In one of the finest games of hurling seen at this level for years, Castlebar Mitchels just proved a little too strong for a good Tooreen side. Conditions were perfect for hurling, with an excellent pitch and dry sunny conditions prevailing. Both sides were determined to do their utmost to bring home this coveted trophy. Each side had already one victory over their opponents this year, so it was anyone’s guess how the final was going to go. A big crowed added immensely to the occasion.

Castlebar were first of the mark with a Kevin Keena point followed soon after by another from Eoin Lisibach. Tooreen replied with a Fergal Boland point but Mitchels added two further points by Nicholas Quinn. Back came Tooreen with a point each from the Boland Brothers but a well taken goal from Lisibach edged Castlebar further in front. Tooreen replied with a further point from Shane Boland but just on the stroke of half time, Nathan O’Malley burst through for Mitchels, only to see his effort saved by John Judge, but the inrushing David Bell flashed the rebound to the net to give Castlebar a 2-4 to 0-4 lead at the break.

Mitchels were on the attack early in the second half, and when Nathan O’Malley doubled brilliantly on a Tony Sweeney cross, to rattle the Tooreen net, they looked to be in control. O’Malley then added a point, but Tooreen fought back in determined fashion. Four points in a row from Fergal Boland, Shane Boland (2) and Daniel Folliard, followed by a Kevin Lynch goal, after a goalmouth scramble, brought the gap back to three points and a tense finish looked on. However Kevin Keena sealed the issue in Castlebar’s favour with a smart goal, following another Judge save, to leave a six point margin between the sides in the end, and Mitchels retaining the championship.

The quality of the hurling was top class and both sets of mentors can be proud of their teams. It certainly augurs well for the future of hurling in the county, and reflects the excellent work being put in at underage level by both clubs. Both Mitchels and Tooreen represent Mayo in Kilkenny at Feile na nGael in Kilkenny next weekend, and based on this performance, expectations will be high in both clubs. After the game Adrian Hession, Mayo Hurling Development Officer presented the championship trophy to Barry Lane, captain of Castlebar Mitchels. He also complimented both clubs on the high standard of their performances.

Barry Lane looked very assured in goal for Mitchels and could not be faulted for Tooreen’s goal. In the full back line Joseph Redmond was a tower of strength, ably assisted by Declan Howley and Laurence Kenchington. The half back line of Paul Colleran, Darragh O’Malley and Bernard Kennedy played well all through while Nicholas Quinn and Tony Sweeney gave Castlebar a slight edge in this area. The half forward Jamie Redmond, Colman Munnelly and David Bell were impressive all through and the inside line of Kevin Keena, Eoin Lisibach and Nathan O’Malley contributed a very valuable 1-1 each. For Tooreen John Judge, Daniel Cunnane, David Kenny, Noel Walsh and Kieran Finn offered stout resistance in defence. Daniel Folliard and Conor Henry did well at midfield while the Boland Brothers, David Kilkenny and Adam Gallagher threatened all through, up front.

Mitchels qualified for the final of the championship with a good win over Ballyhaunis, in Ballyvary on Friday evening. In perfect conditions for hurling Castlebar proved too strong for a determined Ballyhaunis outfit and now await the result of Ballyhaunis V Toureen to determine who they will meet in the final.

With the aid of the breeze Mitchels went on the offensive from the beginning. After a number of missed chances a long delivery from Darragh O’Malley went all the way over the Ballyhaunis cross bar to open the scoring. A pointed free from Nicholas Quinn was soon followed by an Eoin Lisibach goal when he dispatched a rebound to the net. Tony Sweeney then found the top corner of the net to open a sizeable gap. Two Ballyhaunis points from Gearoid Keane were matched by Eoin Lisibach and Nicholas Quinn to leave the half time score 2-4 to 0-2 in Castlebar’s favour. The question was would this be enough against the wind in the second half.

Mitchels answer was positive as an early Kevin Keena goal and a Nicholas Quinn point gave them some leeway. Two Keane points for Ballyhaunis were followed by Castlebar points from Jamie Redmond, Tony Sweeney and Nicholas Quinn, before a Cathal Walsh goal sealed the result. Ballyhaunis closed the scoring with a late goal from Andrew Mc Cormack, but Mitchels ran out comfortable enough winners.

Castlebar were best served by Barry Lane, Joseph Redmond, Darragh O’Malley. Bernard Kennedy and Paul Colleran in defence. Nicholas Quinn dominated at midfield and up front Colman Munnelly, Tony Sweeney and Jamie Redmond were prominent. Best for Ballyhaunis were Hannan Iqbal, John Flynn, Sean Griffin, Gearoid Keane and Kieran Mc Dermott.

Ballyvary ended Castlebar Mitchels B hopes of reaching the final in a very entertaining game in Ballyvary on Monday. The game was played in excellent conditions on a perfect pitch which led to a very high standard of hurling. Ballyvary opened the scoring with an Anthony Jordan point but Mitchels replied with a Cathal Walsh goal. Jordan added another goal and a point for Ballyvary to pull away again. Conor Mylett edged Castlebar ahead again with a goal but a lucky Ballyvary goal put them back in the lead. The teams traded two further points each to leave Ballyvary 2-4 to 2-2 ahead at the break.

It was always going to be difficult for Mitchels to overhaul this lead, facing the breeze in the second half. Anthony Jordan kept up his good work with an early goal and a point to open the gap further. A Kevin Keena point and a goal from David Bell brought Mitchels back into the game but Ballyvary finished stronger with a further Jordan goal and a point to leave them deserving winners. They now meet Ballina in the final.

Ballyvary had strong performances from Cathal Larkin, Niall Barrett & Eamon Regan at the back, Eoghan Gannon and James Doherty at midfield, with Robert Conner and the impressive Anthony Jordan effective up front. Castlebar were best served by Rory Quinn, Brian Collins, Brian Gallagher and Cian Gavin in defence, Paul Colleran and David bell did well at midfield while up front Cathal Walsh, Daniel Loughran and Kevin Keena threatened most.

Ballyvary: Paul Burke, James Lawless, Rebecca Comer, Cathal Larkin, Niall Barrett, Eamon Regan, Eoghan Gannon, James Doherty, Robert Comer, Fergal Larkin, Anthony Jordan, Sean Mulroy, Eoin Roc.

Castlebar Mitchels B: Rory Quinn, Brian Collins, Eoghan Quinn, Gregory Robinson, Thomas Quinn-Bailie, Brian Gallagher, Cian Gavin, Paul Colleran, David Bell, Art O’Suilleabhain, Daniel Loughran, Cathal Walsh, Kevin Keena, Conor Mylett, Sean King, Dara Singh, Eric Gavin, Liam Howley, Ashley Jensen, Stephen Mc Donnell, Daniel Munnelly, Aaron Singh.

Good luck to the Castlebar Mitchels hurlers who are off to Féile this weekend in Kilkenny. The club will be hosted by the Kilmacow club in Kilkenny and are looking forward to a wonderful weekend. After retaining their under 14 championship title on Saturday last they should be in good spirits for what is always a very special weekend. Thanks to their hard working mentors Gerry Lane, Paddy O’Brien and John Kennedy for all their hard work and to all the parents for their support.

Race Night for underage hurling

A big THANK YOU to all who assisted in so many different ways to help make our Race Night for Juvenile hurling a success and especially to the Parents Committee for organising it.

Castlebar Mitchels are drawn against Westport in the under 21 semi-final on Saturday 23^rd June at 6pm in Westport.

The National Hurling Director - Paudie Butler will be in Mayo on Friday 15th June, and will hold an evening hurling coaching workshop at Ballyvary Community Grounds at 7.30. The workshop will be conducted with the Mayo U14 Hurling Development Panel and will be based on advanced academy coaching. All hurling coaches from all hurling clubs and schools in the county are invited to attend the workshop to upskill themselves and to gain new coaching ideas.

The annual Coisde Iomana Chonnachta U-12 Ground Hurling Blitz was held in Woodmount recently and attracted 14 teams. Teams (over 200 players) attended from all over Connacht and Leinster. Castlebar Mitchels entered two teams with our second team winning the ‘D’ section of the competition.

Each team was guaranteed a minimum of 3 games, with the eventual finalists in each section playing 5 games.All the children received medals at the end of the tournament as a memento of the day, regardless of whether they won or lost.

For the record: Tooreen won the "A" Section, beating Pearses in a very close final.

Castlerea won the "B" Section, beating Ballyhaunis in the final.

Athleague won the "C" Section, beating Manorhamilton in the final.

Castlebar Mitchels (2) won the "D" Section, beating Roscommon.

Great credit is due to the Pearses Club (and in particular Padraic and Belinda Dooley) for the use of their excellent playing facilities, and also the fact that they managed to provide food for over 240 people during the course of the day. I would also like to thank members of the Coisde Iomana for their help in organising the day and also Damien Coleman (Connacht Hurling Director), John Mullins (Sligo Hurling Coach), Adrian Hession (Mayo Hurling Coach) for their help. A sincere thanks to the 4 referees who helped us greatly – Enda Kelly, Carmel Killeen, Tomas Sweeney, and Tadgh Cogavin.

There is training on Wed evening for under 8, 10, 12s at An Sportlann at 6pm.

Interested in playing Camogie for Castlebar Mitchels.

Underage Camogie training on Tuesdays & Thursdays 5.30pm to 7pm in Davitt College.

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