Castlebar - County Mayo - Castlebar Mitchels News 16/03/02

Kelly cup

Tourmakeady 0-10
Castlebar Mitchels 1-11

A young Castlebar Mitchels had a workmanlike win over a stern Tourmakedy on Sat last in Tourmakeady. Although the game was played at pace and with some end to end sweeping moves, there was also some woeful shooting. Both sets of supporters got a lot to cheer about and indeed to argue about after the game.

The homeside were quick into the action and had the Mitchels defence at sea from the start. Points from Michael Rock, Paul Fitzmaurice and Ian Walsh negatived similar score from Tourmakeady. From the 12th to the 25th min it was all one way traffic as Tourmakedy scored three unanswered points. Michael Rock and Kevin Filan however kept Mitchels in the game before Tormakeady scored twice again to leave the home team leading by three points at half time 0-8 to 0-5. During the first half it was Tourmakeady were using the space more productively and were closing down the Mitchels forwards.

The second half saw Tourmakeady once again in command but after seven mins, Kevin Filan was awarded a free which the referee moved forward for dissent. With the defence in disarray Filan rocketed the ball to the back of the net. Tourmakeady replied with a well taken point but once Dwayne Flynn kicked a 14 yd free over the bar in the 17th min it was all one way traffic for the Mitchels. Points from Gillick, Flynn, Filan and Malone sealed the game for the Mitchels. Apart from one near miss at the beginning of the game, Kieran Naughton in goal was never seriously troubled. The full back line of Brian Henley, Farnan Harte and Paul Harte after a shaky start, eventually got to grips particularly Paul Harte. Brian Malone made some telling runs upfield and was ably assisted by Daragh Flynn and Tim Byrne. Shane Fitzmaurice at centre field used his experience to break ball and distribute it to the forwards. Jamie Fitzmaurice got in some useful work and was unlucky with some passes. Ian Walshe, Kevin Malone and Paul Fitzmaurice got involved in some fine individual good performances. The full forward line of Dwayne Flynn, Kevin Filan and Michael Rock were always a thorn in the side of the defence. Flynn and Rocke were particularly effective. Astute changes by the management, particularly the move of Malone to full forward, paid rich dividends. Tourmakeady asked a lot of questions of the Mitchels and it was heartening that many were answered. A long way to go yet but a promising start is more than a good foundation.

Castlebar Mitchels

Ciaran Naughton : Brian Henley : Farnan Harte : Paul Harte : Brian Malone : Daragh Larkin : Tim Byrne : Jamie Fitzmaurice : Shane Fitzmaurice : Ian Walsh (0-1) : Kevin Malone (0-1): Paul Fitzmaurice (0-1) : Dwayne Flynn (0-3): Kevin Filan (1-2): Michael Rocke (0-2)

Brian McLoughlin for F Harte :Keith Gillick (0-1) for P Fitzmaurice : Cormac Golden for Naughton : David Quinn for Walsh