Belmullet claim victory on poignant day in Charlestown
Eoin O'Donoghue's late goal saw Belmullet claim victory. Picture: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
The first ever competitive game to be played on the Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch ended in defeat for the home team, as a tigerish Belmullet side simply outclassed an understrength Charlestown Sarsfields.
The East Mayo men got off to the perfect start, as from the throw in Michael Marren worked the ball to Ciaran Honeyman, who in turn fed Niall Fleming, to blast to the back of the net. Despite the early setback Belmullet didn’t panic and would kick four points on the bounce, to negate the Charlestown goal and move in front. Eamon McAndrew opened their account by firing over first time, after being picked out by Marty Boylan, before Padraig Meenaghan split the posts. Michael Keane then cut over a peach with the outside of his boot from way out on the right, to draw the sides level. The Belmullet number fifteen would then kick his team in front as he latched on to a poor Charlestown kick out, before splitting the posts.
All the North Mayo men’s hard work was about to be undone however, as a probing run from Jack Brennan saw the cornerback’s kick, take a deflection and somehow find its way past Shane Nallen in the Béal an Mhuirthead goal. McAndrew would find a response for the Mullet men to cut the gap to one, but it was soon cancelled out by a free from Patrick Goldrick. Keane and Goldrick would then trade frees late in the half, which saw the Sarsfields take a two-point lead into the break.
Eoin O’Donoghue, operating in a more advanced position than usual, curled over a peach to restart the scoreboard at the start of the new half. Charlestown responded with their first and only point from play in the game, as a well worked move saw Niall Towey apply the finish. The men in Red and White were about to enjoy a purple patch however and would hit the game’s next four points without reply. First, Darragh Ó’Muirithe boomed one over from distance, before a needless push by Patrick Walsh on Evan Ivers, saw Keane convert the equaliser. Then, an excellent run forward by Nallen, followed by patient build up, allowed Ivers to kick Belmullet in front. This was quickly followed by a point from distance from Darragh Dixon.
All the Green and White could manage to muster by way of response was a free from Goldrick. The result was then put beyond any doubt when good work by James O’Donnell and Oisin O’Donnell, saw O’Donoghue grab possession, swivel and rifle first time past the helpless Walsh. Try as they might Charlestown couldn’t find another score and Meenaghan clipped over late on to put the gloss on a good away day for Belmullet.
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