The men’s Football team were looking to follow the lead of their female counterparts who booked a place in the All-Ireland League Divisional Final last Wednesday by beating Marino College. The Men’s prize was a quarter-final date in the Trench cup at home to Letterkenny. However after 10 minutes it looked as if this was nothing more than a distant dream as Castlebar couldn’t get to Grips with a Magee college team who were purposeful direct and quick to rack up the scores.

 

Nora Murphy about to gain possession against Marino

Castlebar’s problem was that they simply couldn’t get near the ball and when Magee added a goal to their early points to lead 1-3 to no score after 10 minutes things were looking ominous. However Castlebar’s first real attack of note yielded a superb goal by Sean Walsh after great build up play from Ronan Walsh and Gavin Kearey to keep them in touch.

Daniel Branley’s introduction helped gain a lot of possession in mid-field and he added a point to continue the revival. Unfortunately he was injured at this stage and though he tried to play on he had to be removed and his loss was a huge blow.

Magee continued to tack on scores and the future didn’t look bright. Points from Daniel O’Connor and Jimmy Killeen brought the half time score to 1-7 to 1-3 and the boy’s reflected on a half when they should have been dead and buried, to realize that there were only two kicks of the ball in it.

Billy McNichnolas’ team talk had the desired effect as G.M.I.T. emerged an entirely different team and had all the early pressure. Magee were still the first to register in the second half and it looked as if the Castlebar storm was about to blow itself out when Noel Mchale kept a cool head as a breaking ball fell to his feet. He trapped and controlled it before side footing it to the net, to the great relief of all watching (as it seemed to go in slow motion). If there was excitement at that, there was jubilation minutes later when Shane Galvin rose highest to get a vital touch to a Jimmy Killeen high ball to put castlebar ahead 3-3 to 1-8

Deirdre Kenneally, as she sends the ball over the bar

Noel Mchale emerged the hero as he got his second to goal 4 minutes later to set up a four point lead which one way or another they were to hold until the end. Faced with the realization of losing a game they had dominated Magee rallied with a stirring effort but Castlebar held firm and this was the stage when they played their best football. Rock Solid in defence where Shane McClafferty let nothing past the movement and continous possession from the entire defensive group was great to watch. Nicky Corr deserves a special mention for the countless times he got free to by pass the high fielding derry midfield and carry the ball up field. Points were traded in the final hectic minutes, but an amazing second half was crowned by deserved scenes of celebration, as the referee finally brought a hugely exciting game to a conclusion, final score G.M.I.T. @ Castelbar 4-5 Magee College Derry 1-10.

Billy McNicholas has yet to see a prefect performance from this team, but the spirit they showed in this fight back has to have given him a lot of optimism. The short turn around will be a problem, as some players fight to shake knocks picked up before Thursday’s Quarter Final. That game is scheduled for Breaffy at 2.30 with the winners joining the winners of the British Universities tournament in the Finals weekend in Cork on March 7th, 8th and 9th.

The women’ team booked their place in The All-Ireland League Divisional final beating Marino College of Dublin 4-7 to 2-5. A highly entertaining game saw Marino make the brighter start and their midfield in particular posed huge problems. Marino could have had an extensive lead but for great work by Mairead McGinty who was deputizing for the injured Evelyn Bonar in goal. As it was Nora Murphy and Deirdre Harmon got to grips with Midfield situation and from the ball that they won Castlebar registered 4 points which kept them in touch at half time.

The first of these came from Maeve Murphy , while Deirdre Keneally displayed excellent fielding to take in a high ball before turning and crashing the ball over the bar. Louise Mulready weighed in with two further points. A blitz at the start of the second half saw a flurry of goals that effectively sealed the game Deirdre Keneally reacted quickest when a Tara Kilbane effort came back off the post to punch the ball to the net. It was deride again a few minutes later and when she fielded a high ball Louise made no mistake in firing the ball to the net.

A Minute later it was beyond doubt when Deirdre McGrath composed herself well to shot the ball powerfully past the Dublin ‘keeper. Sarah O’Regan set up Maeve Murphy for two late points to finish it of in style, final scoreline G.M.I.T. @ Castlebar 4-7 Marino 2-5. The result was ground out of good work throughout as mentioned Mairead McGinty was outstanding in goal, Michelle Doyle at full back lead by example and Lorraine Lee and Marcella Troy in the corners proved a resolute full back line with some great blocking and courageous tackling. The half back line of Maura Quinn Marian Silke and Elizabeth Doherty were extremely impressive and their support for the forwards was a vital element in breaking down Marino. Nora Murphy had an outstanding game in midfield and her fielding and delivery was the supply line on which the high scoring was achieved. Deirdre Harmon had the task of shackling Marino’s most effective player, and she covered just about every blade of grass in doing so.

At times the half forwards had to come deep to get possession and when they did they launched excellent counter attacks and the speed and soloing skills of Achill pair Tara Kilbane and Eilish McGinty were a constant threat to the Marino defence.

Post match celebrations after securing a place in the All-Ireland league finals

The Girls are now waiting for confirmation of their opponents in the final but on this performance they will have nothing to fear from anyone.

After the annual intervarsities gathering on Saturday night the final activity of the long distance on Sunday morning was for the hardy. Ciara Burke, Andree Walkin, Pat Carthy, Joanne Fitzpatrick, Aidan Power, Elaine Walsh and Adrian Watters all battled well in their sections but Sandy Griffin and Finin O’Connor took the honours with Third place in the Canadian Canoe section.

Graham Clarke in the rodeo

Overall the team came a very credible 6th , ahead of the likes of U.C.D. and Queens, and the experience gained will stand them in good stead for future events were it looks likely that G.M.I.T. @ Castlebar will be a name featuring regularly at prize giving ceremonies.

Mike Jones getting second place in the rodeo

Special thanks to Al Mcgee for all the hard work put into the preparation for this event and to all the sponsors who contributed so kindly to help make the event happen. For anyone who would like to get involved in the sport the club will soon be starting lessons again as it gears up for it’s proposed trip to France later in the year.