The county’s U17s captured the Connacht title this evening at MacHale Park, beating Galway by 0-13 to 0-7. It’s Mayo’s first provincial title at this level since 2019 and the win now sees them paired against Kildare next weekend in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
I didn’t get to see the match this evening but, by all accounts, our lads were full value for their six points win. Once again, Ronan Clarke and Niall Hurley were to the fore as the lads backed up their unbeaten run through the round-robin phase by winning the decider. Well done to them on doing so.
Match report from Colm Gannon in the Mayo Advertiser is here.
We’ll have a ‘Final Whistle’ pod providing post-match reaction and analysis from MacHale Park, as well as chat about this morning’s qualifier draw, online in a bit.
Mayo: David Dolan (0-1, free); Rio Mortimer, John MacMonagle, Lorcan Silke; Liam Maloney, Colm McHale, Paul Gilmore; Jack Keane (0-1), Luke Feeney (0-1, mark); James Maheady, Dara Hurley, Diarmuid Duffy; Cathal Keaveney, Ronan Clarke (0-4, three frees), Niall Hurley (0-5). Subs: Conor Kelly for Jack Keane, Dylan Gallagher for Dara Hurley, Zac Collins (0-1) for James Maheady, Séan O’Dowd for Cathal Keaveney, John Finn for Liam Maloney
Great display from all over the field. A 10 point win would not have flattered Mayo.
Also seems to be a strong panel as management not afraid to use subs bench early and all did well. An exciting team.
Some of the lads on display tonight really impressed me and managment seem to have great respect from the group. Looking forward to seeing them play again on Sunday.
Brilliant stuff altogether. Fair play to the lads, their management and families. So many great performances but have to say Hurley looks a class act. Quick turnaround for the next game!
All the lads were very good, especially the two forwards you mentioned WJ and I thought the full back was outstanding too.
Top class display from the team, controlled the game from the off. Sean Deane has done a serious job on them, very well coached. Regardless of what happens in this competition, theirs a few players there who have serious potential, and I think we’ll be seeing a few of them on the senior team in 3 or 4 years time.
Well done to our minors. I like how they mix up their play. Best group we’ve had since 2013.
Well coached, good talent.
Wonderful defending by all but MacMonagle was excellent.Niall Hurley also some prospect.
I don’t care what anyone says…it was a good weekend for Mayo…..
I am happy.
Let’s see how we go
Great result. Cohesive team. They’re better than they think. Looking forward to seeing them against Kildare and hopefully further again. Well done to the whole squad and management. Maigheo abú
Not as fluid as the previous win over Galway but a win is a win and Mayo fully deserved it. Full back excellent again. The two lads inside Clarke and Hurley were a handful in the first half…brilliant running and the direct fast ball into them suited their ball winning ability. That pattern didn’t continue in the 2nd but look these are very young lads. I like the look of this team. Looks to be well coached. Could go far this year.
So delighted for these young lads and their management team. They have been brilliant to watch so far this year and play a really refreshing style of football. McMonagle for me was MOTM – he is the real deal – though Hurley was outstanding too. There were a lot of notable performances though and I thought the subs did brilliantly. It wasn’t a flawless performance but it was five times more enjoyable to watch than the game on Saturday was. A lovely way to round off the weekend!
Well deserved win with some good individual displays. Niall Hurley has it all, pace, balance, good shooting and a brain. However while I enjoyed the win, something will have to be done about all the hand passing as it’s very boring and we probably kicked more than most teams especially in first half.
Should be slight favourites against Kildare but they will be no pushover as they have a very decent team.
Brilliant win and the gap really should have been more. Left Galway in it for a while but gradually made their dominance pay.
Well balanced team. The lads on the inside line are top class but every line is pretty strong.
A good win and a Connacht title. They can also get better and they’ll know that.
Well done minors.
Some promising talent there. Kildare will be a tough one next weekend.
