Byrne’s last-gasp free snatches victory for Mitchels in Mayo senior championship
John Melvin
Goalkeeper Rory Byrne guided over a late free from more than 40 yards to drag Castlebar Mitchels closer to making it into the last eight of this year's Connacht Gold Mayo senior football championship.
In this second round Group 4 game at Josie Munnelly Park, Castlebar Mitchels finally came to life in the final quarter as Aghamore looked poised to cause an upset when Conor Kilkenny found the back of the home side's net to edge his side into a 1-6 to 0-7 lead with just five minutes of normal time remaining.
However, Mitchels, who looked to be heading for a defeat and the possibility of not making the knockout stages of the championship, hit back less than two minutes later with a magnificent goal of their own, Neil Douglas firing to the net after he picked up a great pass from Conor Stenson.
That shot Castlebar into a one-point lead but a draw looked the order of the day when David Kenny levelled the match.
But there was more drama to follow, with both sides missing opportunities to win the game before deep into the six minutes of injury time, Rory Byrne stepped up to fire home his second free of the evening to push Mitchels on to three points in the group following their opening round draw with Knockmore.
The first half was very much a defensive game, with both sides playing it very cagey. It was Castlebar who led by 0-3 to 0-1 after eight minutes, Douglas on target with a free and from play, Ethan Gibbons also adding a free.
However, Castlebar didn’t score for the next 22 minutes, Conor Stenson’s point bringing them on level terms at 0-4 a piece at the break as Aghamore tacked on points from Liam Lavin, Sean Óg Tighe, Fergal Boland (free) and Brendan Harrison.
Mitchels' third round game will be against Ballyhaunis, with Knockmore (who face a trip to Ballyhaunis tomorrow) taking on Aghamore at the same time. Both games will be played in neutral venues.
Elsewhere in the senior championship, in Group 3, Garrymore made up for their narrow defeat against Belmullet in round one by securing a convincing win at home under lights against The Neale last night (Friday).
Weeks and months of arduous work by club officials – led by chairman Danny McHugh – paid off and Garrymore were hugely rewarded as perfect weather conditions encouraged a huge attendance to assemble for this momentous event, the club's first ever championship contest under lights. And the home faithful were left with much to admire as Garrymore secured a 1-13 to 0-6 victory over their south Mayo rivals, Jamie Oates with the goal in the early stages of the game.
This evening, Breaffy were looking for a reaction after a narrow at home to Ballina in the first round when travelly to Balla for a round two clash in Group 1. They got the win they wanted with a workmanlike performance, a superb goal minutes into the second by Matthew Ruane being the key moment in the game. Breaffy emerged victorious on a 1-12 to 2-6 scoreline.
There was one game in Group 2 of the senior championship this evening as Charlestown put the harrowing opening round defeat at the hands of champions Westport fully behind them by securing a hard fought 2-13 to 0-15 win over Claremorris.
In the Egan Jewellers intermediate championship, Bohola Moy Davitts came out on top of a Titanic battle at home to Crossmolina this, virtually ensuring their place in the quarter-finals. A goal in the first minute of injury time by full-back Tadhg Ruane’s made sure of the victory for the home side.
Elsewhere there was wins for Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin over Islandeady (2-13 to 1-11), Davitts over Bonniconlon (0-11 to 0-8) and Ardnaree over Kiltimagh in a high-scoring encounter (2-19 to 2-8).
Finally, there were two games in the TF Royal Hotel & Theatre this afternoon, with victories for Lahardane and Swinford over Ballycroy and Moygownagh respectively.