Charlestown victory leaves Mitchels left facing relegation threat
Charlestown kept their place in the AbbVie Mayo LGFA senior championship with victory over Castlebar Mitchels.
Charlestown Sarsfields produced an impressive response to their opening-round defeat as they overcame Castlebar Mitchels by seven points in Fr O’Hara Park on Sunday morning.
The victory ensures Tom Carney’s side remain in the senior championship next season, while Mitchels now face a crucial final-round meeting with Kilmovee Shamrocks.
Michalina Cichopek opened the scoring for Castlebar inside the opening minute, but Chelsea Doherty quickly responded for Charlestown. Doherty then edged the Sarsfields in front with a free which struck the crossbar before dropping over.
Ava Mai Casey extended the home side’s advantage from a free before Doherty added another. Ava Scully had earlier denied Abby Conway a goal chance as Castlebar looked to respond.
Síofra McGuinness and Mia Durkan added further Charlestown points, but Ciara Middleton and Kathryn Sullivan brought Mitchels level for the second time.
Charlestown responded immediately. Doherty’s effort ended up in the net after the ball dropped from the Castlebar goalkeeper, with McGuinness and Doherty adding points from play.
Grainne Flynn registered the game’s first two-pointer in the 20th minute, but Charlestown continued to dominate.
Gawalkievicz saw a free from the edge of the two-point arc fall short after referee Mel Kenny ruled that Mitchels had failed to have three players back.
Casey and Katie Gavin exchanged points before Gawalkievicz’s 45 dropped into the net in the 27th minute.
McGuinness and Durkan added further points as Charlestown hit 1-04 without reply. Sullivan’s second point left Castlebar nine points behind at the interval.
Mitchels made a bright start to the second half. Lucy Tiernan converted a two-pointer before Flynn and Suzanne Tuohy reduced the deficit further.
McGuinness settled Charlestown with their first score of the half, before Tuohy replied for Mitchels.
Durkan then restored Charlestown’s momentum before McGuinness and substitute Nicole McGloughlin both found the net to put the result beyond doubt.
Flynn converted a late two-point free and Grace Carroll also found the net, but Charlestown held on to claim a valuable victory.
The Sarsfields now face Westport at a neutral venue, while Mitchels know victory over Kilmovee Shamrocks is essential to avoid the relegation battle.
Scorers - Charlestown Sarsfields: Síofra McGuinness and Chelsea Doherty (2f) 1-0-4 each, Julia Gawalkievicz (45’) and Nicole McLoughlin 1-0-0 each, Mia Durkin 0-0-3, Ava Mai Casey 0-0-2 (1f), Katie Gavin 0-0-1.
Castlebar Mitchels: Grainne Flynn 1-1-5 (1tpf), Grace Carroll 1-0-0, Lucy Tiernan 0-1-0 (), Kathryn Sullivan and Suzanne Tuohy 0-0-2 each, Michalina Cichopek and Ciara Middleton 0-0-1 each.
Charlestown Sarsfields: Julia Gawalkievicz; Jen O’Donnell, Heather Johnson, Abby Conway; Clodagh Murphy, Mary Peig Horkam, Emily Cassidy; Katie Gavin, Mia Durkin; Shona Mahon, Kellee Crean, Sìofra McGuinness; Chelsea Doherty, Ava Mai Casey, Cailín Durkan. Subs: Clíona Cullen (for O’Donnell ht), Nora McGovern (for Casey 49), Caoimhe Halligan and Leasha McHale (for Horkan and Mahon (56), Nicole McGloughlin (for Doherty 58).
Castlebar Mitchels: Ava Scully; Maria Ludden, Grace Filan, Megan Pattinson; Aoibhin Conway, Sarah Conlon, Lexi McDonnell; Suzanne Tuohy, Kathryn Sullivan; Reina Heaney, Lucy Molloy, Sadbh O’Donnell; Lucy Tiernan, Grainne Flynn, Ciara Middleton. Sub: Grace Carroll (for Tiernan 36).
REF: Mel Kenny (Westport)
