Battle fatigue and red card prove fatal for St Michael’s
CROSSMOLINA DEEL ROVERS 2-13
ST. MICHAEL'S 1-7
By Martin Nally at MacHale Park
FROM the highs of claiming the John Cotter Cup at Tuam Stadium a week earlier, St Michael's endured a tough afternoon in MacHale Park last Saturday as their championship involvement came to an end.
Crossmolina Deel Rovers capitalised on a controversial red card issued to St Michael's talisman, Gary Higgins, to progress to the Connacht intermediate championship final on this Sunday when they will face Elphin in Dr. Hyde Park.
There was no doubt the red card had a huge bearing on the outcome of this match. St Michael's had recovered from a slow start which had seen them trail by seven points after ten minutes to take the lead in the 26th minute. However, three minutes later, referee Ian Monaghan dismissed Higgins for an off-the-ball incident.
It was a huge, game changing moment, as Michael's failed to score for the remainder of the game while Crossmolina tagged on ten second half points to claim a clear-cut victory.
It was always going to be a difficult ask for the Galway champions to play the second half with a numerical disadvantage given their exertions over the last month. This was their fourth game in as many weeks. It was also on the back of an epic battle with Caltra where the city out eventually regained their senior status thanks to an extra time victory over the north Galway club in a replay.
The toll of that victory was evident for all to see before the ball was even thrown in last Saturday. Despite being named in the original starting fifteen, the quartet of Conal Gallagher, David Cunnane, Ethan Foiorentini and Frank Daly were all deemed not fit enough to start. In came Jack Browne, David Hurley, Ronan Mac Giolla Rí and Gavin Summerville.
For their part, Crossmolina, came into this game with an extra week's rest but they too required a replay before they were crowned the Mayo Intermediate champions. A late Niall Coggins goal eventually saw off Moy Davitts as Crossmolina finally got their hands on the Sweeney Cup.
Pictured: St Michael's Gary Higgins, pictured in action against Rian Hennelly Ryan of Caltra, whose dismissal proved a game changer in Saturday's Connacht Club Intermediate Football semi-final at MacHale Park.