Castlebar Mitchels ready for big stage

Castlebar Mitchels (Mayo) 0-13 Crossmaglen Rangers (Armagh) 0-12: The conviction shown in their impressive fightback from five points down convinced Castlebar joint-manager Declan O’Reilly this team has what it takes to win an All- Ireland club football title.

Slaying the six-time champions Crossmaglen in Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday, after salvaging what looked like a lost cause, was all the proof he needed they can go one step further than two years ago and strike a psychological blow for Mayo by winning in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day.

“It’s the same old thing that anybody in Mayo will tell you, it’s about the present team,” said O’Reilly. “Ballyboden will be formidable opposition but we have learned that once you hit the big stage on the big day, you’ve got to make everything count.