Throwback Thursday: Crashed planes and county titles in Mayo

This week in Mayo, many interesting and fascinating stories have caught the eye. 

However, what are some of the stories that were filling the very newspaper of The Mayo News in year's gone by?

Here, we'll go through some of the most interesting, unique, and timely tales captured in the paper.

Whether it be a peculiar discovery in Ballinrobe in 1935, or the sporting achievements of some of the county's finest in the 80s and 90s, there are plenty of fascinating tales in this walk down Memory Lane.

1935: LITHUANIAN PLANE CRASHES IN BALLINROBE

Residents of Ballinrobe received a bit of an unexpected visitor in late September 1935, when a Lithuanian plane crash landed in one of their fields during the day.

On Sunday, September 22, 1935, 28-year-old pilot Felix Waitkus came to an abrupt end when his mono-plane, 'Lithuania II', touched down in a field in South Mayo.

Mr Waitkus had departed New York at 5.30 am on the Saturday morning, intending to make it as far as Baldonnel in Dublin, however ended up about 150 kilometres short.

The plane was badly damaged, however the pilot emerged unscathed to the amazement of local farmers.

The damaged aircraft was transported to Dublin for repairs, while Felix thanked all those in Mayo who helped him in his time of need.

1985: MAYO MINORS DEFEAT CORK IN ALL-IRELAND FINAL

Croke Park was the scene of a historic moment for the Green and Red in late September 1985, when Mayo's cubs defeated Cork on a scoreline of 3-3 to 0-9 to capture their sixth All-Ireland crown.

The side will forever be indebted to the heroics of a young Michael John Mullin, who scored two vital goals as they downed the Rebels.

Mayo were trailing at half-time by two points, but an inspirational Michael Fitzmaurice side-line point spearheaded a fantastic comeback.

By the end, the men from the West were the ones celebrating wildly after what team manager Mick Burke described as 'a great team effort and a great team victory'.

On Monday night, the side were given a rousing reception as they travelled back into the county with the trophy in tow.

2005: FAMILIAR FACES AS CROSSMOLINA CAPTURE MOCLAIR CUP

In a somewhat fitting turn of events given the club's appearance in the semi-final this weekend, Crossmolina Deel Rovers club members can look favourably on the events of 20 years ago, when the club captured the Moclair Cup.

Peadar Gardiner was in inspired form as the men from the banks of the Deel scaled the summit, beating Shrule-Glencorrib by a sole point in MacHale Park.

There were some talented future footballers in the terraces, too. Sinead Walsh (pictures below) has shot the lights out for Mayo in recent years and, in a twist of fate, she will be emulating her father, Gabriel, when she runs out onto the Castlebar turf with the hopes of winning a county title on Saturday for MacHale Rovers.