High flying Westport take Mayo league title from Castlebar Mitchels

John Melvin

Defending champions Castlebar Mitchels have surrendered their Abbvie Mayo SFL Division 1 title (David Gavin Memorial Cup) to a very fit, sharp and extremely well-organised Westport side. The final score at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, was Westport 1-18, Castlebar Mitchels 0-10.

The platform for this win was erected in the first half as Westport attacked in swarms and defended in numbers, and by half-time they had built up a fully deserving 0-13 to 0-3 lead.

Castlebar never really got going in that first half as they fumbled the ball on a number of occasions, while the tackling of Westport resulted in a high turnover count as Castlebar looked ponderous and lethargic at times. Further credit must got to Westport for setting up a defence which proved to be impregnable.

Westport goalkeeper Paddy O’Malley kicked 0-5 of his side’s first-half tally, including three from long-range frees (each 50 yards plus in distance) as well as two from 45s.

Colm Moran, Mark Moran, Killian Kilkelly, Liam Shevlin and corner back Luke Tunney all scored from play, while impressive midfielder Finbar McLaughlin nailed two fine scores as well.

Ethan Gibbons scored two frees for Castlebar, opening his side’s account on 10 minutes, while Anthony O’Boyle kicked Castlebar’s only point from play in that opening half.

Mitchels looked more up for it in the second half and had matched their entire first-half tally inside six minutes, but that early revival petered out as Westport regained control of the cockpit once more, although Castlebar did kick some poor wides.

In the last of four minutes of injury time, Mayo player Rory Brickenden found the Castlebar net.

It capped a good win for Martin Connolly’s team, who seem well tuned up to have a serious crack at the championship.

Castlebar, meanwhile, have a lot of work to do as they face Charlestown in the first round of the championship in two weeks' time

Castlebar Mitchels: R. Byrne; R. Burke, J. Tuohy, J. Cunningham; J. Maughan, J. O’Reilly, C. Stenson (0-1); B. Tuohy (0-1), U. O’Reilly; S. Keane, N. Douglas, A. O’Boyle (0-1); E. Gibbons (0-5, 3f), G. Durcan (0-1), J. Durcan (0-1).

Subs used: M. Dolan for Burke, D. Newcombe for Keane, M. Fahy for J. Cunningham, F. Durkan for Stenson, K. Moylette for Douglas.

Westport St. Patrick's: P. O’Malley (0-5, 3f, 2 45s); B. McDermott, N. McManamon, L. Tunney (0-1); R. Geraghty, R. Brickenden (1-1, 1m), Paul Lambert; F. McLaughlin (0-3), J. Grady (0-1); C. Dawson, M. Moran (0-2), K. Maguire; C. Moran (0-1), L. Shevlin (0-2), K. Kilkelly (0-2).

Subs used: C. McGraynor for Shevlin, L. Keegan for J. Grady, Pat Lambert for Kilkelly, A. Kennedy for C. Moran, P. Brennan for F. McLaughlin.

Referee: L. Devenney (Ballina Stephenites).