A very enjoyable game of football to watch . A brilliant performance few lads really stool out . I had the young lad with me from Stephanie’s so he was hoping Luke Feeney would have a good game and he certainly wasn’t to be disappointed. It was refreshing to watch lads take the shot on and be courageous not afraid if they miss it.
Fantastic win.. Well coaches but what struck me was the obvious bond / love the the Mayo manager has for the group. Great to see .
Mcmonagle reminded me of Kevin Cahill a bit ..
As Gráinne uaille stated on the other thread the referee should have pulled the lads on the gumshields issue. It was a joke yesterday with one or two chewing on it in full view of the ref. Even at senior level seeing the players put the gumshields in their sock as soon as they get on the field sends out the wrong message. A few yellow cards dished out would put an end to it in every game. Rant over.
Hi,
Really liked the Commentary on Mid West while watching TG4. One could feel part of the game in a more informed way.
Ciarán 2.
When Darragh Canavan came on for Tyrone at the weekend the first thing he did was jam the gumshield into his sock.
Wasn’t there a Kildare player sent off on a second yellow for not wearing one in the league while back?
Hard to believe the maturity and calmness from a group of 15, 16 and 17 year olds. Anyone know if the game on Sunday will be available on TG4 youtube or elsewhere. Will be almost midnight when I get back from the senior game on Saturday and at my age will find it hard to get mobile again on Sunday. Shame that Mayo and Kildare minors couldn’t be on before the two teams’ senior clash. Anyway I think Sean Deane and his coaches are doing a splendid job and getting a real tune out of this team.
What a controlled display
Riio Mortimor Marshalled the defence
The three half backs controlled the game
Mc gonigle controlled midfield
The two Hurley’s sensational particlurly Niall as were all the forwards
Even we don’t win the all Ireland that is the best mayo minor team I have seen in ever
John MacGonagle was at full back. Seems a natural in the role. I liked how he passes the ball so precisely. He really focusses on a good kickpass even on simple ones.
Agree with all above about MacGonagle, if some of these lads stay at it and remain serious injury free, we’ll have a nice little crop knocking on the senior door in a few years time. Anyone who saw Mullin or The Neale’s Tommy Conroy playing underage, could see they were different class. I got that feeling about a few of our lads last night. You don’t want to be putting pressure on young bucks, but its hard to not feel optimistic for the future after watching some of them. David Dolan looks an extremely competent goal keeper, can lash them over from long range too. The lad probably hasn’t finished growing yet, so could really see him having a bright future.
Best of luck to them and managment against Kildare.
Kildare Gaa twitter saying minor game at 2.30pm Sunday
I was impressed with Dolan. They look like a team who are strong in nearly every line, even the lads who came off the bench made an impact.
I think it is unfair to have a 5 day turnaround to 1/4 final, especially after winning a provincial title, you want to enjoy the moment. I hope they can park the win last night now and put full focus on Sunday. Dublin and Kildare will be able to prepare for Mayo and Galway, both our squads will be lucky to get 1 full session in before the game.
Yeah, playing the game 5 days later is a farce and grossly unfair on both Connacht teams, but especially Mayo as provincial champions. It’ll be very tough for them to put in a top performance next weekend.
Does anyone know why this happened??
Also – Galway have lost 3 matches and are still in the championship!? I think it’s great that teams have more games – it’s essential for progression etc but still in the competition after losing more games that you’ve won is a bit daft to say the least!
Some good performers tonight but John mcgonigle head and shoulders above the rest .I’ve been to all the games and he’s been mayos best every time . Another great defender coming soon
How many are underage next year of starters or came on?
Rio Mortimer is one.
The present management team should be left with this panel of players when their year is finished, as a development panel going forward. This is what has happened here in Meath with their A.I. wining team of 2021.
I heard Deane say that they played Dublin earlier on this year in a challenge. That would give some (tenuous) form line for Kildare. Anyone know how that one went?