Impressive Garrymore beat Castlebar and secure home quarter-final
Mayo’s championship-weekend opens with classy Garrymore victory
MAYO SENIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Garrymore 0-19
Castlebar Mitchels 0-14
In Hollymount
FRIDAY night was a good night for Garrymore as they powered to victory in St Coman’s Park and secured a home quarter-final thanks to a well-earned win over Castlebar Mitchels.
The men in white and red were full value for their win and wouldn’t have been flattered by a bigger margin of victory in the superbly-appointed Hollymount venue. Garrymore were clearly the better team and excelled at both ends of the pitch. They had a number of impressive performers, but the statement win was built on a solid foundation of teamwork with the starting team and substitutes throwing everything at the Castlebar men.
The Mitchels were disappointing. They never found their flow. However, that was down to ferocious, well-timed Garrymore play, which left the men in yellow and red with severely restricted time and space.
Castlebar were backed by the breeze in the first half but went in a point adrift at the interval. They were pinned back early as debutant Adam Gallagher, David Dolan (who was popping up everywhere), Darren Quinn and Trevor Nally all pointed.
At the other end, Anthony O’Boyle, James Durcan, Fintan Borotto, Rory Byrne, Calum Filan and Cian Walsh all found their range, but Garry’ were the better side. Colin Commins, Cathal Slattery, Liam Óg Horkan and Enda Hession were tireless and some of the smart play from Shane Nally was a joy to behold.
Neil Douglas came off the bench to kick a classy two-pointer for the Mitchels early in the second half but Garrymore were in no mood to lose this.
Darren Quinn caught the eye with a fantastic slaloming run and point, followed by a classy two-pointer. Joe Forry replied but the momentum was with the southern side. Hession, Gary Golden and Eoin McGreal powered forward from the middle time after time and Aaron Hughes kicked a point before Mark Gibbons came off the bench to kick a two-pointer from near the sideline.
That was the end of the affair and although Anthony O’Boyle, Sean Morahan, Paddy Durcan and Douglas got late scores for the Castlebar men there was no catching Garrymore who looked dangerous every time they attacked.
The final whistle was met with a mighty roar from the Garrymore followers who celebrated a momentous victory which guaranteed a home quarter-final in two weeks time.
A full report and reaction will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.