Swinford refuse to be beaten and go home with county crown

Mayo U-21 C Championship Final

Swinford 2-11 Erris St Pat’s 1-12

Michael Gallagher in Ballina

There were bonfires over Swinford on Saturday evening as the historic town welcomed home their fine young men with the spoils of war. They had won an exciting, entertaining decider in the wonderfully presented James Stephen’s Park and celebrated as only Swinford people can.

Erris St Pat’s were worthy opponents and pushed the winners every step of the way but Swinford’s better use of possession proved decisive at the end of a game that went all the way to the final moments of extra time before it was decided.

The wind was wild and powerful all day and played a major role in proceedings. Swinford had it on their backs in the opening half and made little use of it. They powered forward time and time again and looked to find inside-forward Luke McNicholas with direct ball, but the approach had limited success.

St Pat’s were well set-up and determined and dynamic in their play. Charlie Ginnelly, Rory Conway, Nathan Ginnelly, Brendan Conway, John Ginty and Owen Doherty were prominent for the Kiltane/Ballycroy selection and Swinford were second best for periods.

However, a superb volleyed goal from McNicholas helped Swinford to half time where they were still in touch, 1-1 to 1-4. St Pats’ attacking ace was full-forward Josh Carey who was superb at times. The Mayo minor ended the half with 1-3 to his name – the goal a thing of extreme beauty when he chipped home a superb score. James Armstrong also got in on the scoring and St Pat’s looked to be headed for glory, three clear and the gale to come in the second half.

However, that’s when Swinford drew a line in the sand and set off in search of glory. Sean McDonagh opened his shoulders and was superb at full-forward, Raef Donnelly was central to everything at centre-half-back as Danny Molloy, Darragh Henry, Euan McDonnell and Dylan Toner dominated matters around the middle.

That drove the young men in black and red to a four-point lead with time almost up, but St Pat’s are proud and powerful and a fantastic finish from the barony boys yielded two points from Carey another from Armstrong and a buzzer-beater from John Ginty to draw the game and initiate extra-time.

Swinford had the wind for the first period and made it pay. McDonnell and the excellent Henry kicked points and they were two up at the change of ends. The leaders refused to let the wind blow them off course after that and when Thomas Tuffy, one of the star’s of this season’s Connacht minor final, kicked Swinford three clear the writing was on the wall.

Brendan Conway kicked a late point for St Pat’s but the cup was already booked for a trip to Swinford and the wonderful welcome awaiting it there.

A full match report will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.