'Hurling kept me sane' says Mitchels’ hero

THE man of the match award had been accepted and celebratory pictures taken when Abdullah Abbasi spoke to The Mayo News and tried to put words on the injury-time goal that won the county Junior ‘B’ championship title for Castlebar Mitchels.
“I had played a lot of the second half at centre-back and made a load of mistakes. Then, near the end Mark (Deely) told me to go into the full-forward line and see if anything would happen. 
“It was a very tight game. There was nothing in it and I knew when the ball came to me it was our last chance. The Gaels lads tried to pull me back but the luck was with me and I managed to get it into the net. We’re so delighted. It’s just great to have won. We’re so happy!
“We made a lot of mistakes and a lot of our passing was poor,” he added. “Fair play to Caiseal Gaels they turned us over so many times but we kept at it and thankfully came through as a team. It was a real team display today. It had to be and we’re just so happy now,” Abbasi said before speaking about the significance of the victory.
“We’ve been playing hurling together since we were little boys. Winning today wasn’t just for the team, it was for our community, our home club and the great group of people who love hurling.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I owe so much to this club. It has always been a central part of my life, so to win in such exciting circumstances is very special.
“I was working in Switzerland earlier in the year and would get home every six weeks. The hurling kept me sane. I’m in Dublin now and get home during the week and at weekends. It’s my club and I love it,” he concluded with a smile.