Crosserlough had to battle hard for success

A goal scored after eight minutes by Crosserlough’s Raymond Reilly proved to be the difference between these two sides in Plunkett Park, Kilnaleck on Saturday evening, 28th of April in this Cavan SFL Division One game.

This match which marked Ray Gallagher’s first home appearance for Crosserlough and also the return of former Crosserlough team-manager Gerry O’Rourke who is now guiding Ballyhaise’s fortunes was tainted by the dismissal of two Crosserlough players.
In a game which was by no means dirty referee Sean Smith dismissed former county star, Philip Smith near the end of the first- half and Jarlath O’Reilly with ten minutes left in the second half.

With a numerical advantage of two Ballyhaise could not penetrate the home defence and the Kilnaleck based team held on courageously for victory.

County senior player Rory Gallagher settled well into his home debut and had Crosserlough ahead by 0-3 to 0-0 within three minutes. Fellow county player Jonathan Crowe added a free and when Raymond Reilly ghosted in behind the Ballyhaise defence to find the net the visitors found themselves seven points down after eight minutes. Stephen Smith opened the visitors account after eleven minutes and two further points from Rory Gallagher were cancelled out by two Smith frees. The half time score was 1-6 to 0-3.

Ballyhaise fought hard to get into the game after the break and mainly due to the accuracy of Stephen Smith had the difference between the teams down to four points with 10 mins to go.

The loss of Jarlath O’Reilly left the home team to play out the remainder of the game under constant pressure but showing fine determination and a great work ethic they held out bravely. Their only concession was a free by Stephen Smith in the 28th minute.
It was a relieved home team who were glad to hear the final whistle after three minutes of time added on.

Crosserlough – K. Duffy, O. Costelloe, D. Cronin, J. O’Reilly, M. Rehill, J. Crowe (0-1), J. Higgins (0-1), D. Gaffney, P. Smith; A. O’Reilly, C. O’Reilly, D. McCabe, R. O’Reilly (1-0), R. Gallagher (0-5), N. Nulty.
Subs – E. O’Reilly (0-1), T. McEvoy and J. Lyng.

Ballyhaise – B. Maguire; B. Lyons, S. McCormack, G. Smith; K. Rooney, F. Slowey, A. Lyons; B. Kelly, C. Lyons; S. Smith (0-7), E. Costelloe, J. Donohoe; J. Brady (0-1), B. McCrudden, C. Reilly. Sub. Mark O'Rourke for Conor Lyons.

Crosserlough best in SFL Division 4 game

In a one-sided Division 4 game at the Kilnaleck venue, Crosserlough eased to a 0-13 to 0-3 victory. The home side dominated the game from start to finish against a battling Ballyhaise side who never gave up trying to the final whistle.