Crossmolina back in the top tier of Mayo football following meteoric rise
MAYO SUPER LEAGUE PREVIEW
AMBITION knows no bounds when it comes to a club like Crossmolina, writes Cian McNicholas.
Two successive promotions in two years have catapulted the north Mayo men up to the top tier of Mayo soccer.
Many didn’t quite for tale the rampant meteoric rise of the club, but one thing is for certain is that the team can’t stop winning.
Crossmolina’s Ian Gordon described last season’s success as a result of huge momentum. “We said last year as a squad that we were hoping to finish mid-table or hopefully in the top half of the table and then push on from there the next season. But we started winning games and the momentum kept on going throughout and fortunately we ended up winning the whole thing.”
When asked more about the importance of that momentum at the Mayo Football League launch night, Gordon stressed the necessity of the continuous hard work with the team also.
“That was our second league in a row last season, so momentum is a huge thing. Also, hard work is another factor, we always say it before every game - hard work, hard work, that will win you games always, it doesn’t matter what level of football you are playing at, those are the key principles,” Gordon reacted.
FUTURE
A big thing that Crossmolina will no doubt have to look at is the future and can they keep the rampant level of progression going at the senior level. The attitude amongst the players anyhow is certainly a positive one. The Crossmolina sharpshooter is ambitious that the club can reach even higher heights. “Teams like Ballyheane were in and around the relegation zone at times over the years and now they are flying with back-to-back Super Leagues. So we are confident that there is no reason why we cannot reach those heights one day.
“We have a lot of new young lads coming in on the A and B team. Pre-season has gone really well. Training has been very good and intense. Any friendlies we played, the team have played well in and we are still in the Connacht Shield so that gives us good game time for the lads, and also good competitive games as well,” Gordon told The Connaught Telegraph.
Speaking on the overall realistic aim for the season ahead, Gordon offered: “First of all we want to maintain our status in the Super League for next year, that is the first thing. Also, to give a good showing of ourselves, put in a good few performances and hopefully upset a few of the big boys,” laughed Gordon.
“Overall though I think everyone is looking forward to it to be honest. I can only speak for myself obviously but I do think everyone is genuinely looking forward to giving it a good go this season and embracing the challenge.”