Castlebar Mitchels Hurling
Castlebar Mitchels Hurling Notes - 30 Jan 2006
By Michael Murphy
30, Jan 2006 - 18:05

Suck Valley League

Once again we had good success on the field over the weekend in the Suck Valley League. This weekend we played away to Mountbellew / Moylough. We got a walk over at minor level and managed to win two of the three other games.

Next week we are at home to Ballinasloe so why not come out and support. Details are at the end of the piece.

This was a game of two halfs as the cliché goes with Mitchels opening the game at pace and putting Mountbellew/Moylough under early pressure. They had the better of the proceedings in the first half with defenders Ronan Kenny, Marty Gallagher and Liam Williams standing strong. Stephen Fitzgerald and Liam Murphy were in control at midfield and Mike O’Donnell and Darren McTigue were working hard up front. Andrew Butler got Mitchels off the mark with a well taken early goal and further goals from Luke McGrath, and Liam Murphy and a brace of points from Niall McCarney put them in the driving seat by half time. Mountbellew/Moylough were slow to come into the game but a goal and a point before half time, leaving them eight points down gave them something to fight for.

The second half though turned out to be a different affair with Mountbellew /Moylough taking over control of the game. They came back hard at Mitchels and it took some cool defence from goalkeeper Michéal Clune and defenders Christy Walsh and Eoin McCarney to keep them at bay. Andrew Butler helped to steady the ship with some well taken points and second half substitutes Philip Redmond and John Cotter also chipped in. In the end Mitchels eventually held on to win by 4 points.

Mitchels had a comprehensive win in this under 14 fixture played on Sunday last in Mountbellew. They were on top from the start and led at half-time by 5-8 to 0-0. Mountbellew/Moylough to their credit never gave up and got more into the game in the second half but the result was never in doubt. Colm Morris, Daniel Loughran and Colman Munnelly did all that was asked of them in defence while up front Nathan O’Malley, Gerard Duffy and Damien Togher led the way. Scorers were T. Sweeney 1-3, G. Duffy 2-0, M. Clune 1-2, N. Quinn 1-1, D. Togher, 1-0, D. McHale 1-0, R. Byrne 1-0, N. O’Malley 0-1, F. Durkan 0-1, K. Fehilly 0-1.

Mountbellew/Moylough started this game with a wonderful goal from two ground pulls from the half-way line. They followed up quickly with a goal and a point before Mitchels got their game going. Two fabulous saves from Niall Fahey in goal kept Mitchels in the game and then a goal from Cathal Walsh brought them right back into it leaving them just 4 points down at half time.

Mountbellew/Moylough started the second half at blistering pace once again and a couple of early goals left Mitchels in trouble. Mitchels to their credit never gave up with Thomas Quinn and Brian O’Malley trying hard in defence. Two second half goals from Kevin Keena and Luke Ruddy gave them hope but they could never claw back the early lead they gave away. Next Saturday they play Ballinasloe and meet at the Sportlann at 11.15am.Team; N. Fahey, B. O’Malley, T. Quinn-Bailie, D. Costello, A. Jensen, A. Towey, D. Munnelly, A. O’Sullivan, C. Mylett, P. Colleran, K. Keena, L. Ruddy, D. Singh, C. Walsh, A. Singh, G. Robinson, A. Staunton, O. Kyne, J. Lydon.

Next weekends series of games are against Ballinasloe. The under 12s and under 16 games take place at 12 noon and 1pm on Saturday while the under 14s and minors play at the same times on Sunday.

Please inform a team mentor by Thursday evening if you are unavailable.

Under 12s – Barry Murphy or Michael Howley

Under 14s – Gerry Lane or Paddy O’Brien

Under 16s – Michael Clune or Ger Whyte

Minor – Darren Greaney or Tom Staunton

Thanks to all who joined our Club Lotto Subscribers Draw. This is so important to the smooth working of our club. Thanks also to all our club members who sold tickets.

This weeks draw was held in Mick Byrnes.

Peter Horkan spun the wheel and won €100

House Draw €20 Conrad Coghill

€20 Keith Judd

€20 Kevin Swift

There will be a club executive meeting in the Welcome Inn at 8.45pm on Wednesday evening.

Hurling History

Did you know that the Brehon Laws of the 7^th-8^th centuries A.D. touched most facets of life including hurling. Four fouls were mentioned in particular. They were 1. The Sandwich foul where two or more people jostle and shoulder one man between them; 2. The two way pull or cross swiping; 3. Throwing the hurley and 4. Lying on the ball. Interestingly all four are still part of our rules today.