It was a case of contrasting fortunes for the first two Mayo teams in action this weekend. The county’s U20 footballers rounded off a productive Development League campaign with an emphatic win over Louth in the final of the Leo Murphy Cup competition but the Mayo hurlers were well beaten by Kerry in their opening round NHL Division 2A fixture.
Mike Solan’s U20s – details of the team that lined out here – were always in charge against Louth at Páirc Seán MacDiarmada this afternoon. They bossed the early exchanges, leading by nine points to four after twenty minutes and by half-time they were 0-11 to 0-5 in front, with five of that total coming from Paul Towey.
The win was assured via two second half goals. Frank Irwin netted the first and sub Kuba Callaghan bagged the second, with the Mayo lads running out comfortable winners by 2-17 to 0-8.
The win – and the trophy – makes it a good start to 2020 for this year’s U20 group. The next hurdle facing them is a tough one as they meet Galway in the Connacht Championship quarter-final on 8th February. Today’s win should, though, send them into that one in good spirits.
The county’s hurlers will have nothing easy this spring, bracketed as they are with a number of quality teams in this year’s NHL Division 2A.
Kerry were always a cut above our lads at MacHale Park today in a game in which the result was never really in doubt. The visitors were starting to pull clear by half-time – at which point they led by 1-11 to 0-8 – and with the wind behind them after the break they eased away to a 2-24 to 0-13 win. Next up for the hurlers is a trip to Loughiel to take on Antrim next weekend.
Well done to everyone involved
Great win for Mayo under 20s . Congratulations to all concerned, keep it going now for championship is coming up fast, great to have silverware at this time of year.
In Ck-on-Shannon today – attendance meagre. Mayo put together some exhilerating moves usually ending in points, particularly in 1st half. Lost their way during the 1st 10mts of 2nd half but then put it to bed with the 1st goal. Irwin, Moran & Towey classy up front. Hession at 7 very influential, however against a slicker forward line today’s defence would have been exposed. Overall, it was a satisfying performance.
Yea and the seniors pulled it out of the fire. Fair play.
Only saw it on tv but it looked like we were on an ice rink.
A good Mayo performance in Carrick yesterday but in truth Louth were very limited. Still they showed a few alarming weaknesses in the Mayo defence at times.Goood to see Kuba Callaghan back in action as a sub. I thought that the Mayo full forward line, for all of Towey’s and Moran’s skills, looked bit short in physique at times. The Connacht semifinal will be a different kettle of fish.