Castlebar Mitchels U12 hurling team had an encouraging win over Galway opposition last weekend. Abbeyknockmoy, from outside Tuam, were the visitors to Castlebar. The Galway outfit had inflicted a heavy defeat on Castlebar earlier this year, running out winners by 16 points. However, the tables were turned last Saturday, with the Mitchels lads running out comfortable 8-5 to 3-3 winners, for a 17 point winning margin.

Indeed, if it wasn't for the heroics of the Abbeyknockmoy goalkeeper, surely one of the best ever seen at this age group, the margin would have been higher. At the other end of the field, Abdullah Abassi, playing his first game for Castlebar, did extremely well in goal. The home defence was marshalled by the excellent Diarmuid Finnan at full-back. In the middle of the field, the blocking of Ashley Jensen was a joy to watch. His midfield partner, Kevin Keena, had the ability to break tackles , drive forward and deliver quality ball into the full forward line, leading to many scores for the inside trio. Up front, the strength of Conor Mylett, at full forward, was too much for the Galway lads to handle and he bagged a few goals. Perhaps the goal of the day came from a swift ground stroke by wing forward, Luke Ruddy, from 15 metres out. Particularly pleasing was the taking of points from far out towards the end of the game, by which time the earlier goals had done the damage.

Castlebar : Abdullah Abassi, David Bell, Diarmuid Finnan, Eamonn Kennedy, Brian Flannery, Ashley Jensen, Thomas Quinn, Feidhlim Ralph, Kevin Keena, Daragh Hayes, Cathal Walsh, Luke Ruddy, Aran Singh, Conor Mylett, Dara Singh, Ronan Byrne, Conor Fahey, Ciaran Fahey.

Calling all U12 players to training

With the U12 championship commencing this week, it is important that all players attend training every Monday and Wednesday. The first match for the B team takes place this Friday, September 1, at home against Ballyvary. The second match is away to Westport on Saturday week, September 9. Meanwhile, the A team commences at home on Friday week, the 9th, with Ballyhaunis providing the opposition.

Like the Cork seniors, this year will see Castlebar attempt the three-in-a-row of county U12 A titles. Indeed, the club will also defend the B title it won last year, in the inaugural year of the competition. So there will be plenty of hurling during September - right to the end, we hope.

Ten Castlebar Mitchels players were in action with the Mayo U15 Hurlers recently in the Leinster U15 Development Blitz held in Trim GAA Grounds, Co. Meath. The Mayo side were in action against Louth, North Dublin, Meath and Antrim, registering a victory over Louth in the opening game by 2-3 to 0-3. Their second game against North Dublin saw Mayo display their best hurling of the day before being pipped by a Dublin goal with the final puck of the game on a scoreline of Dublin 3-2 to Mayo's 0-10. Their concluding games finished Meath 2-4 Mayo 1-2 and Antrim 3-7 Mayo 0-4. The Mayo side gained much experience from the event and will look forward to meeting these sides again in future years. The Mitchels players involved were Darren McTigue, Rory Byrne, Niall McCarney, Marty Gallagher, Phillip Redmond, Christopher Walsh, Michael Clune, Liam Williams, Vincent O'Brien and Stephen Fitzgerald.

Congratulations to the Mayo minor hurling team who won the All-Ireland C championship final on Saturday last in Garrison against Tyrone. Special congratulations to Mitchels players Jarlath Sweeney, Sean Gavin, Conor Douglas and Garry Hayes and to team manager Darren Greaney.

After a summer of Hurling on the Green behind them the under 8s start training again on Wednesday evening at 6pm in An Sportlann.