Connacht dream ends for Tourlestrane
pointed the resulting free. Tourlestrane were fighting hard and lively on the attack, Egan notching over his second free on 11 minutes to put them two in front again. Both defences were working tirelessly and making it difficult to break through.
Stenson, who was impressive throughout, got his second before Castlebar Mitchels advanced again, earning a free which Stenson duly converted as it was level at four points each with 18 minutes played.
A minute later and Alan Dunne stormed up the field for Tourlestrane, sending over a brilliant point from play which was cheered loudly by the green and gold army. James Durcan pointed a free to level the game as moments later Castlebar Mitchels were awarded another free just outside the square, easily converted by Stenson as the Mayo side took the lead for the first time on 24 minutes.
It was Stenson who put them two in front as they were demonstrating more control, but Tourlestrane to their credit fought back as the half-time break approached.
Points from an Egan free and a fantastic score from play by Gary Gaughan meant the sides were seven apiece at the interval.
The second half was to be an entirely different affair, dominated by Castlebar Mitchels. Egan’s free a minute after the resumption signalled an unanswered 27 minute scoring spell of 1-6 for the Mayo side, including Kirby’s goal, which came from a turnover in their own half, James Durcan expertly passing to his teammate after a long run.
Tourlestrane did have an early goal chance themselves when Egan was threatening, Castlebar stood firm however and another from John Francis Carr went wide. Two frees from Neil Douglas had Castlebar Mitchels heading for the final with Corofin, as a late John Quinn goal chance was blocked by a Castlebar Mitchel’s defender.
Frustration saw Liam Gaughan dismissed for an off-the-ball incident, while James Leonard got the game’s last score for Tourlestrane, but it was Castlebar Mitchels who advance to meet old rivals Corofin.
TOURLESTRANE: A Bowers, C Neary, N Gaughan, B Walsh, S Dunne, A McIntyre, J Leonard (C) (0-1), S Henry, A Dunne (0-1), C Henry, B Egan (0-4, 4f), G Gaughan (0-1), L Gaughan (0-1), P Harte, J Kelly (0-1). Subs: J F Carr for S Henry (29), J Quinn for Harte (44), C Marren for S Dunne (48), J Marren for Kelly (49),
CASTLEBAR MITCHELS: R Byrne (C), J Maughan, G McDonagh, D Newcombe, N McCarney, E O’Reilly, P Durcan (0-1), A Walsh, B Moran, J Durcan (0-1), D Kirby (1-2), C Costello, D Stenson, (0-6, 5f), N Douglas (0-3, 2f 1 45), R O’Malley. Subs: S Irwin for Maughan b/c (42), S Hopkins for McCarney (51), A O’Boyle for Moran (54), M Towey for P Durcan (56), C Stenson for Costello (58).
REFEREE: J Molloy (Galway).