Northern boys give final a great ‘lash
Fergal Lally on the ball for Aughalasheen. Pictures: Michael Donnelly
Aughalasheen produced a dominant and skillful display to claim the Division 4 title, delivering what was arguably the performance of the day on Wednesday last. Led by standout players Fergal Lally and Jimmy Coyle, the North Mayo side combined individual brilliance with impressive team play to overcome a spirited Tonragee outfit.
Tonragee started strongly and looked sharp in the opening minutes. Odhran Gallagher rattled the net inside the first minute, followed by a point from Rhys Callaghan. However, Aughalasheen, having fallen short in last year’s final, showed experience in their response. Jimmy Coyle and Fergal Lally pointed to settle their side before Lally burst through for a superb solo goal in the fourth minute. He quickly added another point and both he and Coyle tagged on further scores to give Aughalasheen the lead.
Tonragee remained competitive, with Rhys Callaghan continuing to impress. He exchanged points with Luca Nallen and then netted his first goal after a clever pass from Gallagher. Yet Aughalasheen were relentless. Coyle, two, and Lally responded with points before Callaghan netted again in the 10th minute.
Despite conceding two goals, Aughalasheen closed the half with composure and class. Danny Gaughan, Lally, two, and Coyle added points, and in a moment of flair, goalkeeper Henry Gaughan charged up the pitch, exchanging passes before slotting a memorable point. At half-time, Aughalasheen led 1-14 to 3-1.
The second-half saw them continue where they left off. Rian Boylan pointed twice early on, answered by Paddy O’Hara for Tonragee. Lally and Coyle again dictated play from midfield, adding further points with clinical accuracy. As Tonragee pushed forward, O’Hara replied with another point, but Aughalasheen’s slick movement and support play kept the scoreboard ticking.
Danny Gaughan and Rian Boylan pointed before Gaughan netted with a tidy low finish. Though Gallagher grabbed a late goal for Tonragee, one final point from Gaughan sealed a deserved win for Aughalasheen, capping off a superb all-round display and erasing the disappointment of last year’s final.
