Knock On

Westport 11
Castlebar 13

By Trevor Watson of the Mayo News

Westport Scorers: K. Corcoran Try. R. Cafferky 2 pens
Castlebar Scorers: F. Casey Try. R. Feeney 2 pens, 1 conv

A Richie Feeney penalty deep, deep in injury time, has sent Castlebar through to the Cawley Cup Final as they disposed of their near neighbours and great rivals in the most dramatic of fashions. It wasn’t a free-flowing rugby spectacle but this Cawley Cup semi Final Clash had all the ingredients you would expect for a high-octane derby match.

There will be tired bodies in both towns tonight as both teams really relished the physicality of the encounter. Castlebars tackling, in particular, was of the highest quality with Enda Murphy, Nigel Byrne and Paul Coady leading by example.

Stand in referee, Paul Jennings, did very well in difficult circumstances and was consistent throughout. The Bulls had the territorial advantage early on and should have taken the lead but Ryan Cafferky was off target with two penalties.

With the exception of a couple of individual breaks it was midway through the half before Castlebar really got into the game and put their “off-loading” game into gear. This earned them a penalty on 25 minutes which Richie Feeney struck beautifully between the posts to give the visitors a 3-0 lead.

As the half ticked on, Castlebar improved again. A massive hit from Paul Coady on Cafferky set up another Westport attack. Alex Goor, who carried with purpose all day, was involved twice as Castlebar recycled brilliantly time and again and took the play right up to the bulls line. The Bulls defence held firm but JPWalsh received a yellow card.

One of the moments of the match came just before the break when an Eddie Walsh kick was collected by Mark Staunton deep in his own 22. The winger set off on a mazy, stepping, jinking run beating a plethora of would-be tacklers.

He was hauled down just short of the Bulls line and yet again the home side escaped.

There was just time for another Castlebar penalty before the break but Feeney was off target.

Westport began the second half with some high risk rugby – running the ball from deep in their own red zone. And they got caught, conceding a penalty for not releasing, but Feeney was off target again, this time from a much easier distance.

Castlebar had the better of the opening second half exchanges and were really piling on the pressure. Their try came 10 minutes into the half and was top class. A brilliant Mark Staunton chip and chase set up camp in the Westport 22. Quick ball to the backs saw Nigel Byrne run a brilliant line and set up a ruck under the posts. Quick ball again from Cusack to Coady to Kirby saw Fintan Casey brilliantly finish a well worked try in the far corner. Feeney’s magnificent touchline conversion was the perfect compliment to a perfect try.

As often happens, the score seemed to ignite The Bulls and, led by JP Walsh and Kevin Corcoran they drove on.

Cafferky was wide again but made amends on 54 minutes after a great initial break from JP Walsh.

Midway through the half Danny O’Toole’s break took Westport deep into the opposition 22. The ball was flashed through the hands of Owen Joyce, Eddie Walsh and JP Walsh who drew the cover and sent Corcoran racing in at the corner. The score had quality stamped all over it.

Crucially, Cafferky missed the difficult conversion. Castlebar held onto the slim lead but lost Christy Cusack to a yellow card and saw another penalty go wide as the finish line loomed. Deep in injury time, further Westport pressure yielded another penalty on the 22 and this time Cafferky held his nerve and kicked the Bulls into the lead for the first time.

But Feeney had the final say with a wonderful strike from just inside half way. Drama right to the end in a closely fought physical encounter.

Westport: E. Walsh, J. McHugh, M. Walsh, D. O’Toole, K. Corcoran, R. Cafferky, E. Joyce. M Walsh, M. O’Brien, P. Conway, S. O’Boyle, O. Mullowney, P. Corcoran, C. Hastings, JP. Walsh.

Subs Used: Lyndon Jones, Alan Burke,

Castlebar: R. Feeney, M. Staunton, T. Kirby, N. Byrne, F. Casey, P. Coady, C. Cusack. R. Hughes, M. Coyle, K. Cox, A. Goor, D. Mulgrew, G. Prendergast, E. Murphy, D. Staunton.

Subs Used: Brian Flannery, Sean Faulkner.

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