Determined Sarsfields survive the drop

FOOTBALL MAYO SFC RELEGATION PLAY-OFF

Charlestown Sarsfields 2-10 

Belmullet 1-10

KNOCKMORE

THE biggest roar in this fight for survival was not heard after the final whistle, but a few minutes into the second-half when Jack Mahon fired the ball into the Belmullet net. That goal increased the Charlestown lead to five points and set them firmly on course for victory. Players, coaches and supporters knew they had a golden opportunity at their hands to finish the season with senior status secured. 

And they would not let it slip out of their hands. Paul Towey fired home a penalty after 45 minutes and by then the men in green were leading by six points. Subsequently, the Sarsfields dropped back deep into their own half and defended brilliantly.

The Sarsfields seemed hungrier in the crucial stages of the game, hunting down Belmullet attackers and forcing errors or turnovers. Time and time again Belmullet players lost possession in a tight web of Sarsfields defenders.

Ruari Cullen, who delivered a player-of-the-match performance, speaking to The Mayo News after the match said: “It's unbelievable now. We’re going to celebrate. We knew, that if we stopped Ryan O'Donoghue, we would have a great chance to win the game, so we came up with a good defensive plan.”

Ryan O'Donoghue did manage to score nine points for Belmullet, but all from frees. The Mayo inter-county star was well contained in open play by the Charlestown defenders. 

However Belmullet did not surrender. Eamon McAndrew scored a penalty with two minutes to go, cutting the Charlestown lead to two. But it was too late and there were happy faces in abundance with Sarsfields jerseys on when the final whistle sounded. 

Belmullet have a final chance to retain their senior status next week against Kilmeena. 

They might have to do without Eoin O'Donoghue and Darragh Dixon, who left the action with injuries and their loss was remarked upon afterwards by Belmullet’s joint-manager Michael Gaynard.  “The injuries impacted our whole set-up and game plan, but in fairness the guys put in a huge shift to come extremely close.”

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