MEMORY LANE: Mayo Senior Final replay sparks look at past deciders

2001: CHARLESTOWN SARSFIELDS BRIDGE 99-YEAR WAIT FOR GLORY

Charlestown Sarsfields 2-16 Knockmore 0-8

A century is a long time to wait. Thankfully, the brave boys of Charlestown didn’t have to wait quite that long, as they ended a 99-year wait to end up at the top of the tree after the turn of the millennium.

It had been a long time since the Sarsfields had last enjoyed being champions, all the way back in 1902, when they beat Ballina McBrides to become the fourth recorded champions.

In the century that followed, they only made the decider once, where they lost out to Knockmore in 1992.

Nine years had elapsed since that date, but the Sarsfields boys hadn’t forgotten. Far from it.

The first instalment of this decider had a peculiar wrinkle to it. Kevin O’Neill, one of Knockmore’s great footballers, was due to fly in from New York to play his part in MacHale Park.

However, due to the tragic events of 9-11, all planes were grounded. The county final was far from the most important thing on that day, but O’Neill was forced to miss out.

In spite of his absence, the men from St Joseph’s Park produced a remarkable comeback from six points down on the MacHale Park turf in front of the 4,000-strong crowd to earn a second bite of the cherry.

The next day out was less of an evenly-contested affair as a fine injury time period in the first half saw the Sarsfields kick five scores to open up an unassailable seven point lead and ensured wild celebrations which are remembered by the men in green to this day.