First half goals decisive as Croan's overcome Aidan's

Two first-half goals, scored by Eamon Towey and Brian Mullin, proved the critical scores in this Roscommon SFC relegation play-off at Knockcroghery on Saturday evening last, as St. Croan's assured themselves of senior football in 2012 against a weakened St Aidan's squad. The Ballyforan side must now face Clann na nGael, with the losers facing demotion to the Intermediate status. In a game which rarely sparkled into life, despite being played in glorious weather conditions on a perfect playing surface, Sean Tormey's men still put the disappointments of a poor group campaign (losses against Kilmore, Elphin and St Faithleach's) behind them. For St. Aidan's, after losing the 2009 semi-final to eventual champions Castlerea in a match they should have won, the last two years have been especially disappointing. They survived a relegation play-off against Kilbride in campaign 2010. But, beset by emigration and injuries this year, an eminently forgettable group series brought poor reverses against Western Gaels, Roscommon Gaels and St Brigid's. And so, it was back to relegation territory again for PJ Hoey's charges as they made their way to St. Dominic's H/Q on Saturday evening. On a team where only 4 of their players - Martin Kenny, Thomas Naughton, James Coyle and Terence Kelly - lined out as per the match programme, they were further hit when Shay Galvin (corner-back), Shane Beirne (wing-back) and Mark McLoughlin (wing-forward) didn't start. And, in a bewildering series of switches, Michael Kelly (midfield), Andy Higgins (wing-forward) and John Coyle (centre-forward) came in from the throw-in. Although St Aidan's were against the slight breeze, the small crowd saw them go on the attack early on and open the scoring when Terence Kelly pointed a close-in free (second minute). When Croan's corner-forward Martin Towey equalised 3 minutes later with an excellent point on the run, there were indications of a possible humdinger in store. But such hope was doomed to disappointment for the next 15 minutes in which neither protagonist managed to raise a flag. The Ballymoe/Ballintubber Blues were particularly profligate in this regard, accumulating 5 eminently scorable wides in this barren scoring spell. But Aidan's, too, missed a few chances, including a possible goal opportunity when corner-forward Keith Waldron's effort was blocked out by Croan's custodian Vincent Egan. Thus, 20 minutes of play would elapse with only two scores posted. But a significant improvement would occur in this regard by half-time when the umpires were much busier with a nine-score flurry. Terence Kelly, with a lovely point from play, edged Aidan's ahead on 22 minutes. But it would be short-lived, as a resurgent Croan's suddenly found their scoring touch. Aided by a decided advantage at midfield, where James Connaughton and Gerard Mockler were in ascendancy, the Blues added 2-3 to a solitary point in a scintillating six-minute blitzkrieg. Points by Michael Holland, Thomas Mockler and Eamon Towey were augmented in style when Towey drove a low trajectory shot to the right corner of the net. And when Brian Mullin beat goalkeeper Martin Kenny, who had advanced off his line, Aidan's only response to this scoring spree was a 25th-minute point by David Thompson. Aidan's had earlier introduced Shane Beirne at half-back and while they subsequently recovered somewhat with two pointed frees (courtesy of Keith Waldron and Terence Kelly), those two goals left Croan's by far the happier at referee Haulie Beirne's short whistle, at which stage they led by 2-4 to 0-5. Right from the restart, Aidan's pressed forward, but a Terence Kelly wide ensued. Play ebbed and flowed, with Keith Waldron off target for the Ballyforan/Dysart side, but Croan's midfielder Gerard Mockler showed the way with a fine point from 40 metres (34th minute) to put two clear goals between the teams. Aidan's now needed to strike lethally to stay in contention and an ideal opportunity presented itself in the 38th minute, when wing-forward Paul Higgins was fouled going through - penalty! Up stepped John Coyne, but the dual player (who flagged 2-5 for Four Roads against Tremane in the SHC last weekend) saw his spotkick brilliantly saved by Croan's keeper Vincent Egan. The ball was cleared down field where James Connaughton had a gilt-edged chance of sealing it for the Blues, but his parting shot careered off the right upright and was cleared. These were two moments of rare high drama in this relegation play-off. The hard-grafting Terence Kelly was not enjoying optimum luck with his finishing. Shay Galvin then came on at corner-back (his original starting berth) for Aidan's, with Mark Higgins moving out to the troublesome midfield sector. They did reduce arrears with only the second point of the half, per Michael Kelly. But the goal they so badly needed never looked like materialising as the clock inevitably wound down. Substitute Shane Lannon and Shane Smyth added a brace of Croan's points. But while Aidan's battled away gamely and scored two further pointed frees, per Keith Waldron, it was Sean Tormey's men who, in injury time, closed out the contest with late points from Lannon and, arguably, the score of the game when Brian Mullin lofted over a superb effort. Croan's premier status was, therefore, secured - mission accomplished for the Blues. A strong defence, conceding only two points from play to their opposing forwards; control, for the most part, of the midfield area; and those two goals, were the principal reasons why Croan's prevailed. There best players on the evening were Vincent Egan, Aidan Kelly, Ross Timothy, Thomas Mockler, Gerard Mockler, Eamon Towey, Brian Mullin and Michael Holland. It's down to the wire time for St Aidan's as, in an 'all south' decider, they play Clann na nGael to determine who stays up and who takes the drop. Various factors have, to date, militated against them. But it's not too late to turn their season around. On Saturday, in a defence that was often in trouble against the 'Twin Tower' Croan's threat, Thomas Naughton (until forced off injured), James Coyle, Sean Higgins and James Kenny worked hard. Midfield, despite a variety of pairings, was never a happy hunting ground, while in attack - where it's an absolute imperative to take a much greater percentage of chances - Terence Kelly, Keith Waldron, David Thompson and Paul Higgins caught the eye. SCORERS: St Croan's: E Towey (1-1), B Mullin (1-1), S Lannon (0-2), M Towey (0-1), M Holland (0-1), G Mockler (0-1), S Smyth (0-1), T Mockler (0-1f). St Aidan's: T Kelly (0-3, 2f), K Waldron (0-3, 3f), D Thompson (0-1), M Kelly (0-1). ST CROAN'S: Vincent Egan, Alan Hurley, Aidan Kelly, Ross Timothy, Eamon Towey, Thomas Mockler, Tommy Garvey, James Connaughton, Gerard Mockler, Robbie Keenan, Brian Mullin, Gregory Grogan, Martin Towey, Michael Holland, Shane Smyth. Subs: Shane Lannon for M Towey (35); Donal O'Connell for Grogan (43); Maurice Connaughton for G Mockler (inj 58). ST AIDAN'S: Martin Kenny, Thomas Naughton, James Coyle, Mark Higgins, Sean Higgins, James Kenny, Michael Connolly, Eamon Mulry, Michael Kelly, Andy Higgins, John Coyne, Paul Higgins, Terence Kelly, David Thompson, Keith Waldron. Subs: Shane Beirne for Connolly (20); Shay Galvin for Mulry (43); Noel Galvin for Naughton (inj., 52). REFEREE: Haulie Beirne (Tulsk).