Mayo captain praises side's hunger after first league win

Monaghan 1-12
Mayo         2-11

MAYO are finally off the mark in the 2016 Allianz National Football League.

Two late converted frees by goalkeeper Rob Hennelly ensured Stephen Rochford’s charges of victory over Monaghan at Clones today.

The result, which lifted Mayo off the bottom of the table, represented a triumph for the side’s hard work, energy and resolve.

Outstanding for the visitors were Ger Cafferkey, Colm Boyle and Diarmuid O’Connor, the three of whom epitimosed everything that was good about a Mayo display that lifts confidence ahead of next Sunday’s clash with Kerry at Castlebar.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, Mayo captain Colm Boyle said the side’s hunger for a win after three defeats on the trot proved the key.

He said: “We wanted it more. Even though the game appeared to be going against us in the closing stages, we simply refused to accept another defeat and fair dues to Robert Hennelly for showing nerves of steel when we needed it.

“These type of games are not easy to win. In fact, I would describe them much like championship encounters. You just cannot switch off. Hopefully we have turned a corner after this win. We have all been working very hard.”

Sean Carey, a member of the new Mayo management team, stated the ability of the players to recover when things were going against them proved critical.

“When they needed to dig in, they did so. It was all about getting the result. I think our performance levels have improved match by match and we are going to get better. All of our players who came off the bench did well for us.”

Despite losing Aidan O’Shea and Lee Keegan to black cards issued by referee Joe McQuillan, Mayo held out in the closing stages for the win they richly deserved.

Mayo: R. Hennelly (0-2f); G. Cafferkey, B. Harrison, S. Nally; M. Hall, C. Boyle, L. Keegan; S. O’Shea, T. Parsons; D. O’Connor (1-1), K. McLoughlin (0-2), C. O’Shea (0-2); E. Regan (0-3, 0-2f), A. O’Shea, C. Loftus (1-0). Subs: J. Doherty (0-1) for A. O’Shea (BC), M. Sweeney for Loftus, D. Vaughan for Keegan (BC), C. Barrett for Nally, J. Gibbons for C. O’Shea, A. Moran for Regan.

Monaghan: R. Beggan (0-1, '45); C. Walshe, D. Wylie, R. Wylie; K. Duffy, N. McAdam, F. Kelly (0-1); K. O’Connell, D. Hughes; O. Duffy, D. Malone, T. Kerr (0-1); S. Carey (0-1), D. McKenna, C. McManus (1-8, 0-8f). Subs: R McAnespie for Duffy, B McGinn for Malone, C Boyle for K Duffy, C McCarthy for McKenna.