Mayo Senior Relegation (MN)

 

Charlestown 0-13

 

Mayo Gaels 0-12

 

Fr O’Hora Park

 

Eoin Horkan

 

 

What a dramatic finish this semi-final served up, as three points from Paul Towey deep into injury time snatched victory and guaranteed his side another year at senior level.

The opening exchanges were tight and nervy, with both teams guilty of early misses in swirling Claremorris conditions. The east Mayo men settled first, Towey clipping over the game’s opening score. Ten minutes later parity was restored when Jack Fallon finally found his range after three earlier wides for his side.

Towey nudged his team back in front with a free before the Gaels struck back with a quickfire double—Adam Gallagher pointing first, then John adding another—to edge them one clear approaching the 20-minute mark. The Gaels’ defense stood firm, doubling up on Towey at every opportunity, but the Charlestown sharpshooter still found space to level matters.

As the half drew to a close, however, the Gaels seized control. A Jennings double—Padraig with the first, James with the second—sandwiched around another Gallagher point pushed them three clear at the break.

On the restart, Sarsfields came out fired up, clearly spurred on by manager Ginger Tiernan’s halftime words. Within eight minutes they had hauled themselves level again, Towey landing two points and Jack Mahon splitting the posts. The Gaels threatened a breakthrough goal soon after, but Ethan Henry’s low drive flashed narrowly wide of the post.

Towey then edged Charlestown in front once more, only for Gallagher to respond at the other end. As the game reached its midpoint, Ruairí Cullen curled over an outrageous effort from the sideline, with Towey quickly adding another to stretch the lead. Just when momentum seemed to be tilting Charlestown’s way, Adam Gallagher cut through and raised an orange flag, swinging the advantage back in favor of the Gaels.

The final ten minutes of normal time looked to belong to the south Mayo outfit. Despite another Towey score, the Gaels found their rhythm, with Jennings, Henry, and Liam Hughes all raising white flags. Hughes’s point, arriving right on the stroke of full-time, appeared to have sealed the deal, and the Gaels’ supporters roared as though survival was assured.

But the drama was far from over. From the resulting kickout, Charlestown captain Gareth O’Donnell soared highest, winning possession at a crucial moment. His drive forward earned a free, which Towey coolly slotted to level the game .

With extra time looming large, there was still time for one final twist. A late free fell to Towey once again, and the talisman made no error, curling over the match-winning point to complete a remarkable personal tally and confirm Charlestown’s senior status for 2026.

In a contest defined by resilience, drama, and shifting momentum, it was Towey’s composure under pressure that proved the difference. For the Gaels, it was heartbreak after coming so close; for Charlestown, it was jubilation, their star forward delivering when it mattered most.

 

Charlestown:Kenneth Brennan;Tadgh Horkan,Ben Conway,Niall Drudy;Sean Dunleavy,Jack Corley,Ruairí Cullen(0-1);Niall Fleming,Patrick Goldrick;Jack Mahon(0-10,Matthew Lenehan,Gareth O’Donnell;Alan Woods,Paul Towey (0-116fs  12pf),Ben Crean

Subs Used:Owen Flannery for Sean Dunleavy,Paddy Lenehan for Alan Woods

 

Mayo Gaels:Paul Mannion;John Finn,David Quinn ,Alan Brennan;Ruairí Keane,Liam Hughes(0-1),Sean Keane;Ronan Commons,Ethan Henry(0-1);Padraig Jennings (0-1),Adam Gallagher(0-3),Kevin Lynch;James Jennings(0-2),Jack Fallon (0-1),John Gallagher(0-31f).

Subs Used:Ryab McGurrin for Jack Fallon,Peter Gallagher for Padraig Jennings,Enda Jennings for Kevin Lynch

 

 

Referee John Walker