Castlebar Mitchells dominate to reclaim Mayo crown

Bob Tuohy kicked six points in a man-of-the-match performance.

Castlebar’s Bob Tuohy. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Castlebar Mitchells 1-17 Garrymore 0-12 

Back on top. In front of a 9,572 crowd, Castlebar Mitchells secured their first Mayo SFC title since 2017 with a dominant display against Garrymore.

Man of the Match Bob Tuohy kicked six points as they led from pillar to post to secure their 31st Moclair Cup. Any hope of a Garrymore comeback was extinguished in the final 10 minutes with Joe Forry curling over a sublime two-point free and Cian Walsh converting a late penalty.

In the intermediate final, Davitts downed Ballinrobe on a 0-17 to 0-23 scoreline. Mayo coach Colm Boyle came on after 40 minutes with his side ahead 0-15 to 0-10 to complete a dream year.

By half-time in the senior decider, Garrymore were clinging on. Castlebar led 0-9 to 0-4 with Bob Tuohy lording midfield. His early two-point set the tone for the entire half.

It took the underdogs 22 minutes to make any mark. An Aaron Hughes two-pointer and another by Trevor Nally just before the turnaround were their only gets. Their line tried to spark something with two first-half substitutions.

Kevin Filan’s outfit rattled off six consecutive scores and Paddy Durcan had a goal chance blocked. They had intercounty talent all over the field and it showed. Former Mayo goalkeeper Rory Byrne was in goals with Donnacha McHugh, John MacMonagle, Paddy Durcan, Tuohy and Seán Morahan out the field.

To his credit, All-Ireland winner Eoin McGreal battled to stir a fightback. A superb effort from outside the arc cut the margin to four and Trevor Nally blasted over, with a goal on, to make it three soon after.

But Touhy stood tall to settle Mitchells. Justin Commins was shown a black card for bringing down John MacMonagle before the game’s only goal.

89 days after a remarkable homecoming, there will be wild celebrations in Castlebar again.

Scorers for Castlebar: B. Tuohy 0-6 (1 tp); C. Walsh 1-1 (1 pen); J. Forry 0-4 (1f 1tpf); P. Durcan 0-2 (tp); A. O’Boyle, E. Hughes, S. Morahan, U. O’Reilly 0-1 each.

Scorers for Garrymore: D. Quinn 0-4 ( 1 tp); E. McGreal 0-3 (1 tp); T. Nally 0-3 (1 tp); A. Hughes 0-2 (tp).

CASTLEBAR MITCHELLS: R. Byrne; J. Tuohy, D. McHugh, S. Cunningham; C. Mulroy, J. MacMonagle, P. Durcan; B. Tuohy, U. O’Reilly; A. O’Boyle, N. Douglas, S. Morahan; C. Walsh, J. Forry, J. Durcan.

SUBS: E. Hughes for Douglas (45); C. Filan for J. Durcan (49); B. Joyce for O’Reilly (56); E. Gibbons for Forry (58); C. Stenson for Mulroy (60).

GARRYMORE: B. Lynskey; C. Commins, J. Oates, J. Commins; D. Dolan, L. Óg Horkan, E. McGreal; G. Golden, A. Hughes; E. Hession, A. Glennon, S. Nally; D. Quinn, C. Slattery, T. Nally.

SUBS: J. Hession for Dolan (25); C. Crowe for S. Nally (30); P. Hession for Crowe (35-38, Temp); P. Hession for T. Nally (45); M. Connolly for Glennon (60).

Referee: L. Devenney (Ballina Stephenites).