Westport recover from slow start to claim minor crown

County Minor Football League Division 1 – Final 

Westport St Patrick’s 1-21 

Castlebar Mitchels 2-12

(AET, 1-13 to 2-10 at full-time) 

Patrick Hennelly in Islandeady 

A pulsating Division 1 minor final unfolded at a well-attended Islandeady last Tuesday evening where extra-time was required to separate these two juggernauts, with Westport winning by six points in the end.

This was an eagerly anticipated clash between these two great rivals and Castlebar bamboozled their opponents by notching 1-1 inside the first minute. The opening goal was the result of a pin-point pass from Shane Cunningham who found Fionn McHale and the latter’s sumptuous finish shook the net. Seconds later, Cian Walsh slotted over a well-taken point and the Red and Yellow were well and truly up and running.

Ryan Gibbons was another Castlebar player who made hay during the early stages of this clash, and his haul of two points, one from a free, helped glean a healthy 1-3 to no score lead.

Rian Durkin would go on to produce a sterling display for Westport, and his free on 10 minutes was the Sky Blue and Navy’s opening point, and it was badly needed. But a rampant Castlebar were in no mood to step off the gas and they produced a spellbinding move on 11 minutes, which saw Gibbons and Gavin Forry combine to set-up McHale who duly added his team’s second goal of the contest. Even at such an early juncture, it appeared the silverware was already destined for the Mitchels trophy cabinet, as Mitchels now led by eight points, 2-3 to 0-1, and Westport were at sixes and sevens.

A dingdong period of the game then developed, with Westport’s Tom Lambert arrowing over two frees whilst Castlebar’s Forry also struck two fine scores, including a free.

A third goal for Castlebar would have been disastrous for Westport but it almost occurred on 20 minutes, when Cunningham’s exquisite pass found Walsh except this time Conor Meaney produced a brilliant and crucial save.

This titanic battle continued to ebb and flow, with Westport’s Rian Durkin, a free, and Castlebar’s Fionán O’Reilly (a peach of a point), trading white-flagged efforts, before the chasers comeback hopes received a major boost on 23 minutes. A sweeping attacking foray saw possession funnelled into the path of Rian Durkin and his crisp drive flew past Oran Burke and rustled the net, much to the delight of the Westport supporters.

The Castlebar game plan then received a further set-back towards the end of the first-half when Joe Reilly picked up a black card.

Cunningham did point a superb sky-scraper with Westport’s Rian Durkin replying from the dead-ball on 29 minutes, however, it was the Red and Yellow who led at the break 2-7 to 1-5.

The Westport half-time pep-talk worked wonders, as points from Rian Durkin, two, Michael Geraghty, Elcmar O’Toole and Joey Holmes helped level matters at 1-10 to 2-7 after 44 minutes.

Castlebar were rattled but a point from Walsh on 45 minutes momentarily halted Westport’s new found enthusiasm.

Westport clearly had a pep in their step and they very nearly raised another green flag on 47 minutes when a chance was conjured up for the raiding Tom McGeough, however, his goal-bound effort was brilliantly diverted wide by Rhys Saville.

The Sky Blue and Navy were on top but their final ball was letting them down during this dominant period, yet it appeared as though they were on the verge of collecting the silverware when points from the dynamic Rian Durkin, and super-sub Evan Durkin, a mark, nudged their team 1-13 to 2-8 in front, with just six minutes of normal time remaining.

But a gutsy Castlebar summoned every ounce of energy and points from Cunningham and Gibbons, a last-gasp long-range free, ensured that this gripping game was heading for extra-time.

The busy Cian Walsh edged Mitchels in front once again during the first minute of extra-time but Westport replied with devastating effect, as points from Evan Durkin, a free, Rian Durkin and Michael McDermott, a free, ensured a slender 1-16 to 2-11 half-time lead, whilst Castlebar were once again reduced to fourteen players after Conall Durcan received a black card.

Westport made a whirlwind start to the second period of extra-time, courtesy of pointed frees by Michael McDonnell and Evan Durkin, and one point from play by Rian Durkin. But despite being under the cosh, Castlebar very nearly plundered a game-changing three-pointer on 77 minutes, however, Ryan Gibbons saw his drive flash inches over the crossbar.

A plucky Westport closed out proceedings impressively and a brace of late points from Rian Durkin helped secure the silverware.

Scorers – Westport: Rian Durkin 1-11 (0-4f), Evan Durkin 0-3 (2f, 1m), Tom Lambert and Michael McDonnell 0-2f each, Michael Geraghty, Joey Holmes and Elcmar O’Toole 0-1 each.

Castlebar: Fionn McHale 2-0, Ryan Gibbons 0-4 (2f), Cian Walsh 0-3, Shane Cunningham and Gavin Forry (1f) 0-2 each, Fionán O’Reilly 0-1.

Westport: Conor Meaney; Michael Geraghty, Kyle O’Malley, Cian Sheridan; Tom McGeough, Tom Lambert, Cillian McKeown; Michael McDonnell, Jack Sweeney; Darragh Corrigan, Joey Holmes, Eoghan Johnson; Rian Durkin, Elcmar O’Toole, Conor Ketterick. Subs used: Leon Grimes, Shane Brennan, Evan Durkin, Ethan McGing, Nathan Hoban, Art Swanton.

Castlebar Mitchels: Oran Burke; Toby Lavelle, Brian McDonnell, Niall Monaghan; Rhys Saville, Conall Durcan, Joe Reilly; Shane Cunningham, Sean O’Reilly; Gary Filan, Fionán O’Reilly, Fionn McHale; Cian Walsh, Gavin Forry, Ryan Gibbons. Subs used: Oisín Mulroy, Matthew Flannelly.

REF: John Walker (Cill Chomain)