Cunning' goals see Mitchels march on
Castlebar Mitchels' Mark Cunningham, who struck 1-2, in action against Davitts’ Micheal Hett during the Mayo U21A championship semi-final at Ballindine. Pictures: David Farrell Photography
Davitts and Castlebar Mitchels injected some much-needed heat into an icy cold Sunday morning in Ballindine but it was the men from the county town who emerged victorious in the end.
Two first half goals for the visitors propelled them into a strong and although Davitts cut the gap to a goal, Mitchels always had that extra goal in their pocket, keeping them out of sight.
It was a marvellous contest all the same, despite the absence of some big names from both panels. Donnacha McHugh, Bob Tuohy and Sean Morahan were unavailable for Castlebar while Cathal Corless was absent for Davitts.
It took just 32 seconds for this one to spark into life as Mark Cunningham fired over from play. Davitts shook off the cold and hit three without reply. Niall Treacy put over two points, one from a free and Dylan Gallagher added another from a free on his favoured side.
Just as Davitts were starting to look strong, Mitchels flicked a switch and had the ball in the net. One Cunningham found another, as Mark fed James with a perfect pass and he applied the finish. Cian Walsh added another from play. Treacy got Davitts moving again before James Cunningham added a point to complement his earlier goal.
Gallagher scored from play before Mark Birmingham spurned a great chance to put the ball in the net. His shot was weak and he had teammates wide open. Tomas Waldron burst forward from corner back and put the ball between the posts. Mitchels kept the foot on the gas and Mark Cunningham was soon in for the second goal, after he was played in by Conor Mulroy. Cian Walsh scored his second point of the half before Niall Treacy’s free brought the game to half time with five points between the sides.
Davitts enjoyed a bright start to the second half as a goalmouth scramble resulted in a penalty. Jack Melvin buried it cooly to cut the gap to two points but Ciaran Mylett’s free restored that gap. Treacy and Mylett traded scores again, the Davitts man from a mark. An off the ball scuffle saw black cards flashed to Mylett from Mitchels and Mark Birmingham from Davitts.
Mitchels scored the next three unanswered as Tomas Waldron added a second, Cian Walsh his third and Conor Mulroy fired over a free, taking over the duties from the black carded Mylett.
Davitts cut the gap to three once more with two scores from Dylan Gallagher and a single for Fionnan Gallagher but Mitchels got back on the front foot. Scores from Cian Walsh, Conor Mulroy and Mark Cunningham got them well in front again.
Davitts refused to lie down; they soon had their second goal after Fenton Kelly’s free floated into the net. But it was too little too late as Castlebar sub Ryan Gibbons put the icing on the cake, scoring a free.
