Westport get their championship challenge off and running

MAYO SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

Westport 1-18

Mayo Gaels 1-13

In Westport

TWO footballers at either end of the experience-scale proved to be the difference on Saturday evening when Westport produced a fine second half display to get past the men from Mayo Abbey. The youthful Joey Holmes and the veteran Kevin Keane were hugely prominent as the home side recovered from a poor first-half showing to get their championship campaign off and running.

Mayo Gaels faced into the breeze in the opening half but made little of that impediment with wing-back Sean Keane handling a huge amount of ball and Liam Hughes driving through the middle.

Westport, who lined out without Lee Keegan, started well and were five clear after 19 minutes after four points from Conal Dawson, and singles from Ben Doyle and Killian Kilkelly.

Luke Tunney also had a goal chance brilliantly saved by Paul Mannnion, but Westport weren't hitting the high notes and the Gaels were solid and secure. The guests were hit with a hammer-blow when talismanic forward Adam Gallagher had to leave the field injured early on, but they finished the half brilliantly.

John Gallagher was on fire from placed balls and the scores were tied at 0-6 apiece at the break. Mayo Gaels would have the wind behind them in the second period and seemed to have all the momentum, so huge questions were being asked of the home side.

They answered those queries brilliantly straight after half time. Joey Holmes rolled home a goal after just 43 seconds and Keane, who had come off the bench in the first half, became the central figure in attack.

This allowed the deadly Kilkelly the space in which to flourish and points began to flow for Pat Holmes' men.

The Gaels hit back with a classy goal from Andrew Quinn when he got on the end of a smart Ethan Henry pass, but there was no holding Westport. They powered forward time and time again.

Lorcan Silke, Brian McDermott, Luke Tunney, Rory Brickenden and their colleagues were bouncing across the ground and the issue was decided well before the end.

Mayo defender Eoghan McLaughlin returned from a ling injury lay-off when he came off the bench in the second half and he kicked a late point for Westport as they eased to a five-point win.

A full match report and reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.