Memorable end to 2024 for leading Mayo GAA club

John Paul Heaney

WHAT better way for Castlebar Mitchels GAA Club to end the year on the playing field than by adding another prestigious title to their proud total, and that’s exactly what Stephen Murphy’s Under 21 side did on home turf last Sunday afternoon.

Having come down from an epic semi-final win against Claremorris the previous week, it was never going to be easy to reproduce a similar performance against great rivals Westport, but that they did in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park – and they were deserving winners on the day, making it back-to-back titles at this grade.

The only real danger point came early in the second half when Westport crashed home two quick-fire goals to turn a four-point deficit into a two-point lead, completely turning this game on its head.

However, Mitchels didn’t panic and calmly restored their confidence, not letting Westport build on these two goals and eventually, led by the outstanding Mark Cunningham (to name just one), they clawed their way back and saw themselves home.

On an emotional day, centre-forward Mark Cunningham said afterwards.

“It’s an unreal feeling to win here today as it was the last cup my late mum Annemarie was here to watch us win exactly one year ago. I said it to the boys in a huddle prior to the match, 'If you’re going to do it for anyone, please just do it for my late mum'. It means a lot for me and my family to win this again.”

The man of the match award-winner continued on the key moments in the game. “The goals were crucial today and yet we still missed a lot out there. Westport missed a few good chances too but the way our team kicked the ball in so quickly was the main target for us, and it worked.

“It’s exciting times ahead for the club with a new senior manager in place in Kevin Filan. I know his game – it’s to get the ball and kick it in. Play proper football - although with the new rules coming in now I don’t know what it’s going to be like. We’ll just enjoy tonight and worry about that another day.”

Conditions from throw-in always meant scoring was going to be difficult in the opening half, with a yellow wind warning in place. However, notwithstanding the difficulties, Castlebar led at half-time on a scoreline of 3-1 to 1-3.

Cunningham struck his side's opening goal in the fifth minute, while Callum Flynn finished to the net likewise in the 20th minute and Cian Walsh struck home the third for Mitchels right on the half-time whistle, finishing the ball to the net soccer-style.

Westport were still in it at the break thanks mostly to a splendid finish to the roof of the net by Fionn O’Hora in just the seventh minute, a score complemented by points from Darragh Hoban, Tim Carty and Conal Dawson (free) to leave them just four behind.

Castlebar then lost Shane Cunningham to injury early in the second half and conceded two goals in a three-minute period to go behind for the first time.

Cian Mulchrone and Darragh Hoban, with his second goal of the game, edged Westport clear but Mitchels didn’t hit the panic button and points by Jack O’Reilly and the hugely impressive Cian Walsh drew the sides level on 3-3 apiece with 10 minutes remaining.

Castlebar then went into a lead they would never surrender, with Eoghan Hughes raising the white flag.

A splendid 45’ by goalie Peter Basquille was followed with Cian Walsh's third point of the day, and victory was sealed on the stroke of 60 minutes when a slick passing move set substitute Joe Forry through on goal, and he didn’t miss with a crisp finish.

“It’s a very good feeling for us all and an emotional win,” outlined goalkeeper Peter Basquille, who saved a Fionn O’Hora penalty three minutes from time when his side led by just two points.

“That was the last underage game for a lot of the boys out there.

“This is two Under 21 A titles in a row, and we had two Under 19 titles in a row also. This group of players have had a magnificent couple of years and to end on a high like this is the way you want to go.”

Speaking about his penalty save late in the match, Basquille continued: “Being a member of the Mayo Under 21 soccer team along with Fionn O’Reilly, ironically at half-time in one particular soccer game he was shooting that way in practicing penalties, and I actually remembered that, so I chanced my arm and that's the way it worked out!” A relieved man.

It was then the honour of his captain, John McMonagle, to receive the trophy from the recently appointed vice-chairman of the Mayo GAA County board and proud Castlebar club member, Michael Diskin.

Castlebar Mitchels: P. Basquille (0-1 45'); B. McDonnell, J. McMonagle, K. Chambers; S. Morahan, C. Mulroy, J. O’Reilly (0-1); S. Cunningham, B. Gaughan; J. Kennedy, M. Cunningham (1-0), G. Forry; C. Walsh (1-3), E. Hughes (0-2, 1f), C. Filan (1-0).

Subs used: F. O’Reilly, P. Murray, J. Daly, J. Forry (1-0).

Westport: C. Meaney; T. Lambert, E. Canavan, C. McKeown; C. Grimes, L. Silke, L. Askin; C. Dawson (0-1f), F. O’Hara (1-0); C. Mulchrone (1-0), D. Hoban (1-1), J. Noonan; J. Holmes, T. Carty (0-1), D. Brennan (0-1).

Subs used: J. O’Malley, F. O’Hora, C. Murphy.

Referee: L. Devenney (Ballina).