Back-to-back titles for majestic Mitchels for first time since 1970

Castlebar Mitchels  3-13

Knockmore            0-10

 

THREE second half goals by Patrick Durcan, Neil Douglas and Barry Moran in a blistering spell sealed back-to-back titles for Castlebar Mitchels - the club's first double since 1970 - as they had too much class for Knockmore in the Mayo SFC final played under lights at Elverys MacHale Park, Castlebar, tonight.

Just two points separated the sides at half-time and it was a fair reflection of how things panned out with Mitchels slow into their stride and trailing by two early points from Sean Ruttledge and a 40-yard beauty from the outside of the boot of Peter Naughton.

But when Castlebar got into their stride they hit five points without reply, Patrick Durcan nailing two from play, Neil Douglas also on target with two frees and a Garryowen from Aidan Walsh bouncing over the bar as Mitchels went 0-6 to 0-3 ahead, an excellent point from Kevin McLoughlin leaving just two between the sides at the break.

However, there was only one team in this game in the second half and from once Patrick Durcan fired a rocket past the Knockmore goalkeeper, Aidan Kilcoyne, six minutes into the second half, the floodgates opened.

Barry Moran, who had massive game at midfield, set up Douglas for the second Castlebar goal and Moran himself tapping in after Douglas had his initial shot saved by Knockmore goalkeeper.

Douglas finished the game with 1-6, punishing Knockmore with a string of converted frees but the difference between these two teams was quality as Castlebar, beaten All-Ireland finalists last year, look hungry again for more success as they march into a Connacht championship meeting with Tourlestrane next Saturday.

Castlebar Mitchels: R Byrne, S Irwin, G McDonagh D Newcombe, R O’Malley, E O’Reilly, P Durcan (1-3), A Walsh (0-2), B Moran (1-0), F Durkan, C Costello, J Durcan, N Lydon, N Douglas (1-6,4f), S Hopkins.

Subs: D Stenson (0-2, 1f) for J Durcan (45), R Burke for P Durcan (inj, 48), D Kirby for Lydon (52), J Gannon for Costello (54), C Kyne for Douglas (55), J Maughan for Newcombe (56).

Knockmore: A Kilcoyne, M Park, S McHale, D Walsh, J Rice, A Keane, N Hardy, T Clarke, K McLoughlin (0-1), D McHale, C Reape (0-1), K Ruttledge (0-2), S Ruttledge (0-1), K Langan, P Naughton (0-5, 4f).

Subs: B Gibbons for Clarke (37), F O’Neill for Langan (50), J Brogan for Park (56), Alan Loftus for C Reape (58), C Canning for D Walsh (58).

Ref: J Glavey (Aghamore).