The county’s hurlers fell to defeat over at McGovern Park in Ruislip this afternoon. London were always to the fore in this NHL Division 2B clash and were worthy 4-11 to 1-10 victors.

We got the first point of the day at McGovern Park but once London had responded with three points on the spin, they never really looked back.

Their first breakthrough came in the 13th minute. Mark Dwyer’s goal for the Exiles put them five in front but the visitors hit back in kind three minutes later, when Shane Crennigan got his stick to a loose ball in the square and found the net.

London had two further green flags before the break, though, as they took control of proceedings. Matthew Freaney bagged the first, while captain Benny McCarry got the other one. The home side went in at half-time five in front.

The play was even enough in the second half, with the scoring rate slowing down but Mayo were unable to cut the gap any closer than four points. Then, with injury time approaching, substitute Conor McCormack rammed home London’s fourth major of the day to seal a ten-point win.

Next up for our lads in what is already proving a tough League campaign is a trip to Celtic Park in a fortnight’s time to face Derry. The Oakleafers had a big win over Wicklow today at Aughrim. We drew with the Garden County in the opening round last weekend so, if that line of form means anything, this suggests we’ll do well to come away from the trip north with any tangible reward.