A fanstatstic victory in a titanic battle ensured Charlestown U16s lengthened their summer and remained in the County championship. The ‘never say die attitude’ exemplified by this team was obvious to see, resulting in a final winning margin of 3 points against an impressive Castlebar side at a wet and wild Munnelly Park in the county town; anything other than typical July conditions!
The game started at a thundering pace and Charlestown came flying out of the blocks, knowing nothing less than a win would keep them in this year’s championship. Paul Towey shook the net in the second minute after some good build up play involving Ben Conway, Jack Mahon and Ciaran Honeyman. Mahon himself got in on the scoring act burying a major after being left one on one with a fantastic pass from Martin McCormack. Charlestown were not done yet and after 10 minutes led 3:00 – 0:00, the third – another Towey effort. The first quarter was played at a frantic pace and the ‘town should have been further to the good but squandered numerous important chances that could have already put them out of sight of the hosts, even at such an early stage.
Instead, we did not score for the rest of the half as Castlebar pinned their opposition in and began to dominate. Some heroic defending by Darragh Casey and Dillon Curry, including a superb block by the latter denying a certain goal, ensured that the west Mayo team did not run away with the game. A Castlebar goal was then followed by a penalty that gave Declan Forkan no chance. It became a case of batting down the hatches for the Sarsfields as they attempted to weather the storm that was akin to the terrible weather conditions. Important pressure and tight marking by David and Aaron Doherty, supported by Jack Brennan and McCormack who had now dropped to centre back, meant that Castlebar had to be content with taking pints where perhaps goal chances may have been on. As the clock neared half time, disaster struck as Charlestown conceded another penalty. Once again, the Castlebar corner forward decisively finished low to the left to leave us one in arrears at the break – 3:00 – 2:04.
While our lads would have been disappointed to be trailing at half-time considering we had not taken the many chances that presented themselves in the first 15 minutes, there would have been a sense of contentment that the game was still firmly up for grabs having been dominated by the home side in the second quarter. It was imperative that the men in green and white started well upon the resumption to give ourselves any chance of staying in the competition.
That was exactly what happened! The ball had barely been thrown in when Ben Conway hurdled on from midfield and kicked a superb score to tie the game. From this Charlestown began to build a solid platform in the middle of the park as Patrick Goldrick came into the game and began to get on more ball. The game ebbed and flowed for the next 20 minutes with Castlebar always a point or two to the good. Much like in Ballintubber the week previous, it looked like it wasn’t to be for our lads who had fought so bravely throughout. With five minutes remaining Castlebar led 3:09 – 4:05. David Doherty then raided forward and kicked a good score to draw the teams level again.
As the rain continued to bucket down, it became more apparent that a goal would win the game with so little time remaining. This looked certain when Towey was sent through after a Goldrick delivery only for the Castlebar keeper to make a terrific save in knocking the ball onto the crossbar. That looked to be our last chance, particularly when Castlebar kicked themselves one in front with just two minutes of normal time left. Once again Conway lept from the middle of the field to claim another clean catch (one of a number from the Charlestown no. 8 on the night), even more impressive considering the appealing weather conditions. From this Niall Drudy and Goldrick exchanged passes before Jack Mahon was put through with the goalie to beat. His soccer attempt was denied by the keeper but Honeyman was on hand to power the ball over the line whilst receiving attention from two Castlebar defenders. Charlestown now led by four, the biggest lead of the second half, 5:08 – 3:10.
As the clock ticked into injury time Charlestown retreated and invited pressure from the opposition. The last minutes were played in front of our goals but our lads defended stoutly and were not going to let the hosts in for the goal they needed. Instead Castlebar had to be content with a point after some long build up play. From the kick out the referee blew the full-time whistle and Charlestown were victors on a scoreline of 5:08 – 3:11. This was justly deserved after a fabulous fighting performance by our lads who left it all on the pitch, backed by a considerable travelling support who roared the Sarsfields over the line.
We now await the draw for a 3 way playoff involving ourselves, Castlebar and Ballintubber which will take place next Tuesday night. 2 of the 3 teams will progress to the semi-final stages of the County Championship. There is a lot to play for, with two tiles up for grabs in the coming month with our lads also in the East Mayo “A” final against Ballaghaderren, believed to be next Tuesday week, 9th August. The County Championship playoffs will then commence the following week.
Team: Declan Forkan, Darragh Casey, Dillon Curry, Jack Brennan, David Doherty, Aaron Doherty, Ben Conway, Patrick Goldrick, Ciaran Honeyman, Martin McCormack, Niall Drudy, Paul Towey, Jack Mahon, Brendan McCormack, Micheal Durcan, Dylan Marren, Eoin Goldrick.
