“Ara shut up ya auld teapot” the young voice shouted down at the older man sitting next to me last Sunday. The older man and his wife were at McHale Park supporting Killala and had earlier remonstrated with the crowd of Neale supporters behind them. The Neale boys were beginning to realise that the game was slipping away from them and I can understand why they were getting a little frustrated. In such a scenario every refereeing decision can be criticised and this time was no different. Every time a Killala player went to ground the ref was derided and goaded by the boys, very often in not too flowery tones! The craic was good and, in a selfish way, I was kind of enjoying the exchange of words. For a start I had never heard anyone referred to as a “teapot” before! Despite The Neale throwing the kitchen sink at Killala in the final quarter Killala held out for the victory that had the man beside me delirious with excitement. He let a roar out of him at the final whistle that, mostly, was an expression of great satisfaction at seeing his team win, but, also a sign of the none-too-little pleasure he took in giving the figurative two-finger salute to the young cubs behind him! He was having the last laugh today. His wife was also beaming from ear to ear after the final whistle and it was a joy to witness both taking flight onto the McHale Park pitch to embrace neighbours’ children who had guaranteed a night or two of fun for all in the town of Killala. I am sure there was no place under heaven as good as Killala last Sunday night or indeed Monday as I hear the celebrations continued for a day or two!
Breaking out of the gates early
While the celebrations were ongoing on the pitch after the junior final, I could see both senior teams going through their warm up routines on the top pitch near the clubhouse. There was an air of anticipation for a good open game of football from two quality sides and, with the weather clearing as match time approached, I really expected a rip- roaring contest. Both Charlestown and Ballaghaderreen have a lot of quality footballers in their sides and despite the fact that the Ballagh boys were red hot favourites, I fully expected Charlestown to really put up it up to them. Ballaghaderreen won the toss and decided to play with the wind into the bacon factory end in the first half. They were out of the blocks like bullets and simply magnificent in those opening minutes. They kicked points for fun and from all angles as they set the scene for what was ultimately a famous victory. Barry Regan was on fire at full-forward and was proving a right handful for Enda Casey, who had been redeployed to pick him up after the opening score from the big man. Joe Dillon, picked at corner-forward but playing on the half- forward line, rarely gets a mention after games for the many unselfish runs he makes for team mates but I thought he was terrific on Sunday. He epitomised the great team ethic that was so noticeable in the Ballaghaderreen side this year. When you have quality forwards the key ingredient is fast early ball from half backs and midfield. James Kilcullen and Barry Kelly guaranteed lots of ball for a very sharp forward line and, to be honest, Ballaghadereen were full value for their significant lead at half time.
Charlestown really struggled at midfield rarely winning any primary possession in this most crucial sector. . David “Ginger” Tiernan is the heart beat of Charlestown football. Unfortunately “Ginger” never really got going last Sunday, and I subsequently heard he struggled with a leg injury coming into the game. Tom Parsons never got going in the first half and one got the impression that he might have been suffering a little jet lag before he headed down under for the international rules series on Monday!! The first half was a rout and the 11 to to points scoreline at half time was a true reflection of the game up to that juncture. In that first half Ballaghaderreen were direct, slick and very effective at midfield and didn’t give an inch to the Charlestown forwards. The smallish crowd (there was a much larger crowd at the Crossmolina semi-final the previous week ) were convinced that there would be no way back for Charlestown.
Too little too late
They were proved right when, within a few seconds of the restart, Ballagh tagged on another point to stretch their lead to ten. It appeared that they were home and hosed at this stage, but Charlestown are a proud team and from this point on they really made a game of it. With 15 minutes to go they managed to get the goal that reignited their challenge and only trailed by four points at that stage. Within seconds of that goal Dermot Higgins went on a mazy run that took him from his own half back line right into the 14- yard line. With two forwards lurking to his left and now inside the full back line he elected to pull the trigger himself and narrowly missed what was a great goal opportunity that would have ensured a grandstand finish. This was the moment that will ensure a few sleepless nights for Dermot. Inexcusably, they missed two frees within minutes of that goal chance from in front of the posts which would have further reduced the deficit. These misses not only drew gasps of despair from team mates but had the Charlestown supporters cringing on the terraces too. They gamely kept plugging away until the final whistle but to no avail. So the Ballagh boys have finally shaken the monkey off their backs and delivered on all that underage promise of the last few years.
This title was a long time coming and it is from now on that we will see how good they are at managing success. They have an exceptionally talented squad of players at the moment, but have they the real leaders on and off the field to make a name for themselves on the bigger stage? They are without doubt a real quality side and like most winners they played with great heart and confidence in every round. Pearse Hanley’s return to the fold was timely and he brought a stabilising influence to their defence. His physique and presence at the heart of the defence was a significant factor in their victory. His presence there allowed Stephen Drake to move into the full back line where he was immense throughout the campaign. He has, arguably, been the most consistent defender in this year’s club championship and he, along with team captain Gary Conway, refused to bend the knee in this year’s campaign when big men and, more important big hearts were required. Pearse will not be around for the launch towards a Connacht title and he will be missed. Maybe it might present an opportunity for David Kilcullen to get his footballing career back on track. If they can manage to plug that gap I feel they have sufficient quality to have more than a decent run in this year’s race for an All-Ireland club title. Sure why not, haven’t we here in Mayo one of the best club championship competitions in the country? Barry Kelly was terrific too and he deservedly won the man of the match award for a powerful display that epitomised a strength of character that we haven’t witnessed from this club in recent years.
