With a draw and two losses before this afternoon’s NHL Division 3A Round 4 meeting with Monaghan at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, it’s safe to say that this spring campaign wasn’t going to plan for Mayo. Today’s overwhelming win over the Farney County was, then, as welcome as it was necessary, providing renewed hope that League relegation for a second successive year can yet be avoided.
Today’s game was one-way traffic from start to finish. An early Cormac Phillips point was followed straight away afterwards by a goal from Jason Coyne and the floodgates soon opened.
A point from Daniel Huane preceded our second goal, this one scored by Eoin Delaney. With just six minutes played, we were already nearly out the gap.
Our third goal arrived on 17 minutes. Seán Kenny grabbed this one, our lead having now swelled to ten points.
Adrian Phillips bagged our fourth major just past the half-hour mark. We took a yawning 4-14 to 0-7 lead into the dressing room at the interval.
Daniel Huane got our fifth and final goal soon after the restart. This upped the gap between the teams to twenty points, the result now well beyond doubt. From there we sailed effortlessly to the finish, at which stage we had a full 27 points to spare over the visitors.
Monaghan came into this match as table-toppers, with Mayo rooted to the bottom, and the gas thing is that this is still the position this evening, though only because that daft head-to-head rule sees us sitting below Fermanagh.

As you can see from the table, though, despite our still lowly position we’re only one of two teams in the division with a positive points difference.
What we need now, of course, is another win, which would guarantee our safety in the division. We’ve only one match left in which to get it, however, and that’s against Louth. Win that one and we’re fine.
We might even make the play-offs, though we’d also need a favour from Monaghan (who’d need to beat Roscommon next weekend) to do this. After today, though, I’m not sure how well disposed they’d be on that front.
It’s also worth noting that next Saturday’s match against Louth is another away fixture – it’s set to be played at the Louth GAA Centre of Excellence in Darver. Our two losses, both narrow ones, came on the road so a first away win of the campaign will be required if we’re to be playing in this division once again next year.
Well done to the lads today and here’s for more of the same against the Wee County next weekend.
Well done lads, great see the Tooreen boys back in action. Be great to get the win for safety and get focused on the championship then.
Footballers seemed have a good workout for all the panel this morning as well with all players seeming to get about half hour, game played in thirds or quarters.
It’s just been announced that Offaly manager Liam Kearns has died suddenly. He was only 61. Such sad news, RIP.
Shocking news, God rest him. Always came across as a gentleman.
May he rest in peace.
Liam Kearns R.I.P. Seemed a total gentleman and was a shrewd manager. Played the game the right way. Sad day.
Puts the whole sport into perspective. Liam Kearns gave great dedication as a player,coach and manager over many decades and was pure gent.
Well done Hurlers.
RIP Liam Kearns . Condolences to his family and friends
Very sad news, so young. Had a great run with Tipp in 19.
Comhghairdeas to our hurlers. Cómhbrón to Kearns family. Beannacht De lena anamh dilis. He always spoke well very sad.
Fantastic score from our hurlers. Well done to all.
Liam Kearns. I was actually thinking of him yesterday, for some reason. I always admired him as a coach and felt he would have been a possible name for the Mayo job. He crossed my mind. God rest him and bless his family and loved ones. Tough times for Offaly GAA too. Thoughts and prayers with all.
Solas na bhflaitheas air!
Thats very sad news about Liam Kearns, deepest condolences to his wife, family and friends may he rest in peace. I always thought he would have been a good fit for Mayo he was an excellent manager very personable and level headed.
So sad to hear about Liam Kearns..Always came across as such a gent during interviews..Hard to believe he was training in the morning and passed away by nightfall..
R.i.P. Liam
off thread – is there any update on injuries to Brickenden / Walshe / Harrison