Mayo cup final double header is a brilliant football showcase
TYNAN'S TAKE
BREATHE now. There have been many great occasions at Milebush over the years and last weekend’s Calor Gas Cup final double-header is up there with the best of them.
Four teams with great support descended to the home of Mayo football last Sunday and two close games were expected. No one would have predicted what would unfold over the afternoon.
If you did, send me on this week’s lottery numbers.
The Premier Cup final saw Manulla B hoping to spoil the party for Ballinrobe Town, who were looking to go the season unbeaten and do the treble following League One and Tonra Cup success earlier in the season.
A nailbiter, Liam Burke’s opener for the Town may have been enough given their defensive record but Manulla B forced extra time and penalties after Alan Brennan’s instant impact off the bench to set up Shea Benson for the equaliser.
The first shootout of the day went back and forth, with Manulla B having the chance to win, but Town goalkeeper Sean Shaughnessy had a great game throughout and it came as no surprise to see him be the difference in the shootout as he saved Brennan’s penalty for Town to complete a memorable year.
Manulla can hold their heads high. Twice this season, they have taken the best side in their division to penalties (the Premier Cup final and the Tonra Cup semi-final) and following Walter Barrett’s appointment as A team manager, there is a feel-good atmosphere around the club. Don’t be surprised to see a number of these players involved, not just with the A team next season, but in their FAI Junior Cup encounter with Fairview Rangers this weekend.
The drama increased tenfold for the Super Cup final betweenCastlebar Celtic and Kiltimagh/Knock United. Goals were expected in this one - nine across their league encounters – and what followed was a match that will be talked about for years to come.
A back-and-forth contest, Celtic burst out of the blocks before Kiltimagh/Knock showed the heart and character they have showed all year to peg them back and go ahead.
Anyone who has watched Celtic in recent weeks – now 13 games unbeaten – knows that this team, in the words of Jordan Loftus (more on him later), don’t lose battles any more and responded to Kiltimagh/Knock taking the lead twice to force extra-time.
Even losing Oran Groarke to a red card at full-time, Celtic pushed on and on and looked the more likely to score despite having ten men.
Penalties were needed once more and, with the darkness descending, the standard of the penalties taken left a few of us with nervous over whether or not the game could continue as the light faded from Milebush.
After 22 penalties were buried in the net, Kiltimagh/Knock were the first to blink through James McGrath – who didn’t deserve to miss after am exceptional display in the middle – and it was left to Loftus, the hat-trick hero for the Hoops, to score the penalty to win it. There was never a doubt.
You would have to have a heart of stone not to feel sympathy for Kiltimagh/Knock. Their support arrived in great numbers and two teams make a great final. James Costello and Paul Byrne have had a great first year in the Super League and, given their current trajectory, they are title contenders next season.
It has been a mixed first year back in charge for Stevie Gavin, as early defeats in the league cost Celtic dearly, but he will hope this run and cup success will be a platform for next year. Up first though is a FAI Junior Cup tie with St. Canice’s at Celtic Park.
Like Carramore, there will be a great atmosphere at both games. It’s a shame both are on at the same time (Sunday at 2 p.m.), as I’m sure many would like to go to both. Given what we saw at Solar 21 Park, it’s one hell of an advertisement for the teams we have in the Mayo League.
FAREWELL, AUSTIN
THERE was awful sad news across Claremorris and throughout the county following the passing of Austin Garvin.
I first met Austin at the Ben Garrett Memorial Tournament in 2018 and what struck me instantly was the respect that all in the room had for him. Boxing, along with golf and GAA, were Austin’s sporting passions and I learned more about the sport that night than I would have watching for the next couple of years.
I would see and chat with Austin over the next couple of years across various GAA grounds and he was always a welcome help for any questions you had. Not just myself, but for any reporter and you would always leave a conversation with Austin with more knowledge than you previously had.
His track record spoke for himself, guiding Mayo to two All-Ireland minor titles in the 70s, and his coverage of minor and schools football was second to none.
The turnout at his funeral spoke volumes and I can only offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h'anam dílis.