Claremorris come back from the dead to win thrilling U-21A final

MAYO U-21A CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

Claremorris 1-15

Westport 1-14

In Castlebar

THE greatest Hollywood screen-writer would be hard-pressed to come up with a better 'comeback story' than the one served up by the young men of Claremorris today in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

Three points down a minute into injury-time, they refused to stop believing and after a late Adam Beirne point closed the gap to two, the stage was set for a grand-stand finish. 

Westport seemed to have weathered the storm when they attacked up the right wing as the sands of time ran out, but a substitution had been made during injury-time and the referee rightly let play pass the three added minutes signaled by the fourth official. 

The chasers tackled like demons. Rio Mortimer won possession and set in train a move which will be recalled for generations by Claremorris supporters fortunate enough to have set eyes on it. As excitement reached fever-pitch, Dara Hurley, went on a meandering run through the heart of the Westport defence. He was brought to ground by a flailing Westport body, and when the ball ran loose, young Jake Mullin grabbed it and lashed it into the corner to unleash scenes of utter elation and clawing devastation.

Claremorris had come back from the dead and when the final whistle sounded they celebrated like never before.

Westport looked as if they had the result sewn up during the second half thanks to a fine goal from Ben Holmes and a classy two-pointer from the excellent Conal Dawson.

There had been just a sliver between them at the interval when Westport led 0-9 to 0-8 after a first half that never truly sparkled.

The second period was much-improved. Darragh Hoban and the excellent Darragh Beirne exchanged points before a long ball from Fionn Ó Connseala was gathered by Holmes and smartly finished to the net. That gave Westport breathing space and there were five between the sides at the end of the third quarter when Dawson landed his two-pointer.

However, Westport would only add one further point, courtesy of Elcmar O'Toole, before the end and Claremorris refused to be beaten.

Mark Noonan was outstanding at the back, Niall Hurley relentless at the other end while Dara Hurley and Paul Gilmore also got on the scoresheet. Craig Cassidy and Dara Hurley had goal chances stopped by a combination of Conor Meaney, O'Toole and Lorcan Silke as time ticked away and it seemed Westport were headed for the winners' circle, but there was a sting in the tail.

Claremorris never gave up and their never-say-die attitude produced one of the most memorable finishes in the long and proud history of the club from Fr Gibbons Park.

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