Galway county final beckons for Mayo camogie club
Castlebar Mitchels have secured their place in the Galway Junior B 12-a-Side Championship final thanks to 2-11 to 0-5 victory over Mountbellew/Moylough in the semi-final.
The game, played in Mountbellew on Saturday evening (October 3), was expected to be close after two tight contests between the sides earlier in the season, but Mitchels produced a composed and assured performance to book their place in next weekend’s decider.
Castlebar started the game brightly and settled quickly, despite facing plenty of pressure from a physically tough Mountbellew/Moylough side.
Rachel Peoples, who has been in storming form throughout the campaign, continued her excellent run, finding the net twice in the opening half. Ava Dooley also got on the scoresheet with two fine long-range points as Mitchels produced some of their best camogie in the early stages of the game.
The Castlebar defence stood firm when Mountbellew/Moylough looked to respond, with the team working hard to deny their opponents any clear opportunities, and they never got a chance to trouble Treasa Conway between the sticks.
At the other end, Mitchels made their possession count and went into the interval with a commanding 2-6 to 0-3 lead.
The second half was a much tighter affair as both teams hunted in packs and possession became increasingly hard won. Mountbellew/Moylough continued to battle and tried to find a way back into the contest but Castlebar remained composed and managed the game, well with the midfield trio of Niamh Kennedy, Ella Deely and Ava Dooley causing major problems for the Galway side.
The Mitchels defence was outstanding throughout, with Alannah Donaghy having an exceptional game at the heart of the defence. Supported by a determined performance from those around her, the Red and Yellow frustrated their opponents and kept them to just two points in the second half.
Fresh legs were introduced as Aisling Dooley, Kaitlyn McNally and Mary Ellen Ruane entered the fray, with McNally making an immediate contribution by adding the final point of the game.
Castlebar continued to work tirelessly until the final whistle, eventually running out 2-11 to 0-5 winners and securing their place in the county final.
Waiting for them in next weekend’s decider will be Ardrahan – the very same opposition Castlebar Mitchels faced in their first-ever county final appearance just three years ago.
After an impressive campaign, Mitchels are now just one game away from making history for camogie in Castlebar. One game left!
The Mitchels team in action was: Treasa Conway, Megan Deely, Alannah Donaghy, Shauna Peoples, Clodagh Quinn, Niamh Kennedy, Ella Deely (captain), Ava Dooley (0-2), Brona Joyce, Hannah Hauttmann (0-7, 4f, 1 45), Marie Beirne, Rachel Peoples (2-1). Subs: Aisling Dooley (for C. Quinn, 35), Kaitlyn McNally (0-1, for M. Beirne, 40), Mary Ellen Ruane (for H. Hauttmann, 44), Éadaoin Egan, Fiona Duffy.