Towey's heroics earn Charlestown valuable draw

SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GROUP 4

Castlebar Mitchels 0-13

Charlestown 2-7

CASTLEBAR

WHEN Castlebar were humbled by Westport in the league final, the big question on everyone's mind was whether it was just a slip, one of those days or was it a reason for concern? Charlestown's Paul Towey settled this question, when he slotted a difficult equalising free deep into injury time this evening. 

It had been breezy enough all afternoon in Pairc Josie Munnelly and numerous attempts for the sticks had been blown off course. But Towey, who himself miscued a number of earlier efforts, rose to the occasion and perfectly executed the balancing score with the final kick. 

The roar from the Charlestown crowd which greeted Towey’s equaliser was ear-deafening, and Charlestown celebrated the fact they had just blown the group wide open, with an important away draw against one of the favourites. 

Mitchels never looked comfortable, even when they were leading 0-11 to 1-4 with six minutes left to play. At that stage, Charlestown needed a hero and Towey stepped forward. He chased down a poor Mitchels defensive pass, squeezed past a defender and centred the ball for Matthew Lenehan to tap it in for desperately-needed goal. 

What followed was a frenzy that only championship football can produce. Charlestown took the lead, then Castlebar replied with a score and then took the lead Mitchels, but once more the men in green pushed up the field and earned a free which proved to be the last kick of this thrilling encounter.  

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