Castlebar Mitchels retain Mayo Division 1 title in night of high drama

John Melvin

Not even Alfred Hitchcock himself could have produced a script filled with such drama and suspense which had the crowd on the edge of their seats as they watched the thriller that unfolded at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, on a beautiful August Saturday evening. Extra-time was needed to finally separate Castlebar Mitchels and Westport in a thrilling county senior league Division 1 final, the county town team winning by 2-16 to 0-21 in the end.

The game – which finished all square at 1-13 to 0-16 at the end of normal time – almost had a repeat ending to the dramatic championship semi-final when the sides met in last year's championship semi-final, Westport stealing the food from the mouth of Castlebar on that occasion with a late goal to book their place in the county final – and lightening almost struck in the same place for a second time.

However, goalkeeper Peter Basquille produced an amazing point-blank save to deny substitute Conor McGaynor a certain goal to win the match in normal time, although the point which came off that save was to prove critical in keeping Westport breathing.

Leading by a point, Castlebar were turned over as they sought an assurance point but Luke Tunney’s late, late point score sent this one into extra-time.

Westport ended with a one-point lead at the end of the first period, 1-14 to 0-18, having scored two points to Castlebar’s one.

With just over two minutes remaining in the second period of extra-time, Westport had one hand on the League Cup (David Gavin Cup) when they extended their lead to three points but there was another twist in the tale of this remarkable game match as Bob Tuohy pounced on mistake by Westport defender Luke Tunney. Touhy, who had a superb game, fired a bullet to the net to tie the game at 2-15 to 0-21, and a penalty shootout now was seemingly inevitable.

However, Mitchels had time for one last throw of the dice and Anthony O’Boyle might well have scored himself had he not been fouled. Ethan Gibbons nailed the free from 35 yards to bring his tally for the night to 0-5, thus ensuring Mitchels retained their league title.

Having led at half-time by 0-11 to 0-6, Castlebar must have wondered how they found themselves in a situation where they were clinging on for dear life at one stage but the answer to that rests with a tremendous comeback by Westport, who, despite being hit by that Ultan O’Reilly goal four minutes into the second half, nailed the next six points to draw level (1-11 to 0-14), three of those coming from inspirational substitute Colm Moran, while Mark Moran, Killian Kilkelly, Oisin McLaughlin and Ray Walsh were making their presence felt on the scoreboard.

Anthony O’Boyle fisted a point to restore Castlebar’s lead as the game turned for home, and it looked like the league champions would settle the issue in normal time when Touhy added a fine point to put them two ahead, but Westport hit back with two late points from McGaynor and Tunney to send the game to extra-time – and that was a story of missed opportunities by both sides until that unfortunate error by Westport was punished by Tuohy’s brilliant finish and Gibbons' late free.

Castlebar Mitchels: P. Basquille; D. Conlon, J. Tuohy, M. Dolan; P. Durcan (0-2), J. Cunningham, D. Newcombe (0-1); B. Tuohy (1-2), M. Fahy; U. O’Reilly (1-1), N. Douglas (0-2, 1 45'), A. O’Boyle (0-2); E. Gibbons (0-5, 1f), P. Heneghan, M. Cunningham (0-1).

Subs used: S. Morahan, T. Waldron, R. Burke, E. Murphy, S. Keane, P. Ruddy, P. Waldron, J. O’Reilly.

Westport: P. O’Malley; N. McMenamon, B. McDermott, L. Tunney (0-1); R. Geraghty, Paul Lambert, Pat Lambert; L. Keegan, B. O’Malley (0-1); R. Walsh (0-1), M. Moran (0-3), O. McLaughlin (0-2); A. Kennedy (0-4, 3f), K. Keane, K. Kilkelly (0-5).

Subs used: C. Moran (0-4), L. Shevlin, F. McLaughlin, C. McGraynor.

Referee: L. Devenney (Ballina).

A more detailed report will be published in The Connaught Telegraph print edition this Tuesday.