Mayo GAA News 9 July 1997
Charlestown 0-14 Mayo Gaels 2-5
Stephen Healy reports from Charlestown
Charlestown advanced to the Intermediate Championship quarter final by virtue of this hard fought three point victory over a tough and resilient Mayo Gaels side in a well contested game played at a blustery O'Hara Park on Sunday.
Charlestown were full value for their three point win as they were sharper all over the field but they couldn't put away a dogged Mayo Gaels challenge and consequently the game was in doubt right up until the final whistle.
The home side played against the breeze in the first period and played some sparkling football and went into the interval with a comfortable four point cushion with the scores seven points to three in their favour.
The platform for Charlestown's dominance in the first period was a sparkling display from the Sarsfield backs who tackled heroically and never gave the Mayo Gaels forward division any chance to get any kind of momentum going.
The midfield alliance of Ollie Conway and Mark Caffrey more than held their own while the forward division secured the scores with Colm Horkan, Sean Higgins, and John Casey all to the force.
In the second period however, Mayo Gaels got the tonic start they needed when full forward Damien Quinn took advantage of some hesitant Charlestown defending and crashed the ball to the net to give the visitors new hope.
The Sarsfields responded however to this crashing blow and tacked on some great points with Sean Higgins, Colm Horkan and Francis Butler restoring Charlestown's four point cushion with ten minutes remaining.
With the Sarsfields in full flight it looked good for the home side but Mayo Gaels came right back into the equation when full forward Quinn battled his way through and seemed to punch the ball to the net which the referee allowed to stand much to the consternation of the Sarsfields defenders who were adamant that it should be disallowed.
This score brought the minimum between the sides but it was the Sarsfields who again found the right answers at the critical time and half back Dermot Higgins roared forward and hammered over a truly brilliant point to steady the Sarsfields ship.
The evergreen Tommy Warde quickly followed with a superb point from a tight angle and county star John Casey set the seal on a workmanlike Sarsfields with a fine long range effort to seal a deserved victory.
The Sarsfields team and mentors know however that there is room for much improvement and truth to tell the victory should have been much more comfortable but for some poor shooting and bad passing which spoiled some fine approach work.
Stars for the Sarsfields were defender Dermot Higgins who gave a truly memorable performance of defending and attacking which broke the hearts of Mayo Gaels side. Time and again he made several lung bursting runs forward which left a trail of Mayo Gaels defenders in his wake and slotted two super points to cap a memorable performance.
Robert O'Connell was not far behind Higgins with the quality of his play. His anticipation was uncanny and he cleared his lines with the minimum of fuss and turned defence into atack at every opportunity. Aidan Higgins, Ray Lenihan, and Paul Colleran also had their moments and contributed to a fine defensive performance.
The midfield duo of Ollie Conway and Mark Caffrey can feel pleased at their contribution while in attack Colm Horkan was deadly accurate both from play and placed balls and was a thorn in the Mayo Gaels defence all afternoon.
Tommy Warde, the veteran of many a championship campaign had a magnificent match winning ball under all kinds of pressure and using it intelligently at all times.
County star John Casey was a vital figure in the Sarsfields victory winning great possession and using it to good effect. He was a great presence throughout and was always there to help out his defence when the pressure was on and with his pace and ball carrying ability got the Sarsfields out of trouble on numerous occasions.
Declan Casey, Sean Higgins, and Francis Butler too had fine games and got some quality scores.
Mayo Gaels were best served by James Duggan, James Fallon, Declan McDonagh, Damian Quinn, Ollie Brown, and Aidan McDonagh who were the pick of their challenge.
Charlestown: Robbie O'Connell, Ray Lenihan, Paul Colleran, Dermot Higgins(0-2), Stephen Healy, Aidan Higgins, Ollie Conway, Mark Caffrey(0-1), Francis Butler(0-1),Sean Higgins(0-3),John Casey(0-1), Declan Casey, Colm Horkan(0-5),Tom Warde(0-1).
Mayo Gaels: John Boyle, Enda Staunton, James Duggan, Dermot Browne, Aidan Heneghan,Aidan McDonagh, Kenny Staunton, James Fallon, Dermot Flaherty, Chris Fallon, John Byrne(0-2), Peter Browne, Damian Quinn(2-0), Charlie Regan(0-1), Ollie Browne. Subs: Declan McDonagh(0-2) for Pete Browne; Aidan Jennings for Aidan Heneghan; Mike Moran for Enda Staunton.
Ref: J. Reynolds-Westport
