Westport clinch Mayo Under-17 crown in style with emphatic win

UNDER-17 DIVISION ONE FINAL

Westport 5-13

Ballaghaderreen-Kilmovee 0-10

In Bekan

A stupendous first half paved the way for an exemplary Westport to earn the title of Mayo’s kings in Bekan.

There was little by way of sunlight on a brisk morning at the centre of excellence, but whatever sunlight disappeared early in the tie reappeared just as the full-time whistle shrilled, almost in a show of appreciation for this wonderful outfit.

A four-goal return for Captain Fantastic Ben Holmes was essential in what was a five-star performance against Ballaghaderreen-Kilmovee.

Westport opened the scoring as Matthew Scahill fed Dara Dawson, who curled over after 90 seconds. Before long, Fionn O’Cinnesalla sent his marker to double the advantage. The amalgamated side did try to match the pace early doors, and you certainly couldn’t fault their intensity. Oran Frain halved the deficit, but the intensity and determination of the men from the shores of Clew Bay was to be lauded.

Ross O’Connor and Fiachra O’Cinnsealla added singles, while Conan Reily’s orange flag helped widen the margin. Ryan O’Sullivan was trying to lead the charge for the easterners, but Westport were always out on the front foot, pushing the pace and hemming their unwilling victims in. Ben Holmes opened his personal account, while O’Cinnsealla showed his marker a clean pair of heels before raising a white flag.

Two more O’Sullivan singles ate into the gap, but Westport wanted to strike for blood before the changing of ends. When quick handwork saw Fiachra O’Cinnsealla feed Holmes, he looked primed to find the onion bag. Noel Regan’s save was marvellous, but the ball cannoned off the bar and back to the waiting Oisín Wallace, who dispatched with aplomb. Frain did respond with a two-pointer at the other end, but by Vincent Neary’s signal for halftime, things were looking ominous.

The sky-blue soldiers kept the foot on the pedal, but Ballagh-Killmovee kept trying to make inroads. Ryan O’Sullivan and James Puncheon were throwing some jabs one way, but Westport were coming out swinging. They were eager to batter down the door and rattle the net again, and nine minutes in, Holmes did just that, rising higher than everyone to turn Fionn O’Cinnsealla’s long ball home.

Darragh Reynolds’ effort was the first white flag of Act Two after several missed attempts, but those didn’t faze the ‘Port. In fact, when Fiachra O’Cinnsealla played the ball across the face of goal for Holmes to palm into an empty net, it was curtains.

The game had an academic feel to it by this stage in spite of the silverware on the line, and Holmes had his hat-trick, after turning in another ‘up-and-under’.

By the time he’d rattled in his fourth with one of the last plays, the tie was gone, and this exemplary Westport team were looking far beyond Mayo, with the best of Connacht in their crosshairs.

A full report, plus reaction, will be carried in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.