Charlestown withstand storming comeback by Saints

East Mayo U16 ‘A’ Football Championship – Final 

Charlestown Sarsfields 1-18 

St Jarlath’s 1-16 

James Breheny at CoE Bekan 

It was a repeat of the 2024 decider as Charlestown Sarsfields and St Jarlath’s clashed once again in the East Mayo U16 ‘A’ football final at the Connacht Centre of Excellence in Bekan last Thursday evening.

Charlestown left it late but edged out St Jarlath’s (Ballyhaunis and Eastern Gaels) after a tightly contested battle that swung dramatically in momentum. With a strong breeze at their backs, Charlestown held a commanding nine-point lead at half-time and looked in control, but St Jarlath’s roared back in the second-half, hitting thirteen points (including a two-pointer) to level the game late on. Despite being reduced to fourteen players midway through the half, Charlestown showed real grit to land the last few scores and seal a narrow but deserved victory.

The game started at pace with Charlestown centre-forward Shea Haran pointing just ten seconds in, which was followed by a free from Danny Breheny in the third minute. Sean Donnellan quickly struck back with a goal for St Jarlath’s to edge them ahead, however, Charlestown responded in the ninth minute as Seán Breheny landed the game’s first two-pointer, restoring their lead.

That was followed by a point from John Jennings and another for Charlestown by Danny Breheny, before another two-pointer from Seán Breheny made it 0-7 points to 1-1 in Charlestown’s favour. Jennings then responded with a two-pointer from a free to bring St Jarlath’s back into it.

Charlestown’s goal came in the 22nd minute after a sharp link-up play: a well-placed ball from Danny Breheny was palmed to the net by full-forward Oisín Durkan. The Sarsfields pushed on, with midfielder Seán Breheny – brother of Danny – hitting two impressive two-pointers in quick succession – one from play in the 23rd minute and another from a sideline in the 25th. Danny added the final score of the half to leave Charlestown nine points clear at the break, 1-12 to 1-03.

St Jarlath’s came out firing in the second-half, with Liam Nolan scoring twice in the opening five minutes. James Cassidy replied with a point for Charlestown, but Jarlath’s enjoyed their best spell of the game soon after, hitting three scores in as many minutes through Zach Smith, John Jennings and Nolan.

Midway through the half, Charlestown were reduced to fourteen when Seán Breheny was shown a straight red card, and St Jarlath’s capitalised with points from Alan Smith and Jennings to cut the gap to three.

Substitute Ryan Rowley steadied things for Charlestown with a point in the 52nd minute and while Jennings replied for Jarlath’s, Rhys O’Connor answered immediately to keep the gap at four. Jarlath’s hit back with scores from Eamon Flanagan, Jennings and a crucial two-pointer from Nolan, to level the tie. However, Charlestown found another gear when it mattered most.

Danny Breheny stepped up with two points in quick succession to edge the Sarsfields back in front. A late free was also awarded after Jarlath’s failed to keep four players back, and Breheny made no mistake from the dead ball.

Although Cathal Conlon added one last point for Jarlath’s, it was too late. The final whistle confirmed that Charlestown Sarsfields had secured their first East Mayo ‘A’ title at U16 level since 2017.

Scorers – Charlestown: Seán Breheny 0-4-0 (1tp s/l), Danny Breheny 0-0-6 (3f), Oisin Durkan 1-0-0, Shea Haran, James Cassidy, Rhys O’Connor and Ryan Rowley 0-0-1 each.

St Jarlath’s: John Jennings (1tpf) and Liam Nolan 0-1-3 each, Sean Donnellan 1-0-0, Zach Smith, Alan Smith, Eamon Flanagan and Cathal Conlon 0-0-1 each.

Charlestown: Tadgh Murphy; Michael Kelly, Dylan Pilcher, Darragh Shyrane, Artiom Gavriliuc, Rhys O’Connor, Ethan Honeyman; Blaine Doyle, Sean Breheny; Oisin Kelly, Shea Haran, James Cassidy; Danny Breheny, Oisin Durkan, Adam Doherty. Subs: Ryan Rowley (for Kelly), Sean Cassidy (for Doherty), Jack Healy (for J Cassidy).

St Jarlath’s: James Michael Jennings; Jack Buckley, Tomas Ó Laighin, Thomas Curran; Cathal Conlon, Eamon Flanagan, Sean Donnellan; John Jennings, Jack Nolan; Alan Smith, Liam Nolan, Diarmaid Kelly; Jamie Brennan; Zach Smith, Shay Guilfoyle. Subs: Charlie Finn (for Brennan), Luke Ruane (for Donnellan).

REF: Paul Lydon (Kiltimagh)