The Mayo Juniors took the field as underdogs against reigning Connacht champions Sligo at Ballina this evening but they emerged from the contest as fairly convincing winners, dethroning the Magpies on a scoreline of 2-10 to 1-10.
The home side’s starting team showed two changes from that which was announced in advance, with Darren McHugh and Mícheál Forde (who have both lined out at senior level earlier this year) being replaced by Conor Horan and Darren Durcan respectively. They were soon to the fore on the pitch, though, when, after the teams had traded two opening points each, Eoin O’Donoghue latched onto a loose ball and found the net.
Sean McLoughlin’s men powered on from there, with two points from Andrew Farrell and one from Cathal Freeman to push them six clear. The Yeatsmen pulled one back but then our lads then banged in a second goal, this one from Andrew Farrell, to stretch the lead to eight points.
The home team went in at half-time seven points to the good – with the score standing at 2-6 to 0-5 at that stage – and they were still seven in front well into the second half. With time running out, though, a goal for the defending champions cut the gap to four and the Magpies added a point to leave just a goal between the sides.
That was as near as they got, however, as our lads held out for a spirited win. They now play Galway, who beat Leitrim in the evening’s other semi-final, in the Connacht JFC final on 17th May.
Thanks to @MayoGAA for the excellent updates from James Stephens Park this evening.
I wonder was Darren McHugh’s and Michaeál Forde’s absence due to a reluctance of Senior management to allow them play – as apparently with Keith Higgins in the Christy Ring. It seems to be characteristic of Senior managements generally to be somewhat paranoid about injuries, even though injuries are just as – or maybe more – likely to occur in training.
I presume the Junior final will be in Carrick on Shannon with the Galway v Leitrim SFC.
Looking at the Galway Junior team that defeated Leitrim they had Sweeney,Heaney,Tierney all senior panelist starting and Kevin Walsh is also managing the juniors.
Final is on in Carrick before Galway v Leitrim senior game a good chance for Mayo supporters to see the county juniors in a Connacht final and to see Mayo seniors next opponents.
Well done to the juniors last night. I see club Championship has been put back a week as a result. Anyone have any info regarding Cillian O Connor? Was talking to a man from Ballintubber who said no sign of him coming back yet….kind of worrying at this stage.
A trip to Carrick would be flipping lovely …
Should be more chat here about the club championship pushed back. I know of many supporters that had flights booked for next weekend and now they are expected to fork out more cash because the county board decide to change so called set championship club fixtures a week before because the county juniors are playing next Sunday?
Seems to be a lot of anger over that mayo magic and ya can understand it but it must be a hell of a job for the county board trying to work round all the different scenarios .
Connacht junior final was fixed for May 17th months ago. This was not going to change for anything.
Croke park made a decision last year on a possibility of a draw in a semi final involving the Dubs .
Does anyone in the GAA at all work off facts any more?
Club football administration in this county is an absolute joke.
Quotes from the Mayo camp regarding Cillian’s injury, off TheJournal:
“He probably won’t be back to full training for about another three weeks. So we would be hoping that he will maybe take some part on 14 June, hopefully all of it, but at this stage it’s too soon to call,” said Connelly.
Reading that report on Cillian I have my doubts he’ll be up and ready for Galway .
No Cillian = we’re in trouble .