Swinford vs Ballycastle (WP)

 Swinford 0-15 

Ballycastle 1-8

Swinford 

Eoin Horkan

Swinford secured their first win of the Junior Championship campaign on Saturday evening  as they held off a late Ballycastle comeback to claim victory in their final group outing.

The home side made an excellent start, opening up an early two-point lead through Mark Forkan before Kevin McDonagh added a score from a dead ball.

Ballycastle settled themselves and began to find their feet, with Finn McDermott Cox driving through the centre before registering the north Mayo side's opening score before the ten-minute mark.

By the quarter-hour mark, Swinford had restored their advantage with Evan Rowley and Jack Ferguson both finding the target to leave a goal between the teams.

Ballycastle continued to apply pressure and, with ten minutes remaining in the half, Sam Kelly and McDermott Cox reduced the deficit to the minimum with well-taken scores.

Swinford responded strongly before the interval, enjoying their best spell of the opening half as Forkan and McDonagh added to their tallies before substitute Michael Daly also got on the scoresheet.

The oppsonets had the final say before the break, however, with Kelly converting a dead ball to leave the visitors just a goal adrift at half-time.

Swinford came out with renewed purpose after the restart and quickly extended their lead. Dylan Toner converted a 45 before Gavin Tuffy and captain Jack Ferguson added further scores to put the home side in a commanding position.

Ballycastle found it difficult to break through a resolute Swinford defence, but a number of positional changes eventually helped them get back into the contest.

One of the key moves saw Lorcan O'Donnell pushed into the full-forward line, and the change immediately paid dividends as he struck two points in quick succession to reduce the gap.

The east Mayo side  remained composed and continued to find scores as the final quarter progressed. Sean McDonagh, Toner, Ferguson and Thomas Tuffy all raised white flags as the home side once again looked to have put the result beyond doubt.

However, the visitors refused to surrender and Anthony Tighe gave them renewed hope when he found the net late on.

The visitors pressed in search of a second goal, but Swinford held firm to see out the remainder of the contest and deservedly claim their first Junior Championship victory.

The opposition  will feel they had opportunities to make the game even tighter, with a number of missed frees, particularly late on, ultimately proving costly.

They will now turn their attention to their final group game when they host Tourmakeady in two weeks' time.

Scorers:Swinford K McDonagh 0-2 (2fs),D Toner 0-3 (1 45),M Forkan 0-2,J Ferguson 0-3, G Tuffy, S McDonagh,T Tuffy,E Rowley,M Daly 0-1 each.

Ballycaste:S Kelly 0-4 (1 2ptf),A Tighe 1-0, L O’Donnell 0-2, F McDermott Cox 0-2.

Swinford:Emmet Peyton;James Lavin,Alan McLoughlin,Enda Lavin;Gavin Tuffy,Josh Smith,David Taylor;Dylan Toner,Jack Ferguson;Kevin McDonagh,Mark Forkan,Sean McDonagh;Darren Campbell,Thomas Tufffy,Evan Rowley

Subs Used M Daly (for Lavin),B Lord (for Smith),D Molloy (for Rowley), M Prendergast (for Tuffy).

Ballycastle:Jason O’Neill;Keith Carden,John Carey,Dean Kelly;Fionnan Mac Conghamhna,Kevin Healy,Michael Tighe;Shane Grier,Finn McDermott Cox;Shane Maughan,Fergal Forde,Lorcan O’Donnell;Tom Tomas,Eoin McDonnell,Sam Kelly.

Subs Used: M Forde (for Carey), A Tighe (for McDonnell.

Referee; Declan Leonard

Swinford vs Ballyastle (MN)

 Swinford 0-15

Ballycastle 1-8

Swinford 

Eoin Horkan

A late comeback from Ballycastle wasn't enough as the home side registered their first win in their final game of the Junior championship.

For the home side it was a great start going two points up early on with efforts from Mark Forkan before a deadball off Kevin McDonagh.

The north Mayo men responded when Finn McDermott Cox powered through the middle before the ten minute mark.

By the quarter hour mark there was a goal between the sides as Evan Rowley and Jack Ferguson had raised white flag.

