It was a case of contrasting fortunes for the two Mayo teams in action today. The county’s U20 footballers got their Leo Murphy Cup campaign off to a positive start by beating Sligo by six points but the hurlers were beaten by two points away to Fermanagh in Division 3A of the NHL.
The hurlers’ current predicament is fairly well known at this stage. In normal circumstances, the side is backboned by players from Tooreen. They contested the All-Ireland Intermediate final just a few weeks back, however, and they understandably need a break, having played virtually the whole of 2022 and into the start of this year without one.
In their absence, the county has had to start this year’s NHL campaign with an extremely inexperienced set of players. The team lack nothing in terms of heart and effort but, inevitably, the step up to inter-county level is a tough one to negotiate.
The lads did extremely well to salvage a draw last weekend against Roscommon but this afternoon they came unstuck against Fermanagh in an entertaining tussle at Ederney that ended 2-18 to 2-16 in the Ernesiders’ favour.
We looked to have the upper hand – albeit ever so slightly – in this game until midway through the second half. In a free-scoring opening period, Adrian Phillips shot home two goals for us and the Green and Red (who were wearing the new alternative kit so it was in actual fact a case of loads of red and not a whole lot of green) went in two points in front.
As the second half progressed, however, the visitors increasingly lost their way and when Jimmy Toomey connected with a long ball in and flicked it to the net, Fermanagh retook the lead, this time for keeps. We shot a few wides after that but we had a goal chance at the death, the ‘keeper’s despairing stop from sub Kealan Gallagher ensuring the home side held on to win.
Down the road at ATU Sligo, meanwhile, the county’s U20 footballers had a happier time. They led pretty much from pillar to post against Sligo in this afternoon’s opening round of the Leo Murphy Cup and they emerged from the game with an 0-16 to 0-10 win. Next up for them is a home match against Donegal next weekend.
The one trend I think we have with this year’s u20 team is that they are tall and physically strong. It’s an athletic team.
If the team has Bob Tuohy and Sam Callinane for championship even moreso.
Slightly off topic (WJ might make this a separate thread), but what are everyone’s thoughts on the two new Mayo jersey’s that were released at the weekend?
Personally, I don’t see many people buying them and they will end up as rare as a Univet one. Maybe they will be bought as a collectors item! But seriously I think Mayo GAA has missed out on a huge opportunity here to make some serious cash. Jersey’s are a fashion item these days and those two just don’t jump out as a ‘must have’ piece of kit.
Where’s the link to it DeRman?
https://twitter.com/MayoGAA/status/1624467787564417024?t=Odm3Nq9flLYPrRHSjNVHaQ&s=19
Here you go Catcol
what time is the Mayo v Kerry game at please?
The red one looks like they are wearing training bibs, wouldnt buy it
Really disappointed with the new jerseys. I really believe that our 2nd jersey should always be white, as a throw back to 1951. A white jersey with a smaller trim of green and red would always be nice no matter what way its designed.
This has been proven in the 90s and early 00s when we have had white jerseys. The away jerseys of late have been an eye sore with no throw back or link to our past or tradition.
Goalkeeper white jersey should be the away jersey as how often do we wear away jerseys only against Kerry.
Thanks DeRman. It’s horrible I have to say. Why couldn’t they put a green hoop on it?
Our hurlers wore the new away jersey on Sunday and I have to agree it’s horrible. Thankfully we’ll rarely see it on the pitch and I can’t see anyone with fashion sense wearing it.
Totally agree with u .unstoppable. a simple white Jersey ,with a green n red hoop.dont like the new ones.
Love the Dark Blue of a few years ago