Mayo claim the honours
Sligo 1-10 Mayo 3-12
A productive
closing quarter gave Mayo the early season honours at Markievicz Park after
they claimed the North West Cup following a seven-point defeat of Sligo in the
decider last Saturday afternoon.
Two goals in
the final 15 minutes ensured the reigning All-Ireland champions came out on top
after a competitive encounter, the score-line of which unfairly reflects on
what was an industrious Sligo effort.
Despite
trailing 1-5 to 0-5 at half time, Sligo started the second half well and
regained the initiative after Liam Gaughan’s superb 45th minute
goal, with Patrick O’Connor’s free soon after giving Sligo a 1-8 to 1-7 lead.
However,
Mayo took over proceedings thereafter with Sligo unable to extend their
advantage.
Kevin Quinn
and Ryan O’Donoghue – two of Mayo’s most prominent performers – hit the net in
the closing stages to help their side into the ascendency once again, while
James Carr (2), O’Donoghue and Sean Conlon all raised white flags in the same
period.
The opening
half was a cagey affair, with Sligo initially showing quite well. Darragh
Cummins’ fine 11th minute score was the pick of the first half, with
the sides locked together at 0-2 apiece after 15 minutes.
The
difference at the break proved to be Colm Reape’s 25th minute goal –
indeed, the winners’ also spurned two clear-cut goal chances in the first half
– and despite clawing their way back in front after the break, Sligo ended on
the wrong side of the 3-12 to 1-10 scoreline.
Paul Taylor’s
side now have a break from competitive action before they enter the Connacht
Championship versus Roscommon on March 22nd.
Sligo: D
Cafferkey; N Mullen, L Nicholson, M Gordon; D Cummins (0-1), P McNamara, S
Power (0-1); G O’Kelly-Lynch, P Kilcoyne; M Clarke, P O’Connor (0-4, 3fs), S
Connolly; J O’Reilly (0-1), A McLoughlin (0-1), K Cawley. Subs used: L Gaughan
(1-1), J Perry (0-1), S Carrabine, D Kilgallon
Mayo: S
Kilker; M Park, S Brennan, S Conlon (0-1); D Cannon, J Forkan, G McHale; J
Kelly, J McCormack (0-1); C Hennelly (0-1), J Lyons (0-1), R O’Donoghue (1-3);
B Duffy, J Carr (0-4, 3fs), C Reape (1-0). Subs used: K Quinn (1-1), M Ruane, S
Akram, M Murray
Referee: J
White (Donegal)