With ten minutes left the visitors had the gap down to the minimum with Sam Kelly and McDermott Cox slotting over.

The final few minutes of the half belonged to the home side with a trio of scores, Forkan and McDonagh added to their tally along with a final effort before the break from substitute Michael Daly.

With the final kick of the half Kelly managed to narrow the gap to a goal with a dead ball.

Once the game restarted the home side pushed forward and added to their advantage as a forty-five from Dylan Toner along with efforts from Gavin Tuffy and captain Jack Ferguson.

Ballycastle were finding it hard to break down a resolute Swinford defence but they eventually narrowed the gap as they made a number of positional changes. One of these was moving Lorcan O’Donnell into the full forward line this pivotal as he raised two white flags in quick succession.

In the final quarter Swinford proved that they  would be a match for any team in the junior b competition as they extended the gap as Sean McDongagh along with Toner Fergus and Thomas Tuffy.

Just as it looked like the game was over the visitors had other ideas, a goal from Anthony Tighe reignited the contest.

They would rue a couple of missed frees during the game and towards the end.

They will host Tourmakeady in the final game of the group in two weeks time.

Swinford:Emmet Peyton;James Lavin,Alan McLoughlin,Enda Lavin;Gavin Tuffy(0-1),Josh Smith,David Taylor;Dylan Toner(0-3 45),Jack Ferguson(0-3);Kevin McDonagh(0-2 fs),Mark Forkan(0-2),Sean McDonagh(0-1);Darren Campbell,Thomas Tufffy(0-1),Evan Rowley(0-1).

Subs Used:M Daly(0-1) for Lavin (25), B Lord for Smith (40),D Molloy for Rowley (53),M Prendergast for Tuffy.

Ballycastle:Jason O’Neill;Keith Carden,John Carey,Dean Kelly;Fionnan Mac Conghamhna,Kevin Healy,Michael Tighe;Shane Grier,Finn McDermott Cox(0-2);Shane Maughan,Fergal Forde,Lorcan O’Donnell(0-2);Tom Tomas,Eoin McDonell,Sam Kelly(0-4 1f 1 2ptf).

Subs Used: M Forde for Carey (54), A Tighe(1--0) for McDonnell (55)

Referee Declan Leonard.

Motm:Jack Ferguson

The captain led by example from the start lording the midfield while adding scores and also defending quite well at times.

Other nominations 

Dylan Toner : Similar to Ferguson probable didnt ignite as much until the second half.

Sam Kelly: The late replacement for Michael Forde produced some fine scores and was definitely worth his place in the starting team and could be in with a shout for starting in two weeks time.

Claremorris vs Charlestown (WP)

 Claremorris 0-18

Charlestown 1-12

Eoin Horkan 

Aghamore

Claremorris held their nerve when it mattered most to secure a home championship semi-final at the expense of Charlestown in a dramatic encounter at Aghamore on Saturday evening.

The south Mayo side had to withstand a determined late assault from Charlestown, and with 14 men on the field for the closing stages, they showed considerable character to protect a three-point advantage.

At the heart of their victory was the accuracy of Niall Hurley, who finished with an impressive nine points, while James McCormack produced perhaps the most important moment of the evening with a superb late block to deny Charlestown a potential match-winning goal.

Claremorris settled quickest and Hurley immediately demonstrated his range when he converted a long-distance two-point free to open the scoring.

Charlestown were soon level, however, with Gareth O’Donnell showing similar confidence from outside the arc to raise an orange flag

The early exchanges were lively and Claremorris soon began to threaten in attack. Conor McGuinness  found the target as the south Mayo men built momentum, while Dara Hurley added another score before Niall Hurley registered again.

Charlestown responded in impressive fashion.

Paul Towey opened his account from distance before he combined brilliantly with Matthew Lenehan. The neat exchange opened the Claremorris defence and Lenehan finished the move clinically to the net, putting the Sarsfields in front.

The east Mayo outfit stretched their lead further when Eoin Murphy drove forward before firing over, leaving Charlestown two points to the good after 15 minutes.

Claremorris refused to panic and quickly regained their composure. Cathal Joyce pointed before the Hurley brothers began to make their influence felt. Niall converted another free for two points, while Dara also raised a two-pointer, with a Towey effort in between.

