Mitchels take B County Title.

Castlebar Mitchels B 4 - 4
James Stephens Ballina 2 - 5

As a mark of the strength and depth of underage hurling in the county town, the Castlebar Mitchel's U-14B Hurling team claimed the Mayo U-14B hurling title in this close fought encounter against a brave Ballina-James Stephen's outfit. Played under the beautiful backdrop of Nephin Mountain in Bofeenaun, the outcome of this U14B final was kept in the balance right until the end, when a Rory Byrne goal minutes from time sealed a deserved win for the Mitchel's.

A Killian Cox goal from close range for the Mitchel's got them off to the best possible start, but Ballina points from David Carr and Kevin Duffy (free) settled things down for the Moysider's. Castlebar midfielder Nicholas Quinn then got in on the scoring act as his long range free glided over the crossbar in the 17th minute. A second goal by Killian Cox moved Castlebar further ahead but Duffy pointed a free again for Ballina to keep in touch. Both sides pressed forward in turn but good defending by Colm Morris, Ethan Tuffy and Alan Gavin for Castlebar, and by Kevin Duffy and Kieran Twomey for Ballina, meant no further scores before the break leaving Mitchels ahead by 2 - 1 to 0 - 3 and with all to play for still.

Ballina opened the second half in determined fashion and pressure from David Twomey and Ross Farrell eventually paid off with a goal from Twomey. Points were exchanged by Tony Sweeney for Castlebar and Kevin Duffy for Ballina before a Nicholas Quinn goal from a free gave Castlebar some breathing space. Killian Cox added two further points to Duffys one for Ballina. However Ballina were not finished yet and a goal from David Twomey kept the pressure on before Rory Byrnes closing goal left Castlebar winners by five points at the end, but they were certainly made to fight all the way to hold out. Richard O'Dea at the heart of the Castlebar defence stood firm against Ballina attacks during this period and relieved the pressure on a number of occasions.

It was a game that had everything - good striking, determination, excellent defending and some stylish scoring on both sides and augurs well for the future of underage hurling in the county. There were great celebrations in the Castlebar camp after the final whistle and this win continues a very successful year for the club at underage level.

Castlebar were best served by, Barry Lane, Colm Morris, Ethan Tuffy and Richard O'Dea in defence, Darragh O'Malley and Nicholas Quinn at mid-field and Tony Sweeney, Alan Quinn and man of the match Killian Cox in attack. Ballina had strong performances from Kevin Duffy, Kieran and David Twomey, Paul O'Grady, Ross Farrell and David Carr.

Castlebar Mitchels: Barry Lane: Colm Morris, Ethan Tuffy: Padraig Condon, Richard O'Dea, Alan Gavin: Nicholas Quinn (1 - 1), Darragh O'Malley: Kieran Glendon, Killian Cox (2- 2), Tony Sweeney (0 - 1): Damian Mc Hale, Alan Quinn:
Subs Used: Jonathan Lowe, Rory Byrne (1 - 0):
Subs: Gerard Duffy, Mark Durcan, Keith Fehilly, Kevin Flynn, David Gibbons, Sean Joyce, Shane Moran, Ciaran Quinn, Damien Togher, Alan Walsh, John Welby, Niall Walsh, Paul Sweeney, Rory Tuohy.

Ballina: Shane McManamon; Dillon Kelly, Kevin Duffy(0-4,3f); Sean Lavelle,
Kieran Twomey, Niall Campion; David Twomey (2-0), Paul O'Grady; Rory
Timlin, Ross Farrell, Cian Harrison; David Carr (0-1), Kyle Murphy.

Castlebar Mitchels qualify for County Final

Castlebar Mitchels 3 - 1
Toureen 2 - 3

In a very exciting and closely contested game at Aughamore, Castlebar Mitchels just pipped Toureen to qualify directly for the County Final. Toureen were first to score with a Michael Morley point from a free, but after a tight first quarter, Castlebar edged ahead with a Niall Mc Carney goal and soon followed up with a similar score from Luke Mc Grath. Chances were missed on both sides leaving the half time score 2 - 0 to 0 - 1 in favour of Mitchels.

