Mayo SFC: Westport stunned by history-makers Kilmeena but still advance

Aiden Henry

Kilmeena created their own bit of history in Group 1 of the Mayo SFC at Josie Munnelly Park, Castlebar, this evening when they won their first ever Mayo senior club championship game, beating neighbours Westport by 2-15 to 2-13 in a rip-roaring encounter.

Having lost their previous 10 senior championship games, Kilmeena finally came good at the 11th time of asking by producing a magnificent all-round performance to stun their pre-match favourites Westport.

There was little doubt that Kilmeena fully deserved their victory as over the hour they were the better side.

With Claremorris accounting for Charlestown in the other group one fixture, it means that Kilmeena, Westport and Charlestown all finished their group encounters on two points.

However, it will be Westport who will join Claremorris in quarterfinals as they have a better scoring difference than Kilmeena and Charlestown.

But for Kilmeena who lost their opening two games, this result means they will not have to play in the dreaded relegation play-offs as their scoring difference is better than Charlestown.

Although playing into the wind in the opening half it was evident from an early stage that Kilmeena were well up for this local derby clash.

They took an early lead when county star, Jack Carney, landed a great two-pointer in the fourth minute.

Although Westport hit back with two points of their own to draw level, Kilmeena continued to go toe-to-toe with opponents and exchanged points on four different occasions to still the game deadlocked after 24 minutes.

Indeed, had Kilmeena made better use of their chances they could easily have been two or three points in front at that stage.

However, in the 25th minute, Westport were given a tremendous boost when a long ball by Rory Brickenden into the Kilmeena goal area deceived everyone and ended in the back of the net.

This score was followed by a great Joey Holmes point which left Westport leading by four points at the break, 1-7 to 0-6. It was a lead they were fortunate to have.

On the resumption, Kilmeena, who now had the wind in their backs, were fast of the blocks.

Darragh Slattery scored a two-pointer from a free in the opening minute before Caolach Halligan cracked home a brilliant goal two minutes later.

Although Killian Kilkelly replied with a point for Westport to draw level, Kilmeena hit back within a minute with another magnificent goal, this time from Liam Moore.

It was a ding-dong battle all the way to the end.

After points were shared on numerous occasions, Westport were thrown a lifeline in the 54th minute when they were awarded penalty after Joey Holmes was fouled in the big square.

Kilkelly made no mistake from the spot kick to level the game once again.

In the closing moments Westport did get their noses in front when Kevin Keane fired over a fine point.

However, Kilmeena weren’t going to be denied and regained the lead after Cormac O’Malley scored a great two-pointer before the same player added a single in the 62nd minute to leave his side winners by a deserved two points.

*See full report in next Tuesday's issue of The Connaught Telegraph