Search Results for 'Neil Lydon'

It might not have had as much on the line as their meeting in the Mayo GAA Senior Football Championship semi-final last year, but Castlebar Mitchels and Westport gave the culminating game of the Mayo GAA Senior Football League the ending the competition deserved last Saturday evening in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

There were a few surprises last weekend, and this weekend could see a few more in the intermediate championship.

There has been little time for rest for Castlebar Mitchels since the club scene swung back into action in recent weeks, they had last weekend off after their win over Ballintubber in the county final - but come tomorrow afternoon it is back to business as they welcome Leitrim champions Mohill to MacHale Park with a place in the semi-final of the Connacht championship up for grabs.

A rainbow split the sky before throw in Sligo on Saturday afternoon and Castlebar Mitchels followed it to the end to find their way into a home Connacht semi-final against Corofin next Sunday in MacHale Park.

Over the next two days, MacHale Park in Castlebar will host four big games as the quarter-finals of the Mayo GAA Senior Football Championship are down for decision. Our Sports Editor, Colm Gannon previews the action.

For the second time in three years, Castlebar Mitchels dream of bringing the Andy Merrigan Cup home with them was stopped at the final stage by opposition from Dublin. Unlike this time two years ago when the Mitchels adventure came on the back of their first county title in 20 years, this was a Mitchels side who had came back again this year and saw off last year’s champions Corofin, before seeing off Crossmaglen in an epic semi-final. However, they met a Ballyboden St Enda’s side who had a game plan that worked to a tee, with runners from deep causing Castlebar all sorts of problems and the static nature of the Mitchels attack playing straight into their hands. Castlebar will be disappointed with how they performed on the day and will know they could have done much better than they did.

If anyone had any doubts about how much Castlebar Mitchels want to be bringing the Andy Merrgian Cup to Castlebar in March, they got their answer in Breffni Park on Saturday night. Mitchels are a team packed full of talented footballers from one end of the field to the other, but on Saturday night heart, guts, fight and determination were as much responsible for their one point win over Crossmaglen Rangers as any amount of talent.

When St Patrick's day rolls around Castlebar Mitchels will be hoping they are preparing for a perfect ten out of ten record in championship games in the All Ireland final. The Mayo and Connacht champions have played in and won eight championship games since they opened their account on a rainy Saturday evening in Josie Munnelly Park against Ballaghaderreen early last summer.

Just like in the county final Neil Douglas’ eye for goal was the crucial deciding factor for Castlebar Mitchels on Sunday when they claimed their second Connacht senior club title in three years in Tuam Stadium, in the process they sent the current All Ireland champions packing from the competition.