The pattern continued in the second half with defences on both sides playing very well. An early Toureen goal from Michael Morley made for an enthralling second half. However Luke Mc Grath steadied the ship for Mitchels with another goal and Niall Mc Carney tacked on a point, but a determined Toureen side kept pressing and a further Morley point and a goal from Andrew Carroll left only the minimum between the sides. The game was now likely to go either way and both sides had further chances to score but excellent saves by both goalkeepers John Cotter and Richard Crinnegan and a number of missed chances left Castlebar ahead by the narrowest of margins at the final whistle.

This was a highly entertaining game between two evenly matched sides and the standard of play served up augurs well for the game in the county. Toureen were best served by Richard Crinnegan, Iarla Carthy, Mark Waldron in defence Michael Morley and Ciaran Charlton at mid field and attackers Paul Lawless, Michael Schlingermann and Andrew Carroll. Castlebars Stars were John Cotter, James Lowe, Mike O'Donnell and Marty Gallagher at the back, the determined Fergal Durcan at mid field and Niall Mc Carney, Luke Mc Grath and Michael Clune up front.

Mitchels now meet the winners of the semi - final between Ballyhaunis and Toureen, in the final.

Castlebar Mitchels: John Cotter: James Lowe, Liam Williams, Mike O'Donnell: Nicholas Quinn, Stephen Fitzgerald, Marty Gallagher: Philip Redmond, Fergal Durcan: Vincent O'Brien, Niall Mc Carney, Killian Cox: Darren Mc Tigue, Luke Mc Grath, Michael Clune.
Subs: Barry Lane, Cian Costello, Keith Fehilly, Alan Gavin, Richard O'Dea, Darragh O'Malley, Alan Quinn, Tony Sweeney, Ethan Tuffy, Alan Walsh, Niall Walsh, Damian Mc Hale, Padraig Condon

Toureen: Richard Crinnegan: Paul Freeley, Iarla Carthy, Conor Henry: Sean Muldoon, Mark Waldron, Niall George: Michael Morley, Ciaran Charlton: Stephen Kilkenny, Michael Schlingermann, Andrew Carroll: Sean Boland, Paul Lawless, Brendan Harrison:
Subs: Richard Byrne, Conor Prendergast, Stephen Keane, and Donal Burke

Mitchels record good win in Semi - Final

Castlebar Mitchels B 9 - 7
Addergoole 2 - 2

Castlebar Mitchels recorded an excellent win over Addergoole in the semi - final of the County Championship at Bofeenaun on Saturday. On a beautiful day for hurling, the game was closely contested in the first quarter with the home team putting up a strong challenge to the town side.

Mitchels however got into top gear in the second quarter and with Damian Mc Hale and Cian Costello picking off good scores, soon opened up a lead. Richard O'Dea was dominant at centre back for Castlebar and broke up many Addergoole attacks, and with Darragh O'Malley showing nice touches at mid field, they never looked like getting caught. They lead by 5 - 4 to 1 -1 at half -time.

The pattern continued in the second half, and despite the best efforts of Cormac Harte, Nathan Mullarkey, Eoin Corcoran and Tony Kenny for Addergoole, Mitchels finished strongly with Mark Durcan and Rory Byrne showing up strongly. The visitors added further scores from Ciaran Quinn, Mark Durcan, Cian Costello and Barry Lane to extend their lead further by full time.

This win now means Mitchels will contest the final against James Stephens of Ballina on June 24th. to join their A team who have also reached the final of their section

Castlebar Mitchels B: Barry Lane (1-0); Keith Fehilly, Ethan Tuffy; Richard O'Dea, Alan Gavin; Darragh O'Malley, Tony Sweeney (1-0); Cian Costello (2-4), Kieran Glendon; Damian Mc Hale (4-0), Alan Walsh (1-1).
Subs: Jonathan Lowe, Niall Walsh (0-1), Mark Durcan (0-1), Gerard Duffy, Kevin Flynn, Sean Joyce, Shane Moran, Ciaran Quinn (0-1), Ranjid Singh, Danien Togher, John Welby, Rory Byrne, Killian Cox

Addergoole: Philip O'Malley; Mike Mc Grath, Cormac Harte; Paul Rowland, Nathan Mullarkey; Eoin Corcoran (1-0), Daniel Mac Donnell; Tony Kenny (0-1), Sinead Harte (0-1); Cormac Reilly, Sean Reilly (1-0), Shauna Maughan.

Mitchels Championship Campaign Continues

Castlebar Mitchels 6 - 4
Ballyhaunis 2 - 3

Castlebar achieved their second success in the Championship after a close game with Ballyhaunis last weekend. The first half in particular was very keenly contested, with excellent passages of play served up by both sides. Castlebar got off to a good start with a Nicholas Quinn point, and then a Luke Mc Grath goal. Ballyhaunis struck back with a goal and a point from Paul Carney and then went ahead with a further goal by Kieran Mc Dermott. Points from Damien Keadin and Luke Mc Grath completed the first half scoring, leaving Ballyhaunis ahead by three points at the break.

Castlebar began the second half in a more determined fashion, aided by the breeze. An early goal from Darren Mc Tigue brought them back on level terms and a Fergal Durcan point put them back in front. Luke Mc Grath at full forward, for Mitchels then went through a purple patch, adding three further goals and a point to open a significant gap.
Ballyhaunis pressed forward again but were held at bay by a strong Castlebar defence. A Ballyhaunis ponit and a further Castlebar goal from Michael Clune closed the scoring leaving Castlebar winners, but certainly not as easily as the final score suggest.

Best for Ballyhaunis were Paul Carney, Paul Freeley, Ul Hassan Ayaz, Sean Ronayne, David Lyons and Damien Keadin. Castlebars stars were Mike O'Donnell, Marty Gallagher, James Lowe and Stephen Fitzgerald in Defence, Philip Redmond and Niall Mc Carney in mid-field, and Luke Mc Grath, Nicholas Quinn and Darren Mc Tigue in attack

Castlebar: John Cotter: Richard O'Dea, Liam Williams, Mike O'Donnell: James Lowe, Stephen Fitzgerald, Marty Gallagher: Philip Redmond, Niall Mc Carney: Vincent O'Brien, Fergal Durcan (0-1), Nicholas Quinn (0-1): Darren Mc Tigue (1-0), Luke Mc Grath (4-2), Michael Clune (1-0).
Subs Used: Alan Quinn, Tony Sweeney, Alan Gavin
Subs: Barry Lane, Killian Cox, Keith Fehilly, Darragh O'Malley, Colm Morris, Niall Walsh, Alan Walsh, Ethan Tuffy

Ballyhaunis: Sean Griffin: Kevin Fitzmaurice, David Lyons, Andrew Mc Cormack: Sean Ronayne, Ul Hassan Ayaz, Isaac Carroll: Joseph Flynn, Paul Freeley: Kieran Mc Dermott (1-0), Paul Carney (1-1), Damien Keadin (0-1): Aidan Richardson, RoryCollins, Garoid Keane.

In a more tightly contested game than the final score suggests Ballina overcame Castlebar B on Saturday in Castlebar. With Kevin Duffy showing impressive form at centre back, Ballina moved ahead in the first quarter. Castlebar were slow to clear their lines on a number of occasions and the pressure eventually told with a couple of goals for Ballina. The home side settled down and kept the visitors to just one point for the remainder of the half to go in at the break 7 points down.

With the wind at their backs Castlebar started impressively and 2 goals from Jonathan Lowe made for an exciting game. However Ballina pulled away again and added 3 further goals late in the game, again following some poor defending, to run out comfortable winners in the end. Castlebar will be hoping for an improvement in their upcoming matches to resurrect their title hopes

Ballinas stars were - Kevin Duffy, Paul Grady, Kieran Tuomey, David Tuomey and Rory Timlin.
Best for Castlebar were - Colm Morris, Padraig Condon, Ciaran Quinn, David Gibbons and Jonathan Lowe

Castlebar B - Barry Lane: Colm Morris Keith Fehilly: Padraig Condon, Alan Gavin, Gerard Duffy: Alan Walsh, Mark Durcan: Jonathan Lowe, David Gibbons, Ciaran Quinn: Shane Moran, Niall Walsh.
Subs - Sean Joyce, Rajid Singh