Castlebar Mitchels Hurling
Castlebar Mitchels Hurling Notes 19 Feb 2007
By Michael Murphy
21, Feb 2007 - 09:20

Medal Presentation

A presentation of medals to the Mayo U21 and Minor Hurling panels of 2006 will take place on Saturday evening the 3rd March 2007 in the Welcome Inn, Castlebar commencing at 7.00pm. Presented will be the All-Ireland Minor C Winners medals, the Connacht U21B winners medals and the All-Ireland U21 runner-up medals. Donie Nealon from the HDC and native of Tipperary will be presenting the medals. All mentors and players, along with their parents are welcome. Finger food will be served.

Congratulations to the following Castlebar Mitchels players who were on the minor panel; Sean Gavin, Jarlath Sweeney, Conor Douglas, Gary Hayes, Andrew Butler while Darren Greaney was part of the management team.

Congratulations also to those on the under 21 panel; Sean Gavin, Joe Butler, Gary Hayes, Keith Staunton, Kieran Horan, Sean Kelly, and to Mark Deeley who was part of the management team.

The Suck Valley League has gone through four rounds now and after the bad start with the weather the games have begun to pick up. Mitchels suffered their first defeats at under 14 and under 16 this weekend against Athleague/Tremane.

In a keenly contested game in Tremane, Castlebar Mitchels were just pipped at the post in round 4 of the Suck Valley League. This was very much a case of a game of 2 halves.

The home opened the stronger, and pressed the Castlebar boys from the throw in. However the visitor’s defence held firm, and withstood the early pressure. Mitchels soon found their form and from a swift attack Ryan Mc Guire found the net for an excellent score. Both sides then had chances before Tony Sweeney stretched the lead with a pointed free. Goal poacher Nathan O’Malley finished the half with a well taken major to put Castlebar in a strong position 2-1 to 0-0 at half time.

The home side with wind assistance started strongly in the second half, and an early point opened their tally. The continued to press and 2 goals in quick succession brought the sides level. Both sides had opportunities to extend their tally but Athleague Tremane managed to add 2 further points before the end to inch in front.

This was a tight struggle all the way and Mitchels can be justly proud of their display. Again Barry Lane looked very assured in goals, while David Bell, Joseph Redmond, Darragh O’Malley and Bernard Kennedy played well in defence. Tony Sweeney & Shane Irwin did well at midfield & managed parity with a strong home pairing. The pick of the attack was Ryan Mc Guire, Eoin Lisibach & Nathan O’Malley and Conor Mylett.

Subs: Paul Colleran, David Costelloe, Eric Gavin, Darragh Hayes, Ashley Jensen, Daniel Loughran, Art O’Suilleabhain, Rory Quinn, Thomas Quinn-Bailie, Feidhlim Ralph, Aran Singh, Darragh Singh, Sean King, Cathal Walsh

Castlebar Mitchels continued their good form in overcoming Ballygar in Ballyvary.

In a very close opening quarter neither side could gain advantage. Mitchels were first to score with a Nathan O’Malley point, but found it difficult to add to their tally. Entering the second quarter they struck a purple patch with points in quick succession from Jamie Redmond, Ryan Mc Guire & Eoin Lisibach. Ballygar added one point in this period. Shortly before half time Ryan Mc Guire struck a great goal for Castlebar to put daylight between the sides, and to leave the half time score 1-4 to 0-1.

Both side tried to attack early in the second half but Mitchels appeared the stronger. A great strike from Tony Sweeney came back off the crossbar as Castlebar kept the pressure on. A second Ryan Mc Guire goal gave them a cushion midway thorough the half before Nathan O’Malley struck another goal to complete their tally. In a hard fought final quarter neither side could advance the score despite some good attacks leaving Mitchels winners of a hard fought game.

Barry Lane was in excellent form in goals, bringing off a couple of marvellous saves, and clearing his lines effectively. Joseph Redmond had a stormer at full back, ably assisted by Declan Howley & Darragh O’Malley in defence. Tony Sweeney & Nicholas Quinn, who moved to mid field, dominated this area and ensured the forwards got a good supply of possession. Up front Ryan Mc Guire was the star and was ably assisted by Eoin Lisibach, Jamie Redmond & Nathan O’Malley

Subs: Darragh Singh, Diarmuid Finnan, Eric Gavin, Cian Gavin, Ashley Jensen, Michael Mc Donagh, Art O’Suilleabhain, Thomas Quinn-Bailie, Feidhlim Ralph, Aran Singh, Cathal Walsh, Eoin Thornton

The Castlebar Mitchels Hurling Club extends it’s sympathies to Frank Mc Donald and family on the death of Alison and to the McDonnell family on the death of their dad Johnny. May their souls rest in peace.