Mike Finnerty
Roscommon
AFTER three minutes of this Connacht Club SFC semi-final at Hyde Park last Sunday it looked like the only issue would be the margin of Castlebar’s victory.
Two quickfire goals had been scored by Richie Feeney and Barry Moran, and Clann na nGael seemed to be in all kinds of trouble. Those observers that had been queuing up in advance to predict a comfortable Mitchels win were nodding knowingly.
However, this compelling contest didn’t follow that proposed script and, instead, Castlebar were made to pull out all the stops before making sure of their place in another final.
Clann were stubborn opponents who were in no mood to roll over, and with Donie Shine landing nine brilliant points (all but one from frees), they were always within striking distance, yet unable to get close enough to land a big blow.
When Mitchels were good, they were very good, and the way they opened Clann up for goals and some superb points would not have been lost on Corofin ahead of Sunday week’s rematch.
Castlebar are at their best when they keep the pace and intensity high, and move the ball quickly.
That was seen to full effect in those first few minutes and again during a crucial period midway through the second half when Neil Douglas (free), Paddy Durcan and Shane Hopkins all nailed points to finally break Clann’s resistance.
In between, the Mayo champions had their hands full with Clann na nGael’s tactic of crowding the middle third of the field, while Donie Shine and Ultan Harney also caused more than a few problems when running towards the Mitchels goal.
But, ultimately, Clann never fully recovered from their disastrous start and Castlebar had the experience, quality and composure to see the game out.
They also had the match’s most influential performer in Paddy Durcan; the half-back’s piercing runs punching holes in Clann’s cover and his appetite for hard work inspiring his colleagues.
He also finished one mazy, penetrating burst with a fantastic point and caught the resultant kick-out for good measure.
The goals that propelled Castlebar into the driving seat came before some of the crowd had even taken their seats; Richie Feeney netting with aplomb inside the first minute after Danny Kirby picked him out with a quickly-taken free, and minutes later Barry Moran goaled from close-range after a trademark ‘pass-and-move’ Mitchels move carved Clann open again.
The traffic was all one-way and Eoghan O’Reilly tagged on a free to leave Castlebar up by 2-2 to 0-1.
To their credit the Rossies dug in and stayed in touch thanks to the unerring free-taking of Donie Shine.
But no sooner were they starting to make inroads after three superb strikes early in the second quarter, than Castlebar pounced for a third goal on 21 minutes from Danny Kirby after another slick counter-attacking move.
Again, Clann’s response was a positive one and they rattled off four points (two from the talented Ultan Harney) without reply to leave it, 3-2 to 0-8.
Castlebar knew they were in a battle for the first time in quite a while, so Danny Kirby’s point just on the stroke of half-time came in handy.
Clann came out with all guns blazing again after the restart and Donie Shine potted a couple of frees to cut the deficit in half.
Mitchels’ mettle was being tested, and their cause wasn’t helped when Aidan Walsh was black-carded in the fifth minute for a hand-trip on Clann sub’ Cathal Callinan.
It was at this stage that Paddy Durcan stepped up and his dynamism and leadership coincided with a run of three crucial scores that nudged Castlebar five points ahead again with fifteen minutes to go.
Remarkably, Clann hit back twice with points from Donie Shine, one a spectacular effort from play, but each time Castlebar replied with scores from lively subs, James Durcan and Cian Costello, to keep the Rossies’ at a safe distance.
The Mitchels defence also earned their corn in the closing stages, restricting Clann to just a disputed Donie Shine free deep in stoppage time.
Castlebar
R Byrne; T Cunniffe, A Feeney, D Newcombe; P Durcan, E O’Reilly (0-2, 2fs), R O’Malley; G McDonagh, B Moran (1-0); S Hopkins, N Lydon, A Walsh; N Douglas, R Feeney (1-0), D Kirby (1-1).
Subs used: J Durcan (0-1), C Costello (0-1), F Durkan, S Keane, R Burke
Clann Na nGael
R O’Reilly; R Gavin, D Flynn, S Pettit; J Connaughton, G Pettit, F Lennon; C Shine, D Shine; E Kenny, U Harney, M Scally; J Fahy (0-1, 1f), R McManus, J Dunning.
Subs used: S Flynnn, C Callinan, D Pettit, D Connaughton, R Naughton, A O’Reilly.
Referee: J Gilmartin (Sligo)
