Castlebar - County Mayo - Mitchels Notes

County League Div 2A
Castlebar 2-7 : Tourmakeady 0-10 This was a game vital to both teams as each had to win if they were to retain any realistic chances for the latter stages of the league and indeed of promotion. It was obvious from the start that no quarter would be asked and none given. The game was played in a very competitive manner all through, with tackles going in hard but fair. Thus it was, that players realised from early on that it was not a game to hang onto the ball for too long.

Tourmakeady were first to score in the 4th minute through a free from their most effective forward Ciarán Walsh. Playing strong and determined football they were dominant in most sectors of the field early on and it was no surprise when they went further ahead with another point in the 8th min. This was followed up by a move in which the Mitchels defence was ripped open, only for the upright to save the day. From this lucky escape Mitchels moved the ball quickly upfield with passing movements through Tim Byrne, Fintan McHale and Paul Jordan before Dwayne Flynn crashed the ball to the net. This was followed shortly by a quick Jamie Fitzmaurice free, which found Paul Jordan free, and he chipped over the bar. Tourmakeady came rattling back with two points from frees before a long ball from Shane Fitzmaurice was cleverly and expertly flicked on by Diarmuid Byrne to the unmarked Paul Jordan who made no mistake from the edge of the square and sent the ball to the net.

Ritchie Feeney was rock solid at full back and Dec Shaw was making incisive runs up field, which time and again cut holes in the Tourmakeady defence whilst Shane Fitzmaurice was gaining the upper hand at centre field. Diarmuid Byrne, Paul Jordan and Dwayne Flynn were combining well in the forwards, though some easy scoring chances were squandered. Points were traded by both sides to leave the half time score Mitchels 2-2 Tourmakeady 0-6.

Shane Fitzmaurice opened the scoring in the second half with a great free from the 45, inside a minute of the resumption. Tourmakeady then missed a glorious opportunity when somehow the ball was kicked wide from practically the Mitchels goal line. A Tourmakeady point from a free, in the 4th minute, was followed by two excellent points from Dwayne Flynn but still the game was keenly balanced. Tourmakeady put in many attacks but the Mitchels defence managed to smother most attempts on goal even though three points were scored to Mitchels one in the middle quarter of the game. Determination and courage were required in large measures as well as considerable ability and skill. With time running out and darkness descending, passions on the side lined became intense. A two-point lead for the Mitchels (2-6 to 0-10) seemed shaky as Tourmakeady piled on the pressure in search of the elusive goal. The referee's and the linesmen's decisions were keenly contested but it was the Mitchels defence which held firm and in the last minute moved the ball upfield for Ronan Burke to clinch the game with a point, to leave the full time score Mitchels 2-7: Tourmakeady 0-10.
Mitchels now face Belmullet in McHale Park next Sat night and a win in that game will be vital. Mitchels played with commendable character, determination and at times showed some of their true potential. Given the long injury list it is heartening to see particularly the minor players improving both their skill and fitness levels. The players are doing their utmost and would appreciate more support, particularly at this critical juncture in the league campaign.

Castlebar
Ciaran Naughton, Brian Hennelly, Ritchie Feeney, Paul Harte, Tim Byrne, Brian Malone, Dec Shaw, Shane Fitzmaurice (0-1), Kevin Malone, Dwayne Flynn (1-2), Jamie Fitzmaurice, Niall Lydon, Diarmuid Byrne (0-2), Fintan McHale, Paul Jordan (1-1).
Subs: Ronan Burke (0-1)for McHale, Eamonn Kennedy for Jordan, David Gordon for Brian Hennelly
Tourmakeady
B Heneghan, C Connolly, MJ Walsh, R Heneghan, MJ Meenaghan, B Prendergast, N Prendergast, J Lydon, J Heneghan, D O Toole, T Naughton, K Dolan, B Naughton, G Heneghan, C Walsh

An Sportlann
Work is progressing on the final stages of the function rooms at An Sportlann. At long last, the project is taking shape and the long awaited day of the opening looks more a reality. It is hoped that the work will be completed in time for Christmas and members and friends will be able to use the fabulous facilities which will be on offer. Watch this space for more exciting details in the coming weeks.

Mitchels Under Age

Mitchels U-8s

It's town league time again. Last Saturday saw the start of a new town league. It is great to see that we had a sizeable increase in numbers since schools opened again. We have close on sixty players in the league.

There are a few small rules, no goals - everything is called a point, one hop one solo, it's a free to kick the ball in the direction of your own goal. Each team is coached for twenty minutes and games are then held for fifteen minutes a side.

On Saturday Pearses had a narrow victory over McHales by 9 points to 6. It was a very even game with McHales just losing their formation in the last few minutes thereby conceding the few vital scores.

Emmetts had a 12 points to 9 victory over Davitts in a game that was in the balance right up to the end. So next week's games will give a clear view of how evenly matched the teams are.

The U-10 recently lost by a point to Ballintubber in the Parke blitz. Training is continuing on Saturday mornings and we are going to run an U-11 league shortly to finish off the year.

Jamie Redmond, Joseph Redmond, Tony Sweeney, Micheal Flynn

Alan Flynn, Jamie Lydon, Martin Collins, Nathan O Malley

Niall Feeney, Jack Hannigan, Killian Glynn, Daniel Byrne

David Bell, Donagh Barry, Patrick Sweeney, Kevin Kenna

Cathal Walsh, Niall Fahy, Ronan Coyne, Cian Gibbons

Ronan Byrne, Tony Hoban, James Durcan, Patrick Durcan

Fintan Murphy, Patrick Connolly, Jason Collins, Kenneth Feeney

Nicholas Jordan, Mark McHugh, Conor Moylette, Oisin Kyne

Robert Prendergast, Shane Noonan, Rossa Clancy, Patrick Bell

Brian Waldron, Phillip Ruddy, David Costello, Brian O Malley

Conor Waldron, Luke Ruddy, Aaron Hopkins, Cian McGowan

Charlie Gannon, Ryan Shearin, Mark Mitchel, Ronan Mulloy

Daniel Munnelly, Christopher Walsh, James Prendergast, John Gibbons

Laurence Kenchington, Jason Ormsby

Noel Byrne
PRO Castlebar Mitchels