Mayo Senior B Hurling (CT)

 Mayo Senior B Hurling Final 

Castlebar Mitchels 0-12

St Ciarans 0-11

Eoin Horkan 

Josie Munnelly Park

Scahill the Hero as Castlebar Edge Dramatic Final in Dying Moments

It wasn’t a classic from the outset, but when it finally kicked into gear, this final delivered tension in spades. And when the dust settled, it was Castlebar Mitchels who emerged triumphant – thanks to a nerveless late free from the ever-reliable Corey Scahill.

The early stages were more of a chess match than a shootout. For the first ten minutes, both sides probed cautiously, mirroring the familiarity that comes from training on adjacent pitches just a week earlier. Neither camp was willing to blink first, and the crowd waited patiently for someone to take charge.

That moment arrived when Barry Lane struck the game’s opening score, slotting confidently to settle Mitchels’ nerves. Any hopes of an early surge were quickly snuffed out as St. Ciarans captain Brendan Sheridan responded in kind, leveling matters and lifting his team. Castlebar then began to dictate play, capitalising on frees as Scahill converted twice with minimum fuss. Down the other end, Luke Hurley provided resistance, clipping over a tidy effort to keep the amalgamated outfit within touching distance.

Then came the first moment of real drama – a gilt-edged goal chance that seemed certain to tilt momentum, only for Kevin Duffy to produce a save worthy of the occasion. It proved a temporary stay of execution. Niall Peoples curled over an exquisite effort from the flank to restore parity, signalling that the contest had finally come alive.

But Castlebar weren’t rattled. Lane reasserted their authority before Scahill once again showcased his accuracy from distance. Into the closing minutes of the half, Mitchels stretched clear as Scahill and Eoin Enright split the posts with precision. Hurley clawed one back before the whistle to leave just three between them at the interval – enough to offer hope, but not comfort.

Castlebar were the first to ring the changes, and it paid dividends immediately. Substitute John Kennedy made a near-instant impact, launching one from range that sailed perfectly between the uprights. It looked like Mitchels were about to pull away – but St. Ciarans had other ideas. James Gallagher and John Heraty landed vital scores from distance, narrowing the margin and reenergising their supporters.

Again, Scahill responded, landing another free to steady the ship. But the resistance from St. Ciarans intensified. Hurley was growing into the game, and when Ronan Fallon chipped in alongside another Sheridan free – either side of a Colm Enright score – the gap was suddenly the bare minimum entering the final quarter.

What followed was pure championship grit. Sheridan and Paddy Dozio began to exert real influence around the middle third, refusing to allow Mitchels an easy ride. Scahill nudged the favourites two clear once more with another composed free as the clock ticked towards the closing stages – but then came a seismic twist.

Jack Doocey, quiet until then, powered forward from the middle of the park to give his side hope.

The tension was palpable as time ebbed away. Sheridan – inspirational throughout – conjured another spectacular point from a near-impossible angle to level matters once more. Extra-time appeared inevitable.

But finals have a habit of producing one final act.

As the seconds ticked into red, Mitchels won a free within range. There was never any doubt who would take it. Scahill stepped forward, placed the ball, and with ice in his veins, struck cleanly over the black spot. The whistle followed almost instantly.

A slow burner, perhaps – but one that erupted into a gripping finish. And when the moment of truth arrived, Corey Scahill stood tallest.

Castlebar Mitchels;Martin Parsons;Ronan Treacy,James Lowe,Ciaran Treacy;Conor Donaldson,Conor Murray,Liam Mullins;Darren McTighe,Anthony Rowland;Pierce Murray,Eoin Enright(0-1),Conor Martin;Barry Lane(0-2),Corey Scahill (0-7fs),Colm Enright.

Subs Used. John Kennedy (0-1) for Conor Donaldson,Bob Tuohy for Ciaran Treacy,Lucas Kenny for Barry Lane, Abbi Abbassi for Conor Martin.

St Ciarans:Kevin Duffy Ballina Stephenites,Evan Heraty Moytura,James Carroll Ballyvary,Conor Ketterick Westport St Patricks;Sean McGhee Ballyvary,Michael Gallaghe Westport St Patricks,James Gallagher(0-1) Westport St Patricks;Jack Doocey Ballyvary(0-1),John Heraty(0-1) Moytura,Paddy Dozio Caisleal Gaels,Brendan Sheridan(0-3 2fs) (Capt) Moytura,Johnny Granahan Moytura;Kealan Gallagher Westport St Patricks,Luke Hurley (0-3 2fs)Ballina Stephenites,Niall Peoples(0-1) Ballina Stephenites.

Subs Used;Eoghan Roe for Conor Kettrick,Killian Gallagher for Sean McGhee,Ronan Fallon (0-1)for Niall Peoples,Darren Williams for Jack Doocey

Referee: James Judge