Towey was becoming increasingly influential for Charlestown and enjoyed a fascinating battle with Paul Gilmore. The Charlestown sharpshooter took control of the closing stages of the half, landing three further points as the Sarsfields continued to trade scores.

Claremorris  thought they had the final say before the interval, with Niall Hurley adding another point before Towey finished the scoring sending the sides into the dressing rooms level at the break.

With the wind at their backs after the restart, Claremorris made the perfect beginning to the second period. Mark Maloney found his range with an important score before Ben Crean responded for Charlestown.

That was followed by Claremorris' strongest spell of the contest.

Dara Hurley added another score, Joyce struck for two points and Maloney converted a 45, before Niall Hurley completed the burst of scoring. Suddenly, Claremorris had established a four-point cushion and appeared to be taking control.

Charlestown, with their championship hopes hanging in the balance, refused to let the game slip away. Towey once again led the charge, displaying his considerable accuracy from placed balls.

The pressure eventually told when Paul Gilmore received a second yellow card and was dismissed, leaving Claremorris to negotiate the final stages with 14 players.

That setback could easily have unsettled the south Mayo side, but instead they dug deep.

Charlestown continued to attack and several efforts from distance threatened to bring them back within touching distance. Claremorris goalkeeper Darragh Fallon stood firm, making crucial interventions as the pressure mounted.

With ten minutes remaining, Charlestown sensed an opportunity. Towey continued to carry the main scoring threat and another Hurley point was answered by the Charlestown forward, leaving three between the sides.

The final minutes were played at a frantic pace, with every possession taking on added significance.

Then came the decisive moment.

Towey broke through the Claremorris defence with the goal clearly in his thoughts. With the prospect of a dramatic turnaround looming, James McCormack produced a magnificent block to deny the Charlestown attacker and preserve Claremorris' lead.

It proved to be the defining defensive intervention of the evening.

When the final whistle sounded, Claremorris had done enough to secure victory and, crucially, a home quarter final 

There was further significance attached to the result as news filtered through from Castlebar that Kilmeena had secured victory. That outcome meant Charlestown would now face a relegation semi-final rather than progressing to the championship quarter-finals.

For Claremorris, meanwhile, it was a evening  of resilience, accurate finishing and late defensive bravery — qualities that could prove invaluable as they prepare for the next stage of their championship campaign.

Scorers Claremorris (N Hurley 0-9 (2 2ptfs), C Joyce 0-3 (1 2ptf), D Hurley 0-3 (1 2pt) Mark Maloney 0-2 (1 45), C McGuiness(0-1).

Charlestown: P Towey 0-7 ( 2 fs1 2ptf), M Lenehan 1-1,G O’Donnell 0-2, B Crean and E Murphy 0-1 each 

Claremorris:Darragh Fallon;Mark Noonan,Darragh Fitzpatrick,David Slattery;Paul Gimore,James McCormack,David Hurley;David O’Reilly,Conor McGuiness;Cathal Joyce,Dara Hurley,Johnny Cummins;Stephen Gill,Mark Maloney,Niall Hurley.

Subs Used: Colin Gill (for D Slattery),D Slattery (for J Cummins), Craig Cassidy (for J Noone),Matthew Macken (for D O’Reilly),James Stretton (for C Joyce).

Charlestown:Kenneth Brennan;Tadhg Horkan,Ben Conway,Owen Flannery;Tomas Goldrick,Niall Murphy,Jack Corley;Patrick Goldrick,Thomas Holton;Gareth O’Donnell,Paul Towey,Alan Woods;Ruairí Cullen,Niall Fleming,Matthew Lenehan.

Subs Used:Alan Woods (for E Murphy),Cian Towey (for C McArdle),Paddy Joe Dunleavy (for O Flannery).

Referee: Vincent Neary

Claremorris vs Charlestown (MN)

Claremorris 0-18

Charlestown 1-12

Eoin Horkan 

Aghamore

Nine points from Niall Hurley saw the south Mayo side secure a home semi final with fourteen men  against Charlestown on Saturday evening in Aghamore.

