Lahardane are champions after epic Connacht final

Connacht Junior Club Championship Final

Lahardane MacHales 3-10

Owenmore Gaels 1-12

Michael Gallagher in Castlebar

On a spring day in 1912 a group of young people left the hills around Lahardane, came out through The Gap and headed off to board The Titanic as they searched for better times and a bright future. On Saturday morning a squadron of young men in black and amber left the hills, came out through The Gap and went in search of football glory. On Saturday evening, they returned in a sea or noise, light and emotion as champions of all they surveyed.

Lahardane, Bofeenaun and all the villages behind The Gap have experienced days and nights when tears fell like rain but tonight, the only tears running down cheeks were those of pure and utter joy.

Lahardane are Connacht champions after an epic final against the hugely impressive champions of Sligo, Owenmore Gaels.

The match began under a blanket of fog which tested the ocular ability of all in the stadium even with an orange ball in play.

The Sligo boys were fast, direct and fearless. Lahardane were powerful, pacey and produced two goals which gave them a 2-4 to 0-7 lead at the interval.

Matthew Maughan palmed home the first net-shaker after 20 minutes and Kyran Jordan ran 40 yards to blast home the second one six minutes later.

Owenmore Gaels were hugely impressive in the opening half with brothers Mark and Dillon Walsh catching the eye at midfield and wing-forward respectively.

Aaron Mullen was kicking points and but for the brilliance of Lahardane's goalkeeper Joe Queenan the Sligo men would have at least one goal on their tally.

The Mayo champions began the second half on the front foot and extended the lead to six after 40 minutes as Jordan, Shane Finnerty and Darragh Walsh drove forward from the middle.

However, the chasers roared back into it and were on the charge at the start of the final quarter when Lahardane hit the game's decisive score. A long ball into the Sligo square was grabbed by Mark Noone, he flicked it across the goal and Finnerty gleefully shook the net. The roar cut through the fog and rattled Nephin.

Lahardane were heading for home and the crowd were carrying their young men into history. However, the Gaels hadn't read the script and refused to yield despite being eight points down.

Mullen kicked two points and Dillon Walsh raced through for a fabulous goal and suddenly there was only a goal between them as time ticked away.

Lahardane needed one last push and they got it. Jordan, Aaron Murphy, James Maughan, Adrian Leonard, Benny Joyce, Chris Rowland and their colleagues drew a line in the sand and when Adrian Leonard put four between them deep in injury time the dream was ready for delivery.

Word flew through the ether to get the bonfires ready. The boys would be coming through The Gap with the cup before night and celebrations would be had. There were no time for tears, no time for regret. Lahardane were champions amid scenes of wild delight, laughter, hugs and smiles as broad as Lough Conn. The boys from the hills had climbed another mountain and it was time to take stock.

A full match report and after-match reaction will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News