game. Crossmolina now face Ulster Champions Bellaghy in the All Ireland Semi- Final but they must improve on their shooting tally which was very high.
Crossmolina:
B. Heffernan, S. Rochford, T .Nallen, C. Reilly, P. McAndrew, D. Mulligan (0-1), F. Costello, J. Nallen, M. Moyles (0-3), T. Loftus, K McDonald, P. Gardiner (0-2), P. Mcguinness (0-2), E. Lavelle, J. Leonard (0-2)
Subs: L Moffat (1-0) for McDonald, G Walsh for Loftus, D O'Donnel for Reilly, P Whittaker for Rochford.

All Ireland U-21 Hurling Championship Final

West-Meath 0-11
Mayo 0-4
Mayo were outclassed by West-Meath last Sunday at Hyde Park, Roscommon. They struggled to break down the West-Meath defence and forwards Derek McDonnell, Ger McDonnell, James Hogan and Paul Broderick didn't get a chance at goal.Mayo didn't get their bearings in midfield at all, changing the line up before half-time to bring in Stephen Broderick, but while he made an impact for a time,t West Meath soon marked him out of it.Mayo defence played well with Paddy Barrett, Pat Freyne and Seamus McGlynn all making big impacts. Aaron Farrell caused his marker so much trouble his marker was substituted.Mayo had the wind in their favour in the first half but West-Meath still led by 5 points at half time. In the first ten minutes in the second half Mayo went to 7 points down but held West-Meath to a single goal for the rest of the game.Mayo should feel proud for getting this far and it's a view of the future of Mayo Hurling.

Allianz National Football League Preview

Mayo travel to O'Moore Park in Portlaosie this Sunday to play Laois. Mayo, who had an excellent game a fortnight ago, may have the Crossmolina Connaght Champions in their panel this weekend with Moyles and Nallen expected to travel with the team. Kieran McDonald will be missing though due to an injury he picked up last Sunday which, although it is not supposed to be serious, means he will be rested as a precaution. No changes are expected to be made to the team which defeated Fermanagh, with Loftus and McNicholas expected to retain their places in the team. Laois on the other hand have had a poor star to the competition, losing their opening games to Cavan and Derry. Laois are under new management and are still experimenting with their squad. My prediction for the match is a Mayo win and if they play as well as they did against Fermanagh I can't see them having a problem.

GAA Briefs

Kilmeena defeated Balla by 3 points to win the County U-17 Football League Final.
Ballahadereen defeated Castlebar by 5 points to win the County U-15 Football League Final.
Carnacon defeated The Neale by 1 point in the Mayo Ladies U-16 Football Championship Final.
Garrymore defeated Crossmolina in the Mayo Ladies Junior Football League Semi Final.
Rice College, Westport defeated St Brendans, Belmullet in the Connaght Colleges first year Football League.

Currane.net is the community web site for people of Currane, their friends and relatives, and anyone with an interest in the Currane area.
Currane is near Achill Sound, Co Mayo in the west of Ireland and is also known as Corraun or Corrán.