It was the perfect start for Claremorris as Nall Hurley opened the scoring with a long range two point free.The tie was level when the opposition went down the far end raising an orange flag through Gareth O’Donnell from outside the arc.

The side in blue then created two clear cut goal chances both ended up in white flags from Conor McGuinness before Dara Hurley added a second. Moments later Niall raised a third white flag . 

By the ten minute mark the tie had swung again as Paul Towey registered his first long range free before a one-two between him and Matthew Lenehan saw Lenehan firing into the net.

When the quarter hour mark struck Charlestown had a two point gap when Eoin Murphy drove through to fire over the bar.

It was then the turn of the south Mayo side to take control again as Cathal Joyce slotted an effort over before both Hurleys added two pointers Niall from a free and then Dara in between a Towey effort who was having a great battle with Paul Gilmore. 

The last seven minutes of the half belonged to Towey as he added three more to his tally in response Hurley added one final point of the half for his side.

This left the scores level at the break.

Playing with the wind in the second half Claremorris got another ideal start with Mark Maloney finding his range before Ben Crean leveled the tie. The side looking for their third win of the group hit a purple patch with D Hurley,Joyce with a two and Maloney slotting a forty-five before N Hurley finished off this scoring spree.

With their championship on the line and the news from Castlebar being updated all the time. The Sarsfields battled back into the tie led by their sharpshooter Towey  who slotted over frees with his second one resulting in a second yellow to his marker Paul Gimore. 

With four points between the sides going into the last ten minutes it looked like the east Mayo men had all the momentum but a couple of shots from range dropped into the hands of Darragh Fallon. 

Final efforts from Hurley and then Towey put three between the sides. 

With what was the final play of the game Towey broke through and it looked like a goal was on his mind but a fantastic block from James McCormack ensured victory for his side. 

Then the result filtered  through from Castlebar with Kilmeena winning meant they would be heading to relegation semi finals  instead of the quarter finals.

Claremorris:Darragh Fallon;Mark Noonan,Darragh Fitzpatrick,David Slattery;Paul Gimore,James McCormack,David Hurley;David O’Reilly,Conor McGuiness(0-1);Cathal Joyce(0-3 1 2ptf)),Dara Hurley(0-3 1 2pt),Johnny Cummins Jack Noone,Mark Maloney(0-2 1 45),Niall Hurley(0-9 2 2ptfs).

Subs Used:C Gill for David Slattery (17) D Slattery for Cummins (35),C Cassidy for Noone (45),M Macken for O’Reilly (60),J Stretton for Joyce.

Charlestown:Kenneth Brennan;Tadhg Horkan,Ben Conway,Owen Flannery;Tomas Goldrick,Niall Murphy,Jack Corley;Eoin Murphy(0-1),Thomas Holton;Gareth O’Donnell(0-2 1 2p),Paul Towey(0-7 2fs1 2ptf,Ben Crean(0-1);Ruairí Cullen,Conor McArdle,Matthew Lenehan(1-1). 

Subs Used: A Woods for Murphy (21),C Towey for McArdle (48),PJ Dunleavy for Flannery (55)

Referee: Vincent Neary

MOTM 

Niall Hurley 9 points he only put two efforts wide but also set up a couple of scores.

He was a constant thorn in the side of Charlestown.

Other mentions 

Paul Towey: Scoring seven points nto be overlooked did miss a couple of chances which could have changed the game had a great battle with Gilmore.

Paul Gilmore

Even though he got his marching orders Gilmore helped Towey well was at him from the first minute to the last and should be proud of how he defended against one of the county's top forwards

Joe Mason Piece Round 3

Mason inspires Ballinacor to Wicklow quarter-final

BALLINACOR’S reward for an impressive victory over Baltinglass on Friday night is a place in the Wicklow Junior A quarter-finals, with Joe Mason playing a starring role in a performance that he believes was their best of the group stage.

The former Cill Chomain midfielder contributed 1-1 as Ballinacor got the better of Baltinglass in a game that carried added importance, with top spot in the group at stake.

It was not the most convincing of starts from Ballinacor, with chances going astray in the early exchanges, but once they settled into their rhythm they began to cause Baltinglass serious problems.

