In weather better suited to Polar Regions than Mayo in January Castlebar managed to avenge a comprehensive cup loss at the end of last season. On that day Castlebar had no answer to a rampant Corrib side. This fixture saw a similar result but this time in favour of Castlebar.

Usually post Christmas matches are dour affairs due to too much turkey but this was an all action match that entertained those brave souls that poked a finger in the eye of the weather. This match had five tries with three more close calls with Colm O’Brien going over twice and Andrew Verity once being denied.

Castlebar’s first try came from Shane Heffron, who completely outstripped the cover to score under the posts, converted by Danny McGing. Corrib responded immediately with a penalty to make the score 7-3 to Castlebar with fifteen minutes gone. With great patience Castlebar worked hard to subdue a game Corrib outfit. The pack took some time to come to terms with the game Colm O’Brien, David McManaman and Neil Coyle worked hard to go forward but were met with stern resistance from big Corrib forwards. Brian Flannery and Aidan Garvey showed their value as the game wore on by making the hard yards and fighting for possession on the floor. The Castlebar back row of Enda Murphy, Oli Davies and Martin Gill played very well, linking, passing and running in support of each other. They are making for a very effective unit as the cup appears around the corner.

The Castlebar backline is progressing very well. Andrew Verity had his best game for Castlebar adding a break to his game which best shows his incredible pace over that all important first five metres. Danny McGing is another player who is relishing his role as the playmaker. Varying his play between releasing his backs, using his forwards and kicking for territory were all of the highest order. Nigel Byrne has responded well to the raised standards all around him by improving his own play. Scoring two tries through skill power and determination his importance to the team effort is immense. His partner Shane Heffron is another player who is coming along in leaps and bounds, a fiercely strong runner his defence is improving with every game. The wings are John Derrig and Rod O’Donnell, both attacks very well with Derrig being unlucky not to have scored on one or two occasions in the first half. O’Donnell is performing so well one has to scratch his head to believe that last year he was a prop for the under 16’s. Colm Harte is another player who is gaining in confidence with every game, fielding well and counters attacking with confidence.

Nigel Byrnes first try came from broken field attack that caught Corrib unawares. He collected a pass from Martin Gill and outpaced the cover defence to score, the conversion was missed. Then came the try of the day with the Castlebar tight five getting more and more into the game there came a period of play of about twenty phases as the excellent Colm O’Brien took the ball up supported by the rest of the pack, they made huge ground. The ball went right to left and left to right with every player in Castlebar colours getting on the ball at least once, players notably Enda Murphy Nigel Byrne, Oli Davies and Andrew Verity making it more than once. With ten metres to go Colm Harte got on the end of a Byrne pass and scored on the fifteen metre line. The score at half time was 17-6 to Castlebar.

The second half saw Castlebar up the pace again with Byrne breaking a tackle and a double tackle to score an excellent solo effort. That try was followed by a try from Enda Murphy, such is his contribution to Castlebar over the years that sometimes his work is taken for granted. It is hard to remember a game that he did not score in but it was good to see him rewarded for great endeavour and a huge work rate. In desperate weather conditions Danny McGing converted three tries. Making the final tally an impressive thirty-one points.

Interestingly, Castlebar had two new debutants in Stewart McLoughlin and Matt Moran who replaced John Derrig and Aidan Garvey. Two other substitutions are providing Castlebar with real choices; Conor Heneghan is a new player with great potential, sound under the high ball and very strong in the counter attack. Ian McDonagh has played rugby in Castlebar for an incredibly long time, his impact as a half time substitution was immense, accurate throwing, excellent support play and quite but effective ball carrying marks him as a quality player. He is very hard to stop and is unfortunate that he is unable to train with the team on a more regular basis.

If under age football is the lifeblood of sport then fare play gives sustenance to that life, the man in the middle is critical to that development. Trevor Ardle refereed the match in a fare and professional manner. All that played the game enjoyed it and there was not one occasion of unsavoury play due to the arbitration of a great servant of the game of rugby. Well done!

Castlebar: C Harte, R O’Donnell,S Heffron, N Byrne, J Derrig, D McGing, A Verity,

M Gill, E Murphy (Capt), O Davies, A Garvey, B Flannelly, C O’Brien, N Coyle, D McManaman, Subs: Matt Moran, S McLoughlin, Ian McDonagh,