Castlebar Mitchels Win Hurling Féile 3 in a Row

Castlebar Mitchels  3-3
Tooreen     1-1

Castlebar Mitchels hurling club, who for nearly two decades had not won a county title of any description, won their third under 14 Féile title in a row, when they beat Tooreen in Ballyvary last Monday. The blustery conditions made hurling difficult and in the first half Mitchels had the benefit of the strong wind.

They got off to a good start when Nicholas Quinn pointed a 30 yard free and shortly after Eoin Lisibach took a great point on the run. At this stage Nicholas Quinn and Shane Irwin were on top in midfield and anything slipping through was being swept up by Colman Munnelly, Darragh O’Malley and Bernard Kennedy. Shane Queenan, Jamie Redmond and Tony Sweeney were working hard in the forward line and a high ball in towards the goal by Sweeney was flicked on in the air for a delightful goal by Nathan O’Malley.

Tooreen dug deep at this stage with Daniel Folliard, Conor Henry and the Boland brothers coming deep to win ball. They managed to work some ball up the field into good positions but a mixture of good defending and the strong breeze frustrated their best efforts. Mitchels went through a long spell without scoring until the wind carried a long high ball in towards the goal that deceived John Judge in the Tooreen goal and went into the top corner of the net. Tony Sweeney followed this up with a well taken point on the run and the half time score left Mitchels up by nine points.

Most of the half time banter among the fans wondered if nine points in the conditions would be enough. Tooreen came out in the second half and an early point from Kevin Lynch from a free started their comeback. But they hadn’t reckoned on a wonderful Mitchels defence. Directed by goalkeeper Barry Lane the full back line of Declan Howley, Joseph Redmond and Lawrence Kenchington were magnificent. They coped so well with the high ball coming in and when it came low they were out in front. Ahead of them Bernard Kennedy stopped and cleared an amount of ball while Nicholas Quinn was everywhere.

With 10 minutes to go we were treated to the goal of the day when a high ball sent in by the hard working Ryan McGuire was doubled into the net by Eoin Lisibach. It was a tremendous strike worthy of Sheflin or D.J.. Tooreen continued to battle away and Tomas Murphy pulled a goal back for them shortly after, but the Mitchels tightened up their defence again and weren’t really threatened after that.

Mitchels were the stronger team overall but Tooreen showed some lovely touches throughout the game. Some of the highlights of the game were the wonderful batting of Shane Irwin, the striking of Nicholas Quinn, the overhead striking of a number of players and the disciplined defence of the Mitchels rearguard especially in the second half.

Luke Fitzmaurice presented the cup afterwards to Joseph Redmond, captain of the Mitchels team. He complimented both teams and their mentors, parents and supporters and wished them well in the All Ireland Féile in Kilkenny. He also thanked referee Gerry Kilbride and the Ballyvary club for their wonderful facilities. Mitchels now will be preparing for their trip to Kilkenny where they will be hosted by the Killinacow club.

Mitchels Team; Barry Lane, Declan Howley, Joseph Redmond, Lawrence Kenchington, Colman Munnelly, Nicholas Quinn, Bernard Kennedy, Tony Sweeney, Shane Irwin, Shane Queenan, Eoin Lisibach, Darragh O’Malley, Nathan O’Malley, Ryan McGuire, Jamie Redmond, Kevin Keena, David Bell, Brian Collins, Paul Colleran, Diarmuid Finan, Eric Gavin, Cian Gavin, Sean King, Daniel Loughran, Conor Mylett, Art O’Suilleabhain, Eoghan Quinn, Tomas Quinn-Baille, Darragh Singh, Cathal Walsh, Feidhlim Ralph.

Seniors begin Championship
The Mitchels senior team got their championship season under way when they went down to County champions Ballyhaunis on a 0-13 to 0-7 scoreline in Castlebar on Saturday evening. Playing against the breeze in the first half they battled hard with both defences getting on top and at half time there was just 2 points between the teams. In the second half some missed chances let Ballyhaunis off the hook and they gradually began to pull away. The Mitchels lads hung in there but just couldn’t get the goal they needed. Three of our minor team Andrew Butler, Conor Hayes and Conor Douglas made their championship debuts and played very well, with Andrew keeping a clean sheet.

Parents Committee to run Race Night for underage hurling
Last year our Parents committee ran a very successful Race Night for underage hurling and this year they hope to do likewise. They are asking for your help in making the venture a success. You can help by buying a horse, sponsoring a race, getting some of your friends or neighbours to do likewise and by coming along as a punter or a helper on the night. The Race Night will be held in Coady’s Bar on Friday night June 8th starting at 9.30pm.

Mayo U-14 Development Panel
The following Castlebar Mitchels players have been chosen for the Mayo U14 Hurling Development Panel for 2007. The Development Panel players will take part in the Connacht Feile in June and will also take part in the Connacht-Leinster Development Blitz in September. All players are requested to be at Ballyvary Community Grounds on Saturday 26th May at 10.30am for the opening coaching session. The players are as follows: Darragh O'Malley, Tony Sweeney, Barry Lane, Bernard Kennedy, Joseph Redmond, Jamie Redmond, Ryan McGuire, Laurence Kenchington, Declan Howley & Nathan O'Malley.
 
Watch out for Ronan
Ronan Byrne (Snugboro NS & Castlebar) has been chosen to participate in the Cuman na mBunscoil Hurling Go-Games Exhibition game at half time in the Mayo v Galway Connacht Championship match in Pearse Stadium, Galway on Sunday next 20th May. The players were chosen from their exploits in Cuman na mBunscoil Hurling competitions and from their dedication to hurling with their clubs.

Connacht U-12 Hurling Blitz
The Connacht Club U12 11-a-side Ground Hurling Blitz takes place in Padraig Pearses Grounds in Woodmount, Ballinasloe on Saturday 26th May commencing at 11.00.

Training
There is training on Wed evening for under 8, 10, 12s at An Sportlann at 6pm.
Under 14s  Monday & Wed from 6pm to 7.30pm in Davitt College and on Sunday mornings 11.30am to 1pm
Under 16s Monday & Wed at 6pm at An Sportlann
Seniors and under 21s Mon, Wed and Friday at 7.30pm at An Sportlann.

Camogie
Interested in playing Camogie for Castlebar Mitchels.
Underage Camogie training on Tuesdays & Thursdays 5.30pm to 7pm in Davitt College.
Hard luck to the under 14 camogie team who went down to East Mayo in the Mayo Féile final. The team got off to a bad start but gave everything they had and can be proud of their efforts. Training continues at the usual times for the championship games.
Team; Aisling Towey, Anna Brizay, Grace Leonard, Siun ní Dhomhnaill, Orla O’Hara, Katie Lane, Michelle Keane, Helen O’Malley, Amie Staunton, Leaghan Grier, Nicole Scott, Nicolina Mylett, Aisling Conlon, Sarah Prendergast, Kate Heneghan, Jade Connor, Aoife Walsh, Sarah Mulchrone, Clauda Gallagher, Sarah Barrett, Eadaoin Donnelly, Aisling Howley, Sally Maughan, Denise Mangan, Shauna Conway.

Contact People
Under 8: Fr. Michael Murphy  0857345167
Under 10: Conal O’Domhnaill 0876877489
Under 12: Barry Murphy  0868318748
Under 14: Gerry Lane  0878278705
Under 16: Michael Clune  0879685577
Under 18: Darren Greaney 0872671369
Senior:  Fr. Michael Murphy  0857345167
Club Coach: Ger White  0863520671
Chairperson:  Tony Stakelum  086 8586842