Three goals in the first half provided the foundation for the victory, with some excellent combination play opening up the Baltinglass defence.

Mason and Jake Byrne were particularly effective in that regard, linking well as Ballinacor began to find space and move the ball with purpose.

“We were slow enough to start and missed a few chances,” Mason reflected. “But then we got going and scored three goals in the first half.”

Baltinglass did manage to rally before the break, but Ballinacor responded well and Mason was among those who helped ensure their advantage was maintained.

There was no letting up after half-time either, as Ballinacor continued to attack and contributions came from throughout the team, with John Toomey and Lark among those making their mark.

For Mason, the overall display was particularly encouraging.

“I thought it was our best game of the group stage,” he said.

Having negotiated the group with top spot secured, Ballinacor can now look forward to the knockout stages with confidence.

The quarter-final will present a different challenge, but Friday’s performance has given Mason and his teammates plenty of reason for optimism.

“We're looking forward to the quarter-finals and hopefully we can keep going beyond that,” Mason added.

With momentum behind them and Mason finding his form at the right time, Ballinacor will have their sights set firmly on a place in the latter stages of the Wicklow Junior A championship when they play Blessington's second team in two weeks time.

Sean Kelly Mayo

 From Crossmolina to London, Boston and Wexford: Sean Kelly’s road less travelled 

There have been plenty of twists and turns in Sean Kelly’s GAA career, but few could have predicted that his footballing journey would take him from Crossmolina to Boston, from London to Wexford — and, in between, see him line out against his native Mayo in an inter-county championship game.

Kelly’s journey began at home, playing his football with Crossmolina, before the pull of life abroad took him across the Atlantic to Boston.

It was there, with Christopher’s, that he enjoyed one of the highlights of his playing career.

“We won a Boston Championship in 2009 with Christopher’s out in Boston,” Kelly recalls. “And we won the All-American that year as well.”

That success was followed by another summer in Boston, giving Kelly two seasons playing Gaelic football in the United States.

But it was across the water in London where perhaps the most unusual chapter of his career unfolded.

In 2011, Kelly found himself lining out for London against Mayo — his home county — in what was James Horan’s first season in charge of the Mayo senior footballers.

There was an intriguing backstory to that encounter.

Just months earlier, Kelly had actually been given the opportunity to try and impress the new Mayo manager.

“I actually did a trial for James Horan, I'd say in the November of 2010,” he says.

The circumstances were unusual enough in themselves.

“I flew home from London for a trial. I don't really know why, but anyway, fun fact I suppose.”

The trial did not lead to a place in the Mayo set-up, but it made the events of 2011 all the more remarkable. Having considered pulling on the green and red, Kelly instead found himself wearing the London colours and facing Mayo.

It is one of those quirks of a footballer’s career that perhaps only Gaelic games can produce — a Mayo man on the opposite side, playing competitively against the county he had grown up supporting.

The years since have seen Kelly’s footballing journey continue to take unexpected directions.

At one point, he returned home and pulled on the Crossmolina jersey again, playing intermediate football during one of the Covid-affected seasons.

“I actually transferred home and played for Crossmolina one year,” he says. “I think it was one of the Covid years.”

It was another chapter in a career that has refused to follow a conventional path.

Today, Kelly is based in Wexford, where he plays his club football with St Anne’s Rathangan.

The black and blue  of St Anne’s now represents the latest stop on a journey that has already taken him through some very different footballing environments.

And there is perhaps no better illustration of the life football can give a player than the photograph of Kelly in the St Anne’s colours, flanked by his two sons, Jack and Ben.

From Crossmolina, to Boston, to London and now Rathangan, the jerseys may have changed but the love of Gaelic football has remained constant.

Along the way there was a Boston Championship, an All-American title, a London shirt worn against Mayo, a trial with his native county and a return home to Crossmolina.

For Sean Kelly, it has been a career measured not simply in medals or appearances, but in the places football has taken him — and the memories created along the way.

Next Saturday Kelly will play for St Anne’s against the Starlights hoping to continue his football career and send his adopted side into a county quarter final.

https://www.mayonews.ie/sport/gaa/from-mayo-to-london-boston-and-wexford-one-mayo-footballers-road-less-travelled-8953121