Mayo LGFA junior titles for Castlebar Mitchels and Tourmakeady

Castlebar Mitchels B had too much firepower for a brave Shrule/Glencorrib as the west Mayo side ran out 3-17 to 0-9 victors at Swinford Amenity Park in the Mayo LGFA Junior B Shield final, writes Patrick Hennelly.

Mitchels made a whirlwind start to the first half and led 1-4 to 0-1 after 14 minutes, the opening goal arriving courtesy of Grace Bailey.

Shrule/Glencorrib were awarded a penalty on 16 minutes but their custodian, Holly Grimes, was most unfortunate to see her well-struck effort rebound off the upright.

The border side rallied towards the end of the first half and tagged on points from Rachel Moffatt, Lauryn Walsh (two) and Roisin Sweeney (free), but Mitchels held a healthy 1-9 to 0-6 lead during the half-time musings.

Shrule/Glencorrib made a positive start to the opening exchanges of the second half and following a point from Walsh on 36 minutes, they trailed by just four. Crucially, though, the south Mayo side couldn’t muster any further scores.

Despite being temporarily reduced to 14 players on 49 minutes after Jodie Lavelle picked up a yellow, Castlebar continued to dominate proceedings and late goals from Lucy Tiernan and Ellen Rose Lavelle helped round off an impressive display.

In the Junior B Cup decider, Tourmakeady defeated Kiltane 2-10 to 2-9 in what was an enthralling game, also played at a well-attended Swinford Amenity Park.

This truly was a game for the ages that was full of drama right until the final whistle.

A goal from Tourmakeady’s Shauna Barker on 12 minutes helped garner a 1-3 to 0-2 lead for the Gaeltacht side.

Ciara Ginty produced a tireless display for Erris team and her free on 18 minutes was warmly greeted by the loyal Kiltane supporters.

However, Tourmakeady were winning crucial possession and this led to a goal from industrious midfielder Niamh Duffy on 23 minutes, which shunted her team into a 2-6 to 0-3 lead.

Tourmakeady were temporarily reduced to 14 players on 27 minutes when Therese Hughes picked up a yellow card.

To their credit, Kiltane regrouped and a three-pointer from Shauna Gallagher on 28 minutes was a boost for the north Mayo side. However, Tourmakeady still led by four (2-6 to 1-5) at the interval.

Kiltane blitzed their opponents on the resumption and a goal from Marie Sweeney Khalifa on 32 minutes levelled the tie at 2-6 apiece.

However, the Bangor-based team were then reduced to 14 players on 40 minutes when Leah McDonagh was sin-binned.

The Gaeltacht side could have added a third goal on 43 minutes but Maeve Folan’s spot kick was brilliantly saved by Jacinta Regan in the Kiltane goal.

Ginty added a free for Kiltane on 48 minutes, which established a 2-8 to 2-7 lead for her team.

Tourmakeady didn’t panic though, and points from Aine Heneghan, Niamh Duffy and Caoilfhionn Joyce helped turn the tide.

A late free from Kiltane’s Ginty set up a grandstand finish but Tourmakeady held on to record a memorable and historic victory.