Westport end seven year wait to lift county intermediate title

Westport 0-10

Kiltimagh 0-4

MAYO INTERMEDIATE CHAMPINSHIP FINAL

WESTPORT reclaimed the county intermediate football title after a seven year wait, and return to senior championship football after a two-year absence, when they turned in a workmanlike performance against a disappointing Kiltimagh team in the Mayo IFC final at Elverys MacHale Park tonight. 

The seasiders, despite playing in A replayed semi-final on Wednesday night, were full value for their win, and while tiredness caught up with them for a period in the second half, they were by far the dominant force in the opening half and regained control of the game for the last 10 minutes to kick on and win a shade cosily.

Strong defensive performances from county players Lee Keegan and Kevin Keane, along with a fine display from Liam Ketterick, set the tone for A Westport side that also had good contributions from forwards Fionn McDonagh, man of the match, and Lewis Cawley.

But ii was the overall work rate and application from the winners which Kiltimagh were unable to match.

Slower than their opponents in many aspects of the game in the first half, Kiltimagh led this final briefly thanks to a 4th minute point from Donovan Cosgrove.

But that didn’t last too long as Lewis Cawley swung into action with three converted frees, while a point from Fionn McDonagh had Westport leading by 0-5 to 0-2 at the break, Ronan Malee getting Kiltimagh’s second and only other score of that half from a free

Two well-taken frees from McDonagh and one from goalkeeper, Patrick O’Malley, kept the Westport lead topped up but Malee also kept chipping away for Kiltimagh to keep them within touching distance.

Westport, who were demoted two seasons ago, were the dominant force for large part of this game and nine first half wides, 13 in all, was a fair reflection of the amount of chances they had with Kiltimagh only off target on two occasions.

Kiltimagh gave away possession on too many occasions but they did create a great chance to get a goal which might well have opened the door for them.

However, Colm Moran just lost the ball at the crucial moment as he tried to thread it through to an unmarked inside forward and with it really went their best chance of getting within touching distance of Westport.

The gap was at four for a long period in that second half and Kiltimagh did have a lot of possession.

But a fine effort from play by McDonagh opened up a five point gap before another fine McDonagh effort extended that to six, with seven minutes remaining, and there was no way back for Kiltimagh.

Scorers for Westport: F. McDonagh 0-5 (3f), L. Cawley 0-3 (2f), C Moran and P. O’Malley (free) 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kiltimagh: R. Malee (0-3, 3f), D. Cosgrove 0-1.