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A goal
in the 59th of the game by Belmullet full-forward John McAndrew
drew his side from a two point deficit to a one point victory over
Castlebar Mitchell's in this close U-16 B Hurling Championship decider
played in Ballyvary on Sunday evening last. This victory saw a hurling
title come back to Erris for the first time since the Belmullet
Seniors claimed the TJ Tyrell Cup in 2001.
Castlebar started the game the strongest registering two points
within the opening five minutes with Stephen Fitzgerald and Andrew
Butler opening their accounts. Belmullet's opening point soon followed
as Ger Barrett pointed from play with Belmullet midfielder AP Barrett
scoring a point for his side to draw level soon after. Heated exchanges
in the opening half then ensued but referee Paddy Carney soon got
to the root of the problem by issueing a total of five yellow cards
to cool down proceedings. John McAndrew for the Erris men then recorded
his first point of the game in the 15th minute before his namesake,
Tom McAndrew converted a 20 metre free to the back of the Castlebar
to leave his side four in front. Castlebar's reliable freetaker
Andrew Butler then drew his side back into contention with three
unanswered points in the closing five minutes of the opening half
to leave the scoreling at 1-3 to 0-5 in favour of the Erris lads.
Belmullet got off to the best possible start at the beginning of
the second half as from their first attack corner forward John Reilly
expertly rounded the advancing Castlebar goalkeeper to finish with
style. Conor Douglas for Castlebar and John McAndrew for Belmullet
then exchanged points before Castlebar then began a mini revival
as they recorded three more points in succession without reply.
The first of these came from substitute John Cotter with his first
touch after being introduced while the remaining brace both came
from the ever reliable Butler, one from play and the other from
a dead ball. With Castlebar two points down and with time running
out, Butler then recieved a ball about 40 metres from goal before
heading off towards the Belmullet goal. His long range effort for
goal flew into the bottom corner of the net to give what seemed
like a winner for the county-town side. However, with time almost
up in the 59th minute, John McAndrew for Belmullet raced through
to finish low to the Castlebar net in style to give his side the
winner. Soon after match officicial Paddy Carney drew a halt to
proceedings to the delight of the large band of Belmullet travelling
support.
After the game, Adrian Hession - on behalf of the Mayo Hurling Board
- presented the U16 B Shield to AP Barrett captain of the Belmullet
side.
Belmullet: P. Neary; J. Birrane, D. Conroy, P. McGuire; W.
Carey, N. Carolan, K. Rowland; G. Gallagher, AP. Barrett (0-1);
T. McAndrew (1-0), G. Barrett (0-1), C. Carey; D. Donoghue, J. McAndrew
(1-3), J. Reilly (1-0).
Castlebar: M. Gallagher; D. Mulvihill, K. Lavelle, D. Moran;
C. Hayes, P. Fitzgerald, O. McCarney; C. Douglas (0-1), S. Fitzgerald
(0-1); A. Butler (1-7), L. Murphy, P. Redmond; D. McTighe, O. Murtagh,
D. O;Malley. Sub: J. Cotter (0-1).
Ref: Paddy Carney (Tooreen)
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