MAYO SENIOR FOOTBALL champions Castlebar Mitchels got their three-in-a-row bid off to an impressive start on Saturday with an 11-point win against Crossmolina Deel Rovers.
With county star Paddy Durcan named at centre-back, Mitchels managed to hold their hosts scoreless for nearly the entire first half and led 1-7 to 0-1 at the break, Crossmolina’s only point coming in the 29th minute.
Castlebar put the result beyond any doubt with a second goal in the 41st minute, sending a warning shot to their title rivals, which might well include Breaffy, the side they beat in the 2015 decider.
It was the youngest of the O’Shea brothers who stole the show for Breaffy, full-forward Conor kicking 1-8 against Davitts to help his side to a comfortable 4-18 to 0-9 win.
Hollymount-Carramore were just as impressive in Saturday’s other Group 2 game, beating Ballaghadereen 4-15 to 1-6.
Elsewhere, Cillian O’Connor starred with an individual 1-9 as Ballintubber racked up an easy 10-point victory over Kiltane, running out winners by 1-15 to 1-5, while in Group 1, 2016′s beaten finalists Knockmore came from six points down at the break to earn a draw against Charlestown Sarsfields.
With the strong breeze at their backs in the first half, Charlestown capitalised and led by 2-3 to 0-0 after just 15 minutes thanks to a Niall Murphy double.
County boss Stephen Rochford watched from the stands as Knockmore managed to eat into that massive 10-point margin but still trailed by six at the break, 2-7 to 1-4, before Kevin McLoughlin’s goal shortly after the restart gave them hope.
Knockmore drew level at 2-10 apiece late on and could have won it at the death but Sean Rutledge’s shot hung to the left and wide.
There was drama in the other game in Group 1 as well as last season’s intermediate champions Westport showed that they can hang tough in senior football, Alan Kennedy’s late free clinching a 1-10 to 2-7 draw against Garrymore.
Mayo SFC – Saturday’s Results
Group 1
- Charlestown Sarsfields 2-10 Knockmore 2-10
- Westport 1-10 Garrymore 2-7
Group 2
- Breaffy 4-18 Davitts 0-9
- Ballaghadereen 1-6 Hollymount-Carramore 4-15
Group 3
- Ballintubber 1-15 Kiltane 1-5
Group 4
- Crossmolina Deel Rovers 1-7 Castlebar Mitchels 2-15
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