Mayo camogie club share the spoils in opening championship game
Castlebar Mitchels camogie squad pictured before their championship encounter with Ardrahan
Castlebar Mitchels Camogie team got their Championship campaign underway on Saturday with a hard-fought encounter against Ardrahan in Round 1.
Castlebar hit the net within minutes with Marie Beirne pouncing on a loose ball and firing past the Ardrahan keeper. Although Castlebar opened the scoring, Ardrahan took control for the remainder of the first half, finding the net four times.
Castlebar kept within touching distance thanks to points from Brona Joyce and Niamh Kennedy. When the Ardrahan keeper saved a long-range effort, Rachel Peoples was quickest to the rebound, firing the ball into the back of the net. It wasn't enough to close the gap before half-time, however, as Ardrahan took a 4-5 to 2-4 lead into the break.
A rousing half-time talk from Captain Ella Deely, and the introduction of Hannah Hautmann saw Castlebar Mitchels come out a different team in the second half. The red and yellow hit seven points without reply with Rachel Peoples, Brona Joyce and Hannah Hauttmann all getting on the scoresheet. Ava Dooley worked tirelessly in midfield, while Clodagh Quinn remained composed at half back as Castlebar had completely turned the game on its head holding the Galway side scoreless for 20 minutes of the second half.
Ardrahan weren't out of the contest just yet and got a clinical goal as the clock ticked on. But Castlebar remained composed in defence, with the full back line of Megan Deely, Alannah Donaghy and Shauna Peoples standing strong as they repelled further Ardrahan pressure.
Next up for Castlebar Mitchels is Mountbellew/Moylough this Friday, August 21.
