Westport and Moycullen enter new territory in quest for Connaught title

THE experience garnered by Westport on their journey to the All-Ireland intermediate football title in 2017 will undoubtedly stand to them as they begin their maiden voyage in search of the Shane McGettigan Cup, named after the Leitrim player who died tragically in 1998 following an accident on a building site in Boston.

What is interesting, even fascinating, about the meeting of Westport and Moycullen in this Connaught quarterfinal at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, this Sunday at 1.30 p.m., is that it will be the first voyage for both teams into provincial waters in search of a senior title.

Moycullen did win only their second senior county this year by beating Salthill-Knocknacarra in the final but when they won their first title in 2020, there was no provincial competition due to the Covid-19 pandemic so this is going to be a new experience for both sides.

Having won that All-Ireland intermediate crown in 2017 the expectation was that Westport would build on that to land the club’s first ever senior title.

It just didn’t happen, not even when former Mayo manager James Horan took over the reins. Westport were unable to deliver that elusive first senior title. Until now, that is.

Quite a few players who landed that intermediate title and took part in the five-year quest for that first Mayo senior title will be on board again next Sunday so experience is not going to be a problem for Martin Connolly’s men.

Patrick O’Malley, Kevin Keane, Niall McManamon, Brian McDermott, Lee Keegan, Brian O’Malley, super sub Shane Scott, who scored that goal against Castlebar Mitchels in the Mayo semi-final, Fionn McDonagh, Paul Lambert and Oisin McLoughlin were on the starting 15 who forged that 2-12 to 3-8 win over Meath champions St. Colmcille’s on that famous day in Croke Park, two goals from Oisin McLoughlin proving crucial in an epic battle.

The return of Killian Kilkelly (son of former Mayo and Castlebar Mitchels star Brian) from a summer break in the United States has been a huge boost for Westport, scoring 1-4 in the Mayo final, while there is still a chance that county player Eoghan McLaughlin could be on the way back from injury and what a boost that would be.

Westport were well fancied this year to win that first Moclair Cup, however Ballina went in as favourites but emerged as second best to a team who were driven and just looked like they wanted it more.

As Martin Connolly said of his team after the county final: “When Ballina came back (with the goal) and levelled the game it was a real blow to the solar plexus, but we kicked on again after that which was a great sign of the team and what they are about.”

And how right he was, as Westport hit four points down to the home straight to Ballina’s single reply and I expect the bench players will once again be called up if they are to advance to the semi-final.

They are an ambitious and driven team who have fallen short in the last few years but they have an aura about them this year to suggest they can go a distance.

Just how far will be determined on getting past what is going to be a serious challenge against the Galway champions who also dug it out of the fire in their county final against a team from Salthill-Knocknacarra, managed by former Mayo and Galway manager John O’Mahony, winning by a single point, 1-10 to 1-9.

It was a gritty display from the Galway champions who were down by a goal in the first half but responded with four points on the bounce from Sean Kelly, team captain Dessie Conneely, Peter Cooke and Owen Gallagher, Conneely proving to be an accurate free taker with four of his five points coming from frees, but Westport, as they proved against Ballina, have a very solid defence.

The record of Galway clubs in this competition has been phenomenal, the colours of Corofin raised 10 times as Connaught champions, while the last Mayo team to win the Connaught title was Castlebar Mitchels who beat Corofin in the 2015 final.

Knockmore, who won back-to-back titles, reached the final last year but came up short against Roscommon champions, Padraig Pearses.

Westport will be hoping they can get their campaign off to a good start and I expect they will.

Verdict: Westport.