Top-class Tiernan guides comeback QUARTER-FINAL
Charlestown 2-12
Castlebar 1-14 Austin Garvin Castlebar SELDOM if ever was the importance of experience emphasised as it was on Sunday at McHale Park.
Castlebar had begun in lightning fashion, going six points to the good within five minutes of the start. They were playing superb football and were on top all over the field. But Charlestown have been down this road before and have obviously learned from the experience.
Slowly but surely they clawed their way back into contention, and when the half time whistle arrived they had turned the game around and led by a point.
During the opening quarter Castlebar took the game to the East Mayo side as they ran at them at every opportunity. Their goal, scored by Kevin Filan after three minutes, came as a result of sustained pressure. A shot from Neil Douglas was spilled by goalkeeper Neil O’Connor and snapped up by Eamon Tiernan, who fed the corner forward.
Slowly but surely, Charlestown’s grip on the game strengthened with Castlebar’s strike rate diminishing as the half progressed.
The early Mitchels dominance at centre field, where Seán Ryder picked up a lot of breaking ball and ran at the Charlestown defence, became less pronounced, as David Tiernan and Tom Parsons became central figures.
Charlestown matched Castlebar’s opening goal with a stunning one of their own from Anthony Mulligan on ten minutes. He finished clinically after Kevin Deignan and Ollie Conway between them had set up the chance.
The sides continued to swap scores on a regular basis with Castlebar clinging on to a slender one-point lead after 28 minutes. Then from out on the right hand side of the Bacon Factory goal, Mark Caffrey launched a high centre that seemed to hang in the air forever. When it eventually landed, Ollie Conway was at the end of it to fist it to the net. For a moment it looked as Conway may have been in the small square before the ball. But without hesitation the umpire raised the green flag to give the score legitimacy. It was a huge psychological boost to Charlestown as all of a sudden Castlebar’s good work disappeared. A Kevin Filan point from a free on the half time whistle left Charlestown ahead by 2-5 to 1-7.
Castlebar opened the second half with a fine point from Richie Feeney after Barry Moran had provided the pass. Two minutes later Kevin Filan hit the post with a blistering effort.
Within five minutes Charlestown had swept into a three-point lead, with Richard Haran scoring two from frees and Paul Mulligan adding another, also from a placed ball. Castlebar’s stubborn resistance continued in tandem, with Barry Moran influential at full-forward. He scored two points, and Kevin Filan adding another to bring the sides level again on 47 minutes.
Peter Ford began to ring the changes, with county minors Aidan Walsh, Ger McDonagh and Eoin Reilly all joining the fray in an effort to turn the game. Their collective presence added stimulus to the Mitchels efforts as they matched Charlestown score for score.
With three minutes of normal time still remaining, Castlebar drew level when Kevin Filan intercepted a short kickout to put Seán Ryder through for a point. A draw looked likely but David Tiernan had other ideas, landing a huge point from distance to put his side one clear. Moments later he appeared at the other end of the field, intercepting a Mitchels attack.
Charlestown held out for a win which earlier had looked highly unlikely, but was just about deserved. Their capacity to absorb pressure allied to their greater experience helped to carry the day. For Castlebar it was a case of so near and yet so far, but they certainly have made progress this season under Peter Ford and his management team.
Charlestown N O’Connor; E Casey, S Lenehan, D Caffrey; D Higgins, A Higgins, K Deignan; D Tiernan (0-1), T Parsons; R Haran (0-4, 4f), M Caffrey, P Mulligan (0-5, 3f); O Conway (1-0), A Mulligan (1-2), C Maye. Subs used: M Divilly for C Maye; R Lenehan for M Divilly.
Castlebar Mitchels R Byrne; A Roache, R O’Grady, P Healy; R Burke, T Cunniffe (0-1), N O’Hara; S Fitzmaurice, S Ryder (0-2); N Douglas, N Lydon (0-1), R Feeney (0-2); K Filan (1-3, 1f), B Moran (0-4), E Tiernan (0-1). Subs used: G McDonagh for S Fitzmaurice; E Reilly for P Healy; A Walsh for E Tiernan; E Kennedy for R O’Grady.
Referee: V Neary (Bonniconlon)
