Castlebar Mitchels are this year’s SFL Division 1 title winners, as they beat county champions Westport in this evening’s title decider at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park to seal back-to-back League title wins. The decider went to extra-time with Mitchels edging it at the finish by 2-16 to 0-21.
Castlebar were to the fore for long stretches this evening and arguably should have closed the win out in normal time. They were well on top in the first half and at the break they led by 0-11 to 0-6.
Westport got the first two scores in the second half but when Ultan O’Reilly finished off a good move to crash the ball to the net, Mitchels were six to the good and seemed to be on the high road to victory. It wasn’t to be, however, as the Covies reeled off six points without reply – three from the impressive Colm Moran – to haul themselves level midway through the second half.
With the game approaching the end of normal time, Castlebar were back in front again, leading by two points, but Westport bagged to late scores to force extra-time.
They now looked to have the advantage, as they pushed ahead but it was just a single point they led by at the halfway mark in extra-time. Two additional points on the resumption saw Westport move three points clear and now it looked like theirs to lose.
But lose it they did, as Mitchels came with one more heave late in extra-time. Bob Tuohy’s thunderous drive off his left yielded his team their second major of the evening and levelled the match up once more. Then Ethan Gibbons curled over a free to seal the win for Mitchels.
Below are match highlights from Mayo GAA TV:
Highlights as @WestportG and @MitchelsGaa went toe to toe in an epic Division 1 Final with Castlebar winning out by just one point in the end 2-16 to 0-21. @StreamSport | #MayoCreditUnions https://t.co/98AGVyPwM4
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) August 5, 2023
The SFL Division 3 final was also played earlier this evening at James Stephens Park, Ballina. Ardagh came out on top in this North Mayo derby tussle, beating neighbours Ardnaree Sarsfields by 2-7 to 0-7.
Could well be playing each other in the county final later this year. Two strong teams.
Bob touhy such a young talent hope he gets more game time next year!
Congrats to Mitchells. It was a very good game in fairness. As a Westport man it was disappointing to lose it especially being 3 points up near the end of extra time. Nevertheless, considering we were missing our 3 county players, Fionn McDonagh, Rory Brickenden and Eoghan McLaughlin, I’d be quietly confident for the championship once those lads come back.
League final bonus pod is up now on Patreon.
Hopefully we will find a couple stars like Touhy and Moran, I believe that King from Knockmore will improve us if he can commit and stays injury free,we are in a very good position
Great win for Belmullet
ROD on fire
Any new players stand out in Division 1 or 2 Finals. What was Mark Moran like for Wesport ,Colin seemed to play well, Can anyone at these games give an update on players form.
Culmore. When Colm Moran came on in 2nd half he eclipsed his brother and had he been on earlier they would probably have won. R.O.D. was outstanding today for Belmullet both in playmaki g and scoring. Fionnon Ryan at midfield also caught the eye. Big, strong, mobile and good in the air.
It was a very filthy match. Lee Keegan flaked a Castlebar player in the 2nd half and should of seen the line, it was one mighty elbow thump.
Westport have some great tough and steely defenders.
I hope McStay and co give them a fair crack at it for 2024.
Thought last night’s game was of a far higher standard and intensity than today’s. Didn’t think the game was to dirty as a neutral, Mitchels management sail very close to wind though.
Colm Moran for Westport made the difference for them up front, while some silly defensive mistakes cost Westport ultimately.
Ryan the difference for Bellmullet, BMD left a few one on ones behind them that proved costly.
I think Colm would add more to the senior set up than Mark. Lovely corner forward. Maybe just lacking that bit of pace though.
He did kick some nice points Colm Moran and he’s two footed. Wouldn’t think he has any pace issue, by the eye test he always looked fine on that front. His type of build is usually quick over 10 yards and he’s definitely agile.
Bob Tuohy already looks like he has a few healthy lbs on which is good to see. He was taking scores with confidence.
Cian McHale looked good today for BMD and Fionan Ryan was decent too but feel both lack that yard of pace to be good at intercounty level. McHale has a lovely left foot though. ROD was miles ahead of every other player on the field,
True Tommy Joe, at Michael Walsh game between Ballina and Knockmore, week before while Frank Irwin and Evan Regan were missing for Ballina, along with 6 or 7 Knockmore starters Kevin McLoughlin still looked best on the pitch.
The top players stick out.
My pals were at a few Meath championship games last weekend end and the county players did not stick out..
That is the difference between the Tailteann cup and Sam, I think Meath beat all Division 3and 4 teams to win it.
It is a long ago since they beat a division 1 team.
Long road back.
Bookies have Moclair race odds as:
1st Westport,
2nd Ballina,
3rd Castlebar
Ballina with all their current (Callinan, O’Hora, McStay, Murray, F.Irwin) and past (Clarke, Cafferkey, Regan, Tracey) county senior players, and others with underage experience like J.Irwin, Collins, Boland, Morrin and Feeney I think, should really be up there.
With everyone available it’s hard to separate the top four.
Castlebar look to have improved their scoring options.
Westport simply have a lot of depth.
Ballina are a solid outfit and so are Knockmore.
Possibly Castlebar and Westport are on a slightly higher level than the other two.
Westport St. Patrick’s huge depth for sure, a huge area to draw from including all Aghagower parish. And now that pitch looks like it’s built in Kilmeena that reach could widen in coming years.
Of the large town teams Ballina and Claremorris seem to make the least of their numerical advantage over other clubs.
People are entitled to talk about what they like but I am fed up with club discussions constantly being turned into a county discussion. This obsession with the county is possibly what destroys us in the end with over expectation and hype.
sinabhuil, agree totally. County is over .
Now it’s club time.
Your forgetting knockmore haven’t gone away lads and ladies
True Robert, but missing most there team for most of league, even in Michael Walsh last week about 7 starters still missing v Ballina, very hard get all gelled together in short turn around.
Good win for Balla in minor B championship tonight:
Balla 5-11
Ballina 1-12
With size of Ballina you’d think they be in A constantly like Mitchels and Westport.