CASTLEWELLAN recaptured the Beamish All Ireland Sevens football title after IS years when shading hosts Kilmacud Crokes 3-18 to 4-14 in an absorbing final at Glenalbyn on Saturday evening.
Fifty five teams began the day with one intention in mind and, no doubt, Castlewellan emerged worthy winners from an initial group that included Tourlestrane (Sligo), Rathnew (Wicklow) and Derrygonnelly (Fermanagh).
After dispatching these three sides with the minimum of fuss, Castlewellan locked horns with Kerry's Kerrins O'Rahillys Dublin's Erin's Isle and Lavey of Derry. The Down men squeezed through on each occasion. Admittedly they were stretched to breaking point in each but their ability to string together vital scores at the right time saw them through to the final.
Semi final conquerers of Castlehaven (Cork), Kilmacud Crokes posed Castlewellan numerous problems in the final with Ray Cosgrove, Paddy O'Donoghue, and Dublin minor captain Johnny Magee always a threat. But, in many respects, the game belonged to Castlewellan's Conor O'Neill, who kicked 10 points, and Colm McAlarney who strode forward from the back to score two goals.
Kilmacud Crokes held sway for much of the opening half - Sevens football is divided into two 15-minute halves - only for Castlewellan to take the lead for the first time, in added time, from an O'Neill point that made it 2-8 to 2-7 at the break. The Down side channelled most of their attacks through Ciaran McCabe and while he was dispossessed a lot in the first half, his second half contribution steered his side